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): April 14, 2004
                                                                                     (April 13, 2004)

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)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (517) 487-6555

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
	Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Press Release Dated April 13, 2004

Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
99.1	Press Release dated April 13, 2004.

Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On April 13, 2004, Capitol Bancorp Ltd. announced that, although earnings will be positive, the Corporation has initiated actions which will reduce reported EPS approximately 35% below reported earnings for the first quarter of last year ($.44). The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. The information in this report is being furnished under this Item 12 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

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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.

	CAPITOL BANCORP LTD. (Registrant)
Date: April 14, 2004	/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 April 13, 2004.

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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
	Contact:       Michael M. Moran                        Chief of Capital Markets                         877-884-5662

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION:

CAPITOL BANCORP ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER
EARNINGS EXPECTATIONS

LANSING, Mich., and PHOENIX, Ariz.: April 13, 2004 — Today Capitol Bancorp Limited (NYSE:CBC) announced that although earnings for the first quarter will remain positive, the Corporation has initiated actions which will reduce reported earnings per share approximately 35 percent below reported earnings of $0.44 in the first quarter of last year. Actions include an increase in the loan loss reserve for the quarter to cover both extraordinary growth in first quarter loan volume, approximately $100 million, and a special loss provision for a single loan of $1.5 million. In addition, Capitol has elected to liquidate certain mutual fund investments made by some of its affiliated banks. Asset quality indicators improved in this quarterly period with a reduction of total nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets, and an improvement in the reserve coverage ratio on nonperforming loans.

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About Capitol Bancorp Limited

Capitol Bancorp Limited is a $2.7 billion community bank development company, with 31 individual bank charters operating in nine states. Capitol Bancorp Limited identifies opportunities for the development of new community banks, raises capital and mentors a community bank through its formative stages. 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. Capitol Bancorp Limited was founded in 1988 and has headquarters in Lansing, Mich. and Phoenix, Ariz.