Exhibit 23 (a)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 33-57859, 33-57861, 333-02899, 333-27755, 333-35879 and 333-64074-01) and Form S-8 (Nos. 33-52367, 33-57865, 33-57867, 33-57871, 333-03989, 333-50035, 333-69823, 333-81471, 333-36540, 333-36538 and 333-52278) of BB&T Corporation of our report dated February 4, 2004, relating to the financial statements, which appears in this Form 10-K.

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Greensboro,

North Carolina

March 8, 2004