Paula Cunningham Appointed President of Capitol National Bank

LANSING, Mich. and PHOENIX, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Joseph D. Reid, Chairman and CEO of Capitol Bancorp Limited , today announced that Paula D. Cunningham has been appointed president of Capitol National Bank in Lansing, Mich. Cunningham succeeds John C. Smythe who was appