Exhibit 99.1

                      CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION

     Pursuant to Section 906 of the Corporate Fraud  Accountability  Act of 2002
(18 U.S.C.ss.1350,  as adopted),  Joseph D. Reid, the Chief Executive Officer of
Capitol Bancorp Ltd. (the "Company")  hereby  certifies that, to the best of his
knowledge:

     1.   The  Company's  Quarterly  Report  on Form 10-Q for the  period  ended
September 30, 2002, and to which this  Certification is attached as Exhibit 99.1
(the "Periodic  Report"),  fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     2.   The information  contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents,  in
all material respects,  the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.

Date: November 11, 2002

                                        /s/ Joseph D. Reid
                                        --------------------------------
                                        Joseph D. Reid
                                        Chief Executive Officer