Exhibit 99(a)

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



     In connection with the Quarterly Report of Coastal  Financial  Corporation,
Inc.  (the  "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2002 as filed
with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the  "Report"),  I, Michael C.
Gerald,  Chief  Executive  Officer  of  the  Company,  certify,  pursuant  to 18
U.S.C.ss.  1350,  as adopted  pursuant to ss. 906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of
2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

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/ Michael C. Gerald
                                                    -------------------------
                                                    Michael C. Gerald
                                                    Chief Executive Officer
                                                    August 14, 2002


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