EXHIBIT 32.1

Certification

Pursuant To 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant To

Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of North Fork Bancorporation, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, John Adam Kanas, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

      (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

      (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ John Adam Kanas

John Adam Kanas

President and Chief Executive Officer

March 11, 2005