Exhibit 23.1
[LETTERHEAD OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP]
Consent of Independent Public Accountants
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report, dated
January 27, 2000, included in Port Financial Corp.'s (formerly Cambridgeport
Mutual Holding Company and subsidiaries) Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1999 and to all references to our Firm included in this Registration
Statement.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
October 23, 2000
