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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">UNITED STATES</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Washington, D.C.&#160;&#160;20549</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">FORM&#160;8-K</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Current Report Pursuant to Section&#160;13 or 15(d) of</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):&#160;<font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">December 28, 2012</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">CAPITOL BANCORP LTD.</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">____________________________</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Michigan</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">001-31708</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(Commission File No.)</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">38-2761672</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(IRS Employer</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;Identification No.)</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Capitol Bancorp Center</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">200 Washington Square North, Lansing, Michigan 48933</font><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><br>
</font><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)&#160; (Zip Code)</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">(517) 487-6555</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 13pt">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Not Applicable</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (<font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">see </font>General Instruction A.2. below):</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman Bold', 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Item 7.01. &#160;Regulation FD Disclosure.</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">On December 28, 2012, Capitol Bancorp Ltd. (the <font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">"Corporation"</font>) <font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">entered into a letter of intent with investors for the sale and subsequent recapitalization of Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque</font>.&#160;&#160;The transaction is subject to regulatory and bankruptcy court approval and expected to be completed in 2013.</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">On December 28, 2012, the Corporation issued a press release announcing the contemplated transaction.&#160; A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit&#160;99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.</div>

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<td style="WIDTH: auto; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.</td>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(d)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Exhibits</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Exhibit No.</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Description</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">99.1</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Press release issued by Capitol Bancorp Ltd. on December 28, 2012</div>
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<div>&#160;</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><u>SIGNATURES</u></div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Date:</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 5.14pt" id="TRGRRTFtoHTMLTab">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">December 28, 2012</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">CAPITOL BANCORP LTD.</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-INDENT: 72pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(Registrant)</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">By: </font><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">/s/ Cristin K. Reid</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 5.02pt" id="TRGRRTFtoHTMLTab">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Name: </font><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Cristin K. Reid</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 5.02pt" id="TRGRRTFtoHTMLTab">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Title: </font><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Corporate President</font><font style="FONT-SIZE: 5.02pt" id="TRGRRTFtoHTMLTab">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><u>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</u></div>

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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Exhibit No.</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Description</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">99.1</div>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Press release issued by Capitol Bancorp Ltd. on December 28, 2012</div>
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
December 28, 2012
CAPITOL BANCORP LTD.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
____________________________
Michigan
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
001-31708
(Commission File No.)
38-2761672
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
Capitol Bancorp Center
200 Washington Square North, Lansing, Michigan 48933
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)  (Zip Code)
(517) 487-6555
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (
see
General Instruction A.2. below):
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 7.01.  Regulation FD Disclosure.
On December 28, 2012, Capitol Bancorp Ltd. (the
"Corporation"
)
entered into a letter of intent with investors for the sale and subsequent recapitalization of Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque
.  The transaction is subject to regulatory and bankruptcy court approval and expected to be completed in 2013.
On December 28, 2012, the Corporation issued a press release announcing the contemplated transaction.  A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9.01.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(d)           Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
99.1
Press release issued by Capitol Bancorp Ltd. on December 28, 2012
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date:
December 28, 2012
CAPITOL BANCORP LTD.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Cristin K. Reid
Name:
Cristin K. Reid
Title:
Corporate President
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
Description
99.1
Press release issued by Capitol Bancorp Ltd. on December 28, 2012