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 September 30, 2004, I, John R. Maxwell, President and Chief
Executive Officer of James Monroe Bancorp, Inc., hereby certify pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section1350, as adopted pursuant to Section906 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 September 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
         September 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