EXHIBIT 23.1b


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


East Valley Community Bank
Chandler, Arizona

We hereby  consent to the use in the proxy  statement/prospectus  constituting a
part of  Amendment  No. 1 to the  Registration  Statement on Form S-4 of Capitol
Bancorp  Limited of our report dated  January 31, 2002 relating to the financial
statements  of East  Valley  Community  Bank  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

Los Angeles, California
November 15, 2002