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 June 30, 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-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 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-QSB for the quarter ended
         June 30, 2004, 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