EXHIBIT 32.1

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                                   AS ADDED BY
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

      In connection with the Quarterly Report of Provident Bankshares
Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2005 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, Gary N.
Geisel, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company,
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss.1350, as added by Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

        (1)  The Report 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 the Report fairly presents, in all
             material respects, the financial condition and results of
             operations of the Company as of and for the period covered by the
             Report.


                               /s/ Gary N. Geisel
                               -------------------------------------------------
                               Gary N. Geisel
                               Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

August 9, 2005