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):  August 6, 2007 (August 2, 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))

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Item 5.02.  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

In its Form 10-Q filed April 27, 2007, Capitol Bancorp Ltd. (“CBC”) disclosed that it had entered into an amendment to the employment agreement of its Chief Executive Officer, Joseph D. Reid (the “Amendment”), subject to full board approval.

On August 2, 2007, the full Board of Directors of CBC met and provided final approval of the Amendment, with an effective date of August 2, 2007.

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:  August 6, 2007 CAPITOL BANCORP LTD. (Registrant)     /s/ Cristin K. Reid                                                                      Cristin K. Reid Corporate President

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