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

CAPITOL BANCORP REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

2ND QUARTER 2008 HIGHLIGHTS

·   Assets Exceed $5.3 Billion

·   Year-over-Year Growth in Loans (20%)

·   Linked-Quarter Growth in Assets (22%) and Deposits (21%)

·   Total Capital in Excess of 13% of Total Assets and Strong Support

as Measured by Traditional Risk-Based and Tier 1 Ratios

·   Bank Openings in North Carolina and Arizona

LANSING, Mich. and PHOENIX, Ariz.: July 17, 2008: Capitol Bancorp reported today earnings of $623,000 for the second quarter of 2008 and assets exceeding $5.3 billion.

Earnings per diluted share for the quarter were $0.04, a decrease from the $0.37 per diluted share reported in the second quarter of 2007.  Net income for the quarter approximated $623,000, a decrease from approximately $6.3 million reported for the second quarter of 2007.

With year-over-year growth of 20 percent and linked-quarter growth approximating 22 percent, consolidated assets exceeded $5.3 billion, compared to the $4.4 billion at June 30, 2007.  An increase of 20 percent brought total portfolio loans to approximately $4.6 billion from $3.8 billion at June 30, 2007.  Total deposits increased by 18 percent to approximately $4.2 billion from the $3.5 billion reported at June 30, 2007, and reflect 21 percent growth on a linked-quarter basis as Capitol Bancorp continues to focus on building core funding sources within its franchise during these volatile times.

Capitol’s Chairman and CEO Joseph D. Reid said, “Although Capitol continues to confront a turbulent financial sector, we remain committed to our operating discipline that is designed to build long-term value for our shareholders through a strategy of geographic diversification and balance sheet strength.  We continue to maintain solid double-digit core capital support levels as measured by the Corporation’s leverage, tier 1 and total risk-based capital ratios most recently reported at approximately 13 percent, 14 percent and 15 percent, respectively.  These strong balance sheet measurements have been subsequently fortified with the successful consummation of our public trust preferred offering in early July.”

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Capitol Bancorp has continued its geographic diversification initiatives in 2008 through the addition of four de novo affiliate banks.  In January, Adams Dairy Bank, located in Blue Springs, Missouri opened, followed by Mountain View Bank of Commerce, in Westminster, Colorado in February, Colonia Bank in Phoenix, Arizona in April, and Pisgah Community Bank, located in Asheville, North Carolina, in May.  Capitol Bancorp’s national network of banks currently consists of 64 banks operating in 17 states.

Quarterly Performance

Consolidated net operating revenues decreased slightly to approximately $48.7 million for the second quarter of 2008, compared to approximately $51.4 million reported for the same period in 2007.  The net interest margin, reflecting continued compression in this challenging environment, was 3.5 percent in the second quarter of 2008.  The net interest margin was affected by many factors, including recent dramatic rate cuts over the past year by the Federal Reserve, competitive market pricing on both sides of the balance sheet, the impact of an elevated level of nonperforming loans, and modestly lower levels of noninterest-bearing demand deposit accounts year-over-year.  Noninterest income expanded nearly 11 percent year-over-year, reflecting the continued positive results of Capitol’s expanding wealth management initiatives and modestly expanding core fee income sources at its affiliate banks, helping to mitigate further softening in its mortgage banking revenue.

Net income for the quarter approximated $623,000, a decrease from approximately $6.3 million reported for the second quarter of 2007.  Challenges resulting from a weakening national economy, especially felt in the Great Lakes Region, were contributing factors to the decrease in earnings.  As Capitol continues to leverage infrastructure investments made during 2006 and 2007, operating expenses increased 13 percent year-over-year, tied primarily to the launching of twelve de novo banks during that same period.  Diluted earnings per share decreased from $0.37 reported in the second quarter of 2007 to $0.04 for the same period of 2008.  The second quarter provision for loan losses increased to approximately $9.0 million over the nearly $4 million for the same period in 2007.

Six Month Performance

Revenue slightly exceeded $97 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, a slight decrease compared to the approximate $101 million for the year-ago period.  Diluted earnings per share of $0.16 for the first half of 2008 decreased from the $0.73 reported last year.  Solid noninterest income growth (14 percent year-over-year) was unable to offset the effects of a compressed margin, reserve building and infrastructure investment.  Bank performance and related earnings contribution of the Corporation’s mature banks in its Great Lakes Region was a major reason for the earnings decrease.

