EXHIBIT 23.1a
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Capitol Bancorp Limited
Lansing, Michigan
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our reports dated March 10, 2008 relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of Capitol Bancorp Limited's internal control over financial reporting appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. We also consent to the reference to us under the caption "Experts" in the proxy statement/prospectus.
/s/ BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
Grand Rapids, Michigan
February 11, 2009