EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 28, 2003 relating to the financial statements, which appear in Newtek Business Services, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2002. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

November 17, 2003

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