EXHIBIT 23.1b Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants The Board of Directors First Carolina State Bank Rocky Mount, North Carolina We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement of Capitol Bancorp Ltd. on Form S-4 of our report dated February 20, 2003 on the financial statements of First Carolina State Bank as of and for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001. We also consent to the reference to us under the caption "Experts" in the proxy statement/prospectus. /s/ DIXON ODOM PLLC Sanford, North Carolina January 21, 2004