Balance Sheet

With total capital resources in excess of $707 million at quarter-end, the total capital-to-asset ratio exceeded 13 percent, providing solid support for the Corporation’s more than $5.3 billion balance sheet.  To augment Capitol’s already sound capital position, in early July 2008, the Corporation completed an offering of $33.5 million of trust preferred securities issued by Capitol Trust XII.  Several of Capitol’s bank subsidiaries purchased securities in this offering.  Joseph D. Reid stated, “We are pleased with this successful non-equity capital raise which serves to reinforce our strong capital position, and ensures that during these uncertain times Capitol is well-positioned to support our existing franchise as well as anticipated continued future growth.  We seek to continue to ensure that during volatile times such as this, that historically result in

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significant turmoil and upheaval for the financial sector, well-positioned entities like Capitol Bancorp with available resources can opportunistically capitalize on opportunities within our existing footprint.”

Net charge-offs increased to 0.60 percent in the second quarter of 2008 from the 0.49 percent reported in the first quarter of 2008 and 0.18 percent reported for the corresponding period of 2007.  The ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets was 2.6 percent at June 30, 2008 compared to 2.2 percent reported at March 31, 2008.  The allowance coverage ratio of nonperforming loans decreased modestly from 69 percent at March 31, 2008 to approximately 67 percent at June 30, 2008, while the allowance for loan losses increased to 1.40 percent of portfolio loans at June 30, 2008 from 1.38 percent at March 31, 2008.  The Corporation remains disciplined in its approach to portfolio review and analysis and, as a result, the second quarter provision for loan losses was roughly 1.3 times second quarter net charge-offs (approximately 1.5 times coverage for charge-offs through the first six months of 2008).

About Capitol Bancorp Limited

Capitol Bancorp Limited (NYSE: CBC) is a $5.3 billion national community bank development company, with a network of 64 separately chartered banks with operations in 17 states.  It is the holder of 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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CAPITOL BANCORP LIMITED
SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Three Months Ended									Six Months Ended
	June 30									June 30
	2008			2007						2008			2007
Condensed statements of operations:
Interest income	$	76,137		$	81,254					$	155,640		$	159,093
Interest expense		33,945			35,712						71,513			68,870
Net interest income		42,192			45,542						84,127			90,223
Provision for loan losses		9,019			3,990						17,977			7,922
Noninterest income		6,477			5,843						13,042			11,428
Noninterest expense		47,788			42,214						92,593			84,037
Income (loss) before income taxes		(2,078	)		8,644						(1,882	)		16,679
Net income	$	623		$	6,298					$	2,814		$	12,569
Per share data:
Net income - basic	$	0.04		$	0.37					$	0.16		$	0.75
Net income - diluted		0.04			0.37						0.16			0.73
Book value at end of period		22.29			22.48						22.29			22.48
Common stock closing price at end of period	$	8.97		$	27.33					$	8.97		$	27.33
Common shares outstanding at end of period		17,317,000			17,256,000						17,317,000			17,256,000
Number of shares used to compute:
Basic earnings per share		17,144,000			16,961,000						17,143,000			16,829,000
Diluted earnings per share		17,177,000			17,184,000						17,179,000			17,222,000
	2nd Quarter			1st Quarter			4th Quarter			3rd Quarter			2nd Quarter
	2008			2008			2007			2007			2007
Condensed statements of financial position:
Total assets	$	5,340,400		$	5,066,683		$	4,901,763		$	4,654,012		$	4,439,279
Portfolio loans		4,564,522			4,467,628			4,314,701			4,030,384			3,801,773
Deposits		4,157,634			3,945,754			3,844,745			3,673,950			3,523,346
Stockholders' equity		385,965			387,433			389,145			390,466			387,917
Total capital	$	707,232		$	708,111		$	701,473		$	689,643		$	668,067
Key performance ratios:
Return on average assets		0.05	%		0.18	%		0.28	%		0.53	%		0.58	%
Return on average equity		0.64	%		2.25	%		3.48	%		6.15	%		6.54	%
Net interest margin		3.50	%		3.62	%		4.17	%		4.42	%		4.53	%
Efficiency ratio		98.19	%		92.38	%		91.23	%		82.70	%		82.15	%
Asset quality ratios:
Allowance for loan losses / portfolio loans		1.40	%		1.38	%		1.35	%		1.31	%		1.30	%
Total nonperforming loans / portfolio loans		2.10	%		1.99	%		1.68	%		1.31	%		1.10	%
Total nonperforming assets / total assets		2.63	%		2.20	%		1.82	%		1.42	%		1.17	%
Net charge-offs (annualized) / average portfolio loans		0.60	%		0.49	%		0.41	%		0.45	%		0.18	%
Allowance for loan losses / nonperforming loans		66.77	%		69.41	%		80.03	%		100.21	%		118.28	%
Capital ratios:
Stockholders' equity / total assets		7.23	%		7.65	%		7.94	%		8.39	%		8.74	%
Total capital / total assets		13.24	%		13.98	%		14.31	%		14.82	%		15.05	%

