EXHIBIT 32(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 March 31, 2004, 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 to ss.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 March 31, 2004, fully complies
         with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Act
         of 1934; and

     (2) the information contained in such Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
         31, 2004, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
         condition and results of operations of James Monroe Bancorp, Inc.


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