Exhibit 23(c)

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

   As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our report dated October 1, 2001,
included in BB&T Corporation's Form 8-K dated October 5, 2001, and to all
references to our firm included in this registration statement. Our report
dated January 27, 2001, included in BB&T Corporation's financial statements
previously filed on Form 10-K, our report dated April 27, 2001, included in
BB&T Corporation's financial statements previously filed on Form 8-K, and our
report dated July 19, 2001, included in BB&T Corporation's financial statements
previously filed on Form 8-K/A and incorporated by reference in this
registration statement are no longer appropriate since restated financial
statements have been presented giving effect to a business combination
accounted for as a pooling of interests.

/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina,
December 18, 2001