EXHIBIT 23.1a


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


Capitol Bancorp Limited
Lansing, Michigan

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the proxy
statement/prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement on Form
S-4 of Capitol Bancorp Limited of our report dated January 31, 2002, relating to
the consolidated financial statements of Capitol Bancorp Limited 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.
We also consent to the reference to us under the caption "Experts" in the proxy
statement/prospectus.


/s/ BDO SEIDMAN, LLP


Grand Rapids, Michigan
July 31, 2002