EXHIBIT 32(b)
18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certification



I hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, that the accompanying Form 10-Q of Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
("Bancorp") for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004, fully complies
with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and that the information contained in this
Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and
results of operations of Bancorp.


By:  /S/ PHILIP J. MANTUA
     ----------------------------------------------------
     Philip J. Mantua
     Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
     Date: November 5, 2004