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

of 1995.  Forward-looking statements include expressions such as "expects", "intends", "believes" and "should" which are not

necessarily statements of belief as to the expected outcomes of future events.  Actual results could materially differ from those

presented due to a variety of internal and external factors.  Actual results could materially differ from those contained in, or implied

by, such statements.  Capitol Bancorp Limited undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements or

reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

Supplemental analyses follow providing additional detail regarding Capitol's results of operations, financial position, asset quality

and other supplemental data.

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CAPITOL BANCORP LIMITED
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended June 30					Six Months Ended June 30
	2008			2007		2008			2007
INTEREST INCOME:
Portfolio loans (including fees)	$	74,238		$	77,178	$	151,569		$	150,702
Loans held for sale		236			390		536			1,336
Taxable investment securities		102			193		235			401
Federal funds sold		1,008			3,109		2,221			5,653
Other		553			384		1,079			1,001
Total interest income		76,137			81,254		155,640			159,093
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits		26,989			30,267		57,677			58,596
Debt obligations and other		6,956			5,445		13,836			10,274
Total interest expense		33,945			35,712		71,513			68,870
Net interest income		42,192			45,542		84,127			90,223
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES		9,019			3,990		17,977			7,922
Net interest income after provision
for loan losses		33,173			41,552		66,150			82,301
NONINTEREST INCOME:
Service charges on deposit accounts		1,457			1,187		2,790			2,292
Trust and wealth-management revenue		1,563			1,117		3,208			2,154
Fees from origination of non-portfolio residential
mortgage loans		1,063			1,305		1,984			2,612
Gain on sales of government-guaranteed loans		643			550		1,223			1,350
Gain on sales of other non-portfolio commercial loans		343			309		660			629
Realized gains on sale of investment securities
available for sale		2			-		45			-
Other		1,406			1,375		3,132			2,391
Total noninterest income		6,477			5,843		13,042			11,428
NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee benefits		27,730			26,437		53,278			52,509
Occupancy		4,500			3,552		8,904			7,049
Equipment rent, depreciation and maintenance		3,008			2,590		5,874			5,232
Other		12,550			9,635		24,537			19,247
Total noninterest expense		47,788			42,214		92,593			84,037
Income (loss) before income taxes (benefit) and
minority interest		(8,138	)		5,181		(13,401	)		9,692
Income taxes (benefit)		(2,701	)		2,346		(4,696	)		4,110
Income (loss) before minority interest		(5,437	)		2,835		(8,705	)		5,582
Minority interest in net losses of consolidated
subsidiaries		6,060			3,463		11,519			6,987
NET INCOME	$	623		$	6,298	$	2,814		$	12,569
NET INCOME PER SHARE:
Basic	$	0.04		$	0.37	$	0.16		$	0.75
Diluted	$	0.04		$	0.37	$	0.16		$	0.73

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CAPITOL BANCORP LIMITED
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
	(Unaudited)
	June 30			December 31
	2008			2007
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	215,686		$	196,083
Money market and interest-bearing deposits		26,414			26,924
Federal funds sold		258,179			129,365
Cash and cash equivalents		500,279			352,372
Loans held for sale		11,314			16,419
Investment securities:
Available for sale, carried at market value		13,219			14,119
Held for long-term investment, carried at
amortized cost which approximates market value		30,165			25,478
Total investment securities		43,384			39,597
Portfolio loans:
Loans secured by real estate:
Commercial		2,022,820			1,917,113
Residential (including multi-family)		805,924			698,960
Construction, land development and other land		840,820			852,595
Total loans secured by real estate		3,669,564			3,468,668
Commercial and other business-purpose loans		811,290			768,473
Consumer		53,775			48,041
Other		29,893			29,519
Total portfolio loans		4,564,522			4,314,701
Less allowance for loan losses		(63,904	)		(58,124	)
Net portfolio loans		4,500,618			4,256,577
Premises and equipment		61,393			60,031
Accrued interest income		18,621			19,417
Goodwill and other intangibles		73,496			72,722
Other assets		131,295			84,628
TOTAL ASSETS	$	5,340,400		$	4,901,763
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	669,516		$	671,688
Interest-bearing		3,488,118			3,173,057
Total deposits		4,157,634			3,844,745
Debt obligations:
Notes payable and short-term borrowings		440,485			320,384
Subordinated debentures		154,177			156,130
Total debt obligations		594,662			476,514
Accrued interest on deposits and other liabilities		35,049			35,161
Total liabilities		4,787,345			4,356,420
MINORITY INTERESTS IN CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES		167,090			156,198
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, no par value,  50,000,000 shares authorized;
issued and outstanding:  2008 - 17,317,094 shares
2007 - 17,316,568 shares		273,149			272,208
Retained earnings		113,407			117,520
Undistributed common stock held by employee-
benefit trust		(580	)		(586	)
Market value adjustment (net of tax effect) for
investment securities available for sale (accumulated
other comprehensive income/loss)		(11	)		3
Total stockholders' equity		385,965			389,145
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	5,340,400		$	4,901,763

