Exhibit 5.1

                                November 27, 2002

Resource Bankshares Corporation
3720 Virginia Beach Boulevard
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452

     Re:  2001 Stock Incentive Plan

Dear Sirs:

     In connection with the registration on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of 100,000
additional shares of Common Stock, par value $1.50 per share, of Resource
Bankshares Corporation (the "Company"), which may be issued pursuant to the
terms of the Company's 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Plan"), we
hereby advise you that it is our opinion that upon issuance pursuant to the
terms of the Plan, the shares of Common Stock which may be issued pursuant
thereto will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to use of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration
Statement and to all references to our firm in the Registration Statement. In
giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are acting within the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act and the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

                                      Very truly yours,


                                      /s/ Kaufman & Canoles, P.C.
                                      Kaufman & Canoles, P.C.

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