Exhibit 99 (a)


                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

        In connection with the Form 10-K of National Bankshares, Inc. for the
year ended December 31, 2002, I, James G. Rakes, President and Chief Executive
Officer of National Bankshares, Inc., hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that:

(1) such Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, fully complies with the
requirements of section 13(a) or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
and

        (2)the information contained in such Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2002, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
condition and results of operations of National Bankshares, Inc.


/s/ James G. Rakes
- ---------------------------
James G. Rakes
Chairman
President and Chief Executive Officer