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CAPITOL BANCORP LIMITED

Allowance for Loan Losses and Asset Quality Data

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES ACTIVITY (in thousands):

	Periods Ended June 30
	Three Month Period						Six Month Period
	2008			2007			2008			2007
Allowance for loan losses at January 1	$	61,666		$	47,052		$	58,124		$	45,414
Loans charged-off:
Loans secured by real estate:
Commercial		(2,772	)		(137	)		(3,444	)		(296	)
Residential (including multi-family)		(1,013	)		(338	)		(3,163	)		(693	)
Construction, land development and    other land		(1,761	)		(114	)		(3,120	)		(316	)
Total loans secured by    real estate		(5,546	)		(589	)		(9,727	)		(1,305	)
Commercial and other business-purpose loans		(2,496	)		(1,382	)		(4,297	)		(3,189	)
Consumer		(55	)		(97	)		(189	)		(211	)
Other		(34	)		--			(34	)		--
Total charge-offs		(8,131	)		(2,068	)		(14,247	)		(4,705	)
Recoveries:
Loans secured by real estate:
Commercial		600			7			718			66
Residential (including multi-family)		376			64			460			128
Construction, land development and    other land		197			13			223			14
Total loans secured by    real estate		1,173			84			1,401			208
Commercial and other business-purpose loans		153			257			583			431
Consumer		24			27			65			72
Other		--			7			1			7
Total recoveries		1,350			375			2,050			718
Net charge-offs		(6,781	)		(1,693	)		(12,197	)		(3,987	)
Additions to allowance charged to expense		9,019			3,990			17,977			7,922
Allowance for loan losses at June 30	$	63,904		$	49,349		$	63,904		$	49,349
Average total portfolio loans for period ended     June 30	$	4,541,327		$	3,708,267		$	4,472,508		$	3,633,402
Ratio of net charge-offs (annualized) to average portfolio loans outstanding		0.60	%		0.18	%		0.55	%		0.22	%

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CAPITOL BANCORP LIMITED

Selected Supplemental Data

ASSET QUALITY (in thousands):

	June 30 2008		March 31 2008		December 31 2007
Nonaccrual loans:
Loans secured by real estate:
Commercial	$	23,379	$	21,497	$	19,016
Residential (including multi-family)		17,293		17,094		13,381
Construction, land development and other land		40,790		36,704		29,756
Total loans secured by real estate		81,462		75,295		62,153
Commercial and other business-purpose loans		8,716		7,833		5,782
Consumer		137		86		66
Other		18		--		84
Total nonaccrual loans		90,333		83,214		68,085
Past due (>90 days) loans:
Loans secured by real estate:
Commercial		--		503		113
Residential (including multi-family)		1,409		3,407		1,116
Construction, land development and other land		3,613		214		2,531
Total loans secured by real estate		5,022		4,124		3,760
Commercial and other business-purpose loans		346		1,477		714
Consumer		10		23		66
Other		--		--		5
Total past due loans		5,378		5,624		4,545
Total nonperforming loans	$	95,711	$	88,838	$	72,630
Real estate owned and other repossessed assets		44,991		22,601		16,680
Total nonperforming assets	$	140,702	$	111,439	$	89,310

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CAPITOL BANCORP LIMITED

Selected Supplemental Data

EPS COMPUTATION COMPONENTS (in thousands):

