EXHIBIT 32(a)

                      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 March 31, 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/ HUNTER R. HOLLAR
     -------------------------------------
     Hunter R. Hollar
     President and Chief Executive Officer
     Date: May 6, 2004