EXHIBIT 23



CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


Capitol Bancorp Ltd.
Lansing, Michigan


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference and use of our report dated
January 31, 2002, which appears on page 25 of Capitol Bancorp Ltd.'s Annual
Report to shareholders (Financial Information Section) for the year ended
December 31, 2001, in that corporation's previously filed Form S-3 Registration
Statement No. 33-71774 for its Shareholder Investment Program.



BDO SEIDMAN, LLP


/s/ BDO Seidman, LLP
- ----------------------------

March 15, 2002
Grand Rapids, Michigan