EXHIBIT 23.1a

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


Capitol Bancorp Limited
Lansing, Michigan

We hereby  consent to the use in the proxy  statement/prospectus  constituting a
part of the  Registration  Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated January 31,
2003  relating  to the  consolidated  financial  statements  of Capitol  Bancorp
Limited,  which  is  attached  to that  proxy  statement/prospectus,  and to the
incorporation in the proxy statement/prospectus by reference of our report dated
January 31, 2003,  related to the consolidated  financial  statements of Capitol
Bancorp Limited  appearing in the Company's 2002 Annual Report to  shareholders,
which is incorporated  by reference in the Company's  annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended  December  31, 2002.  We also consent to the  reference to us
under the caption "Experts" in the proxy statement/prospectus.


/s/ BDO SEIDMAN, LLP

Grand Rapids, Michigan
May 30, 2003