AGREEMENT TO AMEND CONSULTING AGREEMENT

                                  EXHIBIT 10.17
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                     AGREEMENT TO AMEND CONSULTING AGREEMENT

         This agreement is entered into this ___ day of December,   2006, between
___________________________   (the   "Director") and PennFed   Financial   Services,
Inc. ("PennFed").

         WHEREAS,   a   consulting   agreement   was entered   into on March 1, 2003,
between the Director and PennFed (the "Consulting Agreement").

         WHEREAS,   in   connection   with   the   merger   of   PennFed   into New York
Community   Bancorp,   Inc.   ("NYCB"),   it is   necessary   to amend the   Consulting
Agreement   to provide   for a lump sum   change in control   payment in lieu of the
monthly   benefit the   Director   would have been   entitled   to had the   Agreement
continued absent the merger.

         WHEREAS, the Director will be obligated to continue to perform services
on behalf of NYCB for the remainder of the Consulting Agreement term.

         NOW THEREFORE,   in   consideration   of the premises and mutual covenants
and conditions hereinafter set forth, the Director and PennFed agree