- Additional Proxy Soliciting Materials (definitive) (DEFA14A)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

Filed by the Registrant þ

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

o Preliminary Proxy Statement

o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

o Definitive Proxy Statement

þ Definitive Additional Materials

o	Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12

Capitol Bancorp Limited

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

þ No fee required.

o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

(3)	Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

(5) Total fee paid:

o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o	Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

(1) Amount Previously Paid:

(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

(3) Filing Party:

(4) Date Filed:

CAPITOL BANCORP LIMITED			Shareholder Meeting to be held on 04/22/09
IMPORTANT NOTICE			Proxy Materials Available
Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the			· Notice and Proxy Statement
Shareholder Meeting to be held on April 22, 2009			· Annual Report
You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the
above company, and the materials you should review before you cast your
vote are now available.			PROXY MATERIALS - VIEW OR RECEIVE

This communication presents only an overview of the more			You can choose to view the materials online or receive a
complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet.			paper or e-mail copy. If you want to receive a paper or
We encourage you to access and review all of the important			e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one.
information contained in the proxy materials before voting.			There is NO charge for requesting a copy.
			Requests, instructions and other inquiries will NOT
			be forwarded to your investment advisor. Please make your request for a copy as instructed below on or before April 3, 2009 to facilitate timely delivery.

CAPITOL BANCORP LIMITED			HOW TO VIEW THE MATERIALS VIA THE INTERNET
200 N. WASHINGTON SQUARE
LANSING, MI 48933			The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are
			available at www.proxyvote.com. Have the 12-Digit
			Control Number available when you visit the site.

			HOW TO REQUEST A COPY OF MATERIALS

			1) BY INTERNET – www.proxyvote.com
			2) BY TELEPHONE – 1-800-579-1639
			3) BY E-MAIL* – sendmaterial@proxyvote.com
			*If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank
			e-mail with the 12 Digit Control Number (located on the
			following page) in the subject line.

See the Reverse Side for Meeting Information and Instructions on How to Vote

Meeting Information Meeting Type: Annual Meeting Date: 04/22/09 Meeting Time: 4:00 p.m., EST For holders as of: 02/24/09		How To Vote Vote In Person Many shareholder meetings have attendance requirements including, but not limited to, the possession of an attendanc e ticket issued by the entity holding the meeting. Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. At the meeting, you will need to request a ballot to vote these shares.
Meeting Location : Capitol Bancorp Center 200 N. Washington Square Lansing, MI 48933		Vote By Internet To vote no w by Internet, go to WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM . Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your Notice in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions.
Meeting Directions : If you plan to attend the Shareholders’ Meeting and would like directions to Capitol’s office, please call (517) 487-6555.		Electronic Delivery of Future Shareholder Communications If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by Capitol Bancorp Limited in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access shareholder communications electronically in future years.