Capitol Bancorp Center
200 Washington Sq. North
Lansing, MI 48933

2777 East Camelback Road
Suite 375
Phoenix, AZ 85016

Analyst Contact:
Michael M. Moran
Chief of Capital Markets
877-884-5662

Media Contact:
Joal Redmond
Corporate Communications
602-977-3797

LANSING, Mich., and PHOENIX: March 2, 2006: Richard C. Houseworth, who for 13 years served as Superintendent of the Department of Financial Institutions for the state of Arizona, will lead the government relations efforts for Capitol Bancorp Limited (NYSE:CBC), a $3.5 billion national community bank development company. In this newly created position, Houseworth will work with government representatives and regulatory agencies across the country as an integral part of Capitol Bancorp's strategic expansion plan.

"Mr. Houseworth's availability and the Corporation's development plans aligned perfectly," said Capitol Bancorp Chairman and CEO Joseph D. Reid. "His business experience, industry knowledge and ability to build relationships are an excellent complement to our company, as those attributes are highly valued in our organization."

Reid added that the foundation of Capitol Bancorp's strategic plan is to ensure that community banking remains an integral part of the financial services landscape. "Our banks are involved in their communities at many different levels and as such, contribute to the economic health of the communities in which they operate. Mr. Houseworth has a true understanding and appreciation of this focus."

Houseworth's banking background and experience with governmental agencies are extensive. He has served as a consultant to the assistant secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs and as the United States Alternate Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank. He was appointed to both positions by former President George H. W. Bush, with confirmation by the U. S. Senate.

He was a director of the Export-Import Bank of the United States where his duties as a director and chairman of the loan committee took him to Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.

Houseworth began his banking career as a management trainee with the Lawrence National Bank in Lawrence, Kansas, and was later president of the First National Bank of Harveyville, also in Kansas. His previous banking experience includes serving as executive vice president and branch administrator for The Arizona Bank, (now part of Bank of America). In his position as Superintendent of the Department of Financial Institutions for the state of Arizona he had the distinction of serving at the appointment of three different governors.

Houseworth's many professional and civic affiliations include serving as chairman of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and as state vice president in Arizona for the American Bankers Association. He also was a director and past president of the Arizona Bankers Association, past chairman of the Phoenix Urban League and first president of the Arizona State Chamber of Commerce.

He holds a bachelor's of science degree from the University of Kansas. He also attended the Pacific Coast Banking School and later served as chairman of that school's board of trustees.

About Capitol Bancorp Limited
Capitol Bancorp Limited is a $3.5 billion national community bank development company, with 42 individual bank charters and bank operations in thirteen 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.