Exhibit 32(a)

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350


         In connection with the Form 10-Q of James Monroe Bancorp, Inc. for the
quarter ended March 31, 2005, 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, 2005, 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, 2005, 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