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, Ariz.: June 6, 2006: Capitol Bancorp Limited (NYSE: CBC), a $3.6 billion national community bank development company, announced today the opening of its 44th individually chartered community bank, Evansville Commerce Bank in Evansville, Indiana. This represents Capitol Bancorp's third community bank in Indiana, joining Goshen Community Bank and Elkhart Community Bank.

"Our highly successful business model of opening separately chartered, locally managed community banks, affirms our commitment to preserving the community banking model," said Capitol Bancorp Chairman and CEO Joseph D. Reid.

"Capitol Bancorp has enjoyed great success in Indiana, and we look forward to serving the Evansville community," Reid added. "We strongly believe that Evansville Commerce Bank will be an excellent addition to the local business environment, with its outstanding bank leadership and staff focused on providing the utmost in customer service."

"Our goal is to be a bank that knows its customers, understands their business needs and is an integral part of the economic vitality of Evansville," said Thomas L. Austerman, president and chief executive officer of Evansville Commerce Bank. "We will be the bank where product and loan decisions are made at the local level by people familiar with the local economy."

Austerman is a 35-year veteran of the banking industry. He was the founding president and chief executive officer of Bank of Evansville and the president and chief operating officer of National City's Bank of Evansville.

With 44 community banks in 13 states, Capitol Bancorp holds more individual bank charters than any other company in the country. Thus far in 2006, Capitol Bancorp has opened three de novo community banks and currently has applications pending for five de novo community banks in four states.

About Capitol Bancorp Limited
Capitol Bancorp Limited (NYSE: CBC) is a $3.6 billion national community bank development company, with a network of 44 separately chartered banks and bank operations in 13 states. Capitol Bancorp Limited identifies opportunities for the development of new community banks, raises capital for and mentors new community banks through their formative stages, and provides efficient services to its growing network of 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. Founded in 1988, Capitol Bancorp Limited has executive offices in Lansing, Michigan, and Phoenix, Arizona.