	Periods Ended June 30
	Three Month Period				Six Month Period
	2008		2007		2008		2007
Numerator—net income for the period	$	623	$	6,298	$	2,814	$	12,569
Denominator:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, excluding unvested restricted shares (denominator for basic earnings per share)		17,144		16,961		17,143		16,829
Effect of dilutive securities:
Unvested restricted shares		33		15		27		42
Stock options		--		208		9		351
Total effect of dilutive securities		33		223		36		393
Denominator for diluted earnings per share—
Weighted average number of shares and potential dilution		17,177		17,184		17,179		17,222
Number of antidilutive stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share computation		2,494		1,063		2,269		368

AVERAGE BALANCES (in thousands):

	Periods Ended June 30
	Three Month Period				Six Month Period
	2008		2007		2008		2007
Portfolio loans	$	4,541,327	$	3,708,267	$	4,472,508	$	3,633,402
Earning assets		4,817,307		4,017,948		4,729,691		3,926,022
Total assets		5,191,195		4,328,592		5,092,365		4,233,762
Deposits		4,026,851		3,433,081		3,965,178		3,378,825
Stockholders’ equity		386,688		385,129		387,831		378,217

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Capitol Bancorp’s National Network of Community Banks

Arizona Region:
Arrowhead Community Bank	Glendale, Arizona
Asian Bank of Arizona	Phoenix, Arizona
Bank of Tucson	Tucson, Arizona
Camelback Community Bank	Phoenix, Arizona
Colonia Bank	Phoenix, Arizona
Mesa Bank	Mesa, Arizona
Southern Arizona Community Bank	Tucson, Arizona
Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque	Albuquerque, New Mexico
Sunrise Bank of Arizona	Phoenix, Arizona
Valley First Community Bank	Scottsdale, Arizona
Yuma Community Bank	Yuma, Arizona
California Region:
Bank of Escondido	Escondido, California
Bank of Feather River	Yuba City, California
Bank of San Francisco	San Francisco, California
Bank of Santa Barbara	Santa Barbara, California
Napa Community Bank	Napa, California
Point Loma Community Bank	San Diego, California
Sunrise Bank of San Diego	San Diego, California
Sunrise Community Bank	Palm Desert, California
Colorado Region:
Fort Collins Commerce Bank	Fort Collins, Colorado
Larimer Bank of Commerce	Fort Collins, Colorado
Loveland Bank of Commerce	Loveland, Colorado
Mountain View Bank of Commerce	Westminster, Colorado
Great Lakes Region:
Ann Arbor Commerce Bank	Ann Arbor, Michigan
Bank of Auburn Hills	Auburn Hills, Michigan
Bank of Maumee	Maumee, Ohio
Bank of Michigan	Farmington Hills, Michigan
Brighton Commerce Bank	Brighton, Michigan
Capitol National Bank	Lansing, Michigan
Detroit Commerce Bank	Detroit, Michigan
Elkhart Community Bank	Elkhart, Indiana
Evansville Commerce Bank	Evansville, Indiana
Goshen Community Bank	Goshen, Indiana
Grand Haven Bank	Grand Haven, Michigan
Kent Commerce Bank	Grand Rapids, Michigan
Macomb Community Bank	Clinton Township, Michigan
Muskegon Commerce Bank	Muskegon, Michigan
Oakland Commerce Bank	Farmington Hills, Michigan
Ohio Commerce Bank	Beachwood, Ohio
Paragon Bank & Trust	Holland, Michigan
Portage Commerce Bank	Portage, Michigan
Midwest Region:
Adams Dairy Bank	Blue Springs, Missouri
Bank of Belleville	Belleville, Illinois
Community Bank of Lincoln	Lincoln, Nebraska
Summit Bank of Kansas City	Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Nevada Region:
1st Commerce Bank	North Las Vegas, Nevada
Bank of Las Vegas	Las Vegas, Nevada
Black Mountain Community Bank	Henderson, Nevada
Desert Community Bank	Las Vegas, Nevada
Red Rock Community Bank	Las Vegas, Nevada
Northeast Region:
USNY Bank	Geneva, New York

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Capitol’s National Network of Community Banks – Continued
Northwest Region:
Bank of Bellevue	Bellevue, Washington
Bank of Everett	Everett, Washington
Bank of Tacoma	Tacoma, Washington
High Desert Bank	Bend, Oregon
Issaquah Community Bank	Issaquah, Washington
Southeast Region:
Bank of Valdosta	Valdosta, Georgia
Community Bank of Rowan	Salisbury, North Carolina
First Carolina State Bank	Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Peoples State Bank	Jeffersonville, Georgia
Pisgah Community Bank	Asheville, North Carolina
Sunrise Bank of Atlanta	Atlanta, Georgia
Texas Region:
Bank of Fort Bend	Sugar Land, Texas
Bank of Las Colinas	Irving, Texas

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