EXHIBIT 99


                              DESERT COMMUNITY BANK

                    PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

                           To Be Held On July 25, 2003

               THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

     The undersigned shareholder of DESERT COMMUNITY BANK hereby appoints James
W. Howard and Thomas C. Mangione, or either of them, to represent the
undersigned at the meeting of the shareholders of DESERT COMMUNITY BANK to be
held on July 25, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. (local time), at Desert Community Bank,
3740 South Pecos-McLeod, Las Vegas, Nevada 89121, and at any adjournments or
postponements thereof, and to vote the number of shares the undersigned would be
entitled to vote if personally present at the meeting on the matters listed
below.

     When properly executed, this proxy will be voted in the manner directed by
the undersigned shareholder and in the discretion of the proxy holder as to any
other matter that may come before the meeting of shareholders and at any
adjournment or postponement thereof. If no direction is given, this proxy will
be voted "FOR" the proposal to approve and adopt the Plan of Share Exchange and
in the discretion of the proxy holder as to any other matter that may properly
come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

     WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE,
DATE, AND PROMPTLY RETURN THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE SO
THAT YOUR SHARES MAY BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF THE PLAN OF
SHARE EXCHANGE.

     1. Proposal to approve and adopt the Plan of Share Exchange, dated as of
May 16, 2003, between and among CAPITOL BANCORP LIMITED and the shareholders
of DESERT COMMUNITY BANK to exchange the shares of common stock of DESERT
COMMUNITY BANK not now held by CAPITOL BANCORP LIMITED for shares of common
stock of CAPITOL BANCORP LIMITED according to the terms of the Plan of Share
Exchange. After the share exchange, DESERT COMMUNITY BANK will be a wholly owned
subsidiary of CAPITOL BANCORP LIMITED.

     [ ] FOR      [ ] AGAINST      [ ] ABSTAIN

     2. Election of Directors

     Number of shares entitled to vote: _______
     CHOOSE A OR B

     A ___ Vote for the nominees listed.

     B ___ Withold authority to vote for all nominees listed below.

     ___ Robert J. Andrews         ___ James W. Howard
     ___ Tracy R. Brouchard        ___ Charles L. Lasky
     ___ Michael J. Devine         ___ Thomas C. Mangione
     ___ Rosa M.K. Dominguez       ___ John S. Lewis
     ___ Tom R. Grimmett           ___ Joseph D. Reid III
     ___ Garry L. Hayes            ___ Leland D. Pace
     ___ Stephen D. Stiver

     3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the Meeting.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, OR IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, IT SHALL
BE VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 1 AND 2.

Dated:  ______________, 2003

                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Number of Shares of Common Stock

                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Signature (and title if applicable)

                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Signature (if held jointly)


                                             Please sign your name exactly as it
                                             appears on your stock certificate.
                                             When shares are held by joint
                                             tenants, both should sign. When
                                             signing as attorney, executor,
                                             administrator, trustee or guardian,
                                             please give full title as such. If
                                             a corporation, please sign in full
                                             corporate name by the President or
                                             other authorized officer. If a
                                             partnership, please sign in
                                             partnership name by authorized
                                             person.