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.: Oct. 18, 2006: John C. Smythe has been named president of Capitol Bancorp's (NYSE: CBC) Great Lakes Region. In this role, Smythe will have management oversight of Capitol Bancorp's individually chartered community banks in Michigan (13), Indiana (3) and Ohio (1).

"John is the ideal candidate for this newly created position," said Joseph D. Reid, chairman and CEO of Capitol Bancorp. "He has been part of our organization since we organized in 1988 and has been with our flagship bank, Capitol National Bank, since shortly after its formation in 1982. He clearly understands Capitol Bancorp's unique business model and has the management experience and insight to take on this role."

A career banker, Smythe has close to 40 years experience in the financial services industry. He has held positions in all aspects of bank management on both the operations and the lending sides. He also has extensive business development experience and serves as the president and CEO of Capitol National Bank in Lansing, Mich. In addition to those responsibilities, he is chairman of the board of directors of Amera Mortgage Corporation, a mortgage lender owned in part by Capitol Bancorp.

Active in the community, Smythe serves on the board of directors of Sparrow Development, Inc., University Corporate Research Park Management Company, and Lansing Community College Foundation. He also serves on the board of trustees of the John and Elizabeth Whitely Foundation. Smythe earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University.

About Capitol Bancorp Limited
Capitol Bancorp Limited (NYSE: CBC) is a $3.7 billion national community bank development company, with a network of 49 separately chartered banks and bank operations in 14 states. It is the holder of the most individual bank charters in the country. 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.