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  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended  December
31,  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: March 28, 2003


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