Exhibit 99(a)

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

        In connection with the Form 10-QSB of James Monroe Bancorp, Inc. for the
quarter ended June 30, 2002, I, John R. Maxwell President and Chief Executive
Officer of James Monroe Bancorp, Inc., hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
ss.1350, as adopted pursuant toss.906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the
best of my knowledge and belief, that:

(1) such Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 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-QSB for the quarter ended June 30,
2002, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and
results of operations of James Monroe Bancorp, Inc.

 /s/ John R. Maxwell
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John R. Maxwell
President and Chief Executive Officer