Background and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Background and Basis of Presentation	Mar. 31, 2013
Background and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Background and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	Note A – Background and Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Capitol Bancorp Limited ("Capitol" or the "Corporation") have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The condensed consolidated financial statements do, however, include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature (in accordance with Rule 10-01(b)(8) of Regulation S-X) which Capitol considers necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods. For comparative purposes, original balances as previously reported in periods prior to March 31, 2013 have been adjusted to exclude amounts related to discontinued operations. The results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 was derived from audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. Certain 2012 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2013 presentation. Refer to Note C for the effects of a change in accounting principle on amounts previously reported in the 2012 consolidated financial statements. Capitol's ability to continue to operate as a going concern is contingent upon a number of factors which are discussed below, in Note O, and on page 48of this document, as well as upon a variety of risk factors discussed elsewhere in this document and in Capitol's other filings with the SEC. Capitol's auditors included a going concern qualification in the most recent report on the Corporation's audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012. Bankruptcy Filings On August 9, 2012, Capitol and its affiliate FCC (collectively the "Debtors") filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (the "Court"). The Debtors' Chapter 11 Cases (the "Chapter 11 Cases") are being jointly administered under Case Number 12-58409. Capitol and FCC continue to operate their businesses and manage their properties as "debtors-in-possession" under the jurisdiction of the Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Court. Capitol's banking subsidiaries are not part of the filing and continue to conduct business on an uninterrupted basis. Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 852, Reorganizations, which is applicable to companies in Chapter 11, generally does not change the manner in which financial statements are prepared. However, it does require that the financial statements for periods subsequent to the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Amounts that can be directly associated with the reorganization and restructuring of the business must be reported separately as reorganization items in the condensed consolidated statements of operations beginning in the quarter ended September 30, 2012. The condensed consolidated balance sheet must distinguish prepetition liabilities subject to compromise from both those prepetition liabilities that are not subject to compromise (none as of March 31, 2013) and from post-petition liabilities. Liabilities that may be affected by a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization must be reported at the amounts expected to be allowed, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts. Capitol applied ASC Topic 852 effective August 9, 2012 and will segregate those items as outlined above for all reporting periods subsequent to such date until emergence from Chapter 11. Refer to Note O for recent information regarding regulatory closures of certain of Capitol's subsidiary banks.

CAPITOL BANCORP LTD 10-Q