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, 2005

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))

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
SIGNATURES
Press Release, Dated July 26, 2005

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

     On July 26, 2005, Capitol Bancorp Ltd. announced its quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share, payable September 1, 2005 to shareholders of record as of August 8, 2005. This represents a 6 percent increase over the $0.17 dividend paid in the same period in 2004. This is Capitol’s third quarterly dividend of 2005. In second quarter 2005, Capitol paid $0.18. The press release 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.

	CAPITOL BANCORP LTD. (Registrant)
Date: July 26, 2005	/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, 2005.

3 EX-99.1 2 k97009exv99w1.htm PRESS RELEASE, DATED JULY 26, 2005

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
	Joal Redmond
	Corporate Communications
	602-977-3797

For Immediate Release

Capitol Bancorp Declares
52^nd Consecutive Quarterly Cash Dividend

LANSING, Mich., and PHOENIX: July 26, 2005: The Board of Directors of Capitol Bancorp Limited (NYSE:CBC) today announced the Corporation’s 52nd consecutive quarterly cash dividend. The dividend of $0.18 per common share represents a 6 percent increase over the $0.17 dividend paid in the same period in 2004. The dividend is payable September 1, 2005, to shareholders of record as of August 8, 2005.

Capitol Bancorp’s Chairman and CEO, Joseph D. Reid, said the Corporation continues to experience impressive growth across the company. “We’re experiencing a steady growth in the balance sheet while remaining focused on asset quality. With capital levels exceeding $433 million, we are well-positioned to act upon expansion opportunities that complement our community bank model.”

During the second quarter, Capitol Bancorp opened community banks in Fort Collins, Colorado, and Bellevue, Washington, and completed the acquisition of a majority interest in a community bank in Jeffersonville, Georgia. Most recently, Capitol opened a new bank in Auburn Hills, Michigan and currently has applications pending for six de novo community banks in four states.

The dividend declaration follows Capitol Bancorp’s recent announcement of record second quarter 2005 earnings, which exceeded $8.3 million and represent an increase of more than 20 percent over earnings reported for the same period in 2004. Record earnings per share of $0.56 and $0.54 on a basic and diluted basis, reflect 14 and 15 percent increases when compared to last year’s $0.49 and $0.47, respectively.

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About Capitol Bancorp Limited

Capitol Bancorp Limited is a $3.3 billion community bank development company, with 37 individual bank charters and bank operations in eleven states. Capitol Bancorp Limited identifies opportunities for the development of new community banks, raises capital, mentors a community bank through its formative stages, and manages its investments in its 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. Capitol Bancorp Limited was founded in 1988 and has executive offices in Lansing, Mich. and Phoenix, Ariz.

EX-99.1

exv99w1