8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):    July 26, 2007

CAPITOL BANCORP LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Michigan (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 001-31708 (Commission File No.) 38-2761672 (IRS Employer Identification No.)

Capitol Bancorp Center

200 Washington Square North, Lansing, Michigan 48933

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)  (Zip Code)

(517) 487-6555

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01.  Regulation FD Disclosure.

On July 26, 2007, Capitol Bancorp Ltd. announced a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, payable September 3, 2007, to shareholders of record as of August 9, 2007.  The announcement is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Item 7.01.

SIGNATURES

 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

            Date:  July 26, 2007 CAPITOL BANCORP LTD. (Registrant)     /s/ Joseph D. Reid                                                                            Joseph D. Reid Chief Executive Officer

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Press Release dated July 26, 2007.

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EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

           Capitol Bancorp Center 200 Washington Square North Lansing, MI 48933   2777 East Camelback Road Suite 375 Phoenix, AZ 85016 www.capitolbancorp.com                                              

Analyst Contact:     Media Contact: Michael M. Moran Chief of Capital Markets 877-884-5662 Stephanie Swan Director of Shareholder Services 517-372-7402

For Immediate Release

Capitol Bancorp Declares 60th Consecutive Quarterly Cash Dividend

LANSING, Mich., and PHOENIX, Ariz.: July 26, 2007: The Board of Directors of Capitol Bancorp Limited (NYSE:CBC) today announced the Corporation’s 60th consecutive quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per common share. The dividend declared today is payable September 3, 2007, to shareholders of record as of August 9, 2007.

Capitol Bancorp’s Chairman and CEO, Joseph D. Reid, said “We are pleased to maintain the current dividend level as we continue to move forward with plans to diversify the Corporation geographically.”

The Corporation opened four new community banks during the first half of 2007 in the states of California, Colorado and Washington.  Additionally, Capitol Bancorp currently has applications pending for twelve de novo community banks in Arizona, California, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oregon and Texas.

About Capitol Bancorp Limited

Capitol Bancorp Limited (NYSE: CBC) is a $4.4 billion national community bank development company, with a network of more than 50 separately chartered banks and bank operations in 14 states. It has the distinction of having the most individual bank charters in the country.  Capitol Bancorp Limited identifies opportunities for the development of new community banks, raises capital for and mentors new community banks through their formative stages, and provides efficient services to its growing network of community banks. Each community bank has full local decision-making authority and is managed by an on-site president under the direction of a local board of directors, composed of business leaders from the bank’s community. Founded in 1988, Capitol Bancorp Limited has executive offices in Lansing, Michigan, and Phoenix, Arizona.

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