Exhibit 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of Capitol  Bancorp  Ltd. of our report dated  January 31,
2002, relating to the consolidated  financial statements of Capitol Bancorp Ltd.
appearing in the Company's 2001 Annual Report to  shareholders  incorporated  by
reference  in the  company's  annual  report  on Form  10-K for the  year  ended
December 31, 2001.



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

Grand Rapids, Michigan
July 26, 2002