EXHIBIT 23.1b CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Sun Community Bancorp Limited Phoenix, Arizona We hereby consent to the use in the proxy statement/prospectus constituting a part of Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Capitol Bancorp Limited of our report dated January 29, 2001, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Sun Community Bancorp Limited which is contained in the proxy statement/prospectus. We also consent to the reference to us under the caption "Experts" in the proxy statement/prospectus. /s/ BDO SEIDMAN, LLP Grand Rapids, Michigan January 23, 2002