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.

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