Exhibit 32 (i)

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

        In connection with the Form 10-Q of National Bankshares, Inc. for the
quarter ended September 30, 2006, I, James G. Rakes, President and Chief
Executive Officer of National Bankshares, Inc. (Principal Executive Officer),
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-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, 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-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2006, 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
(Principal Executive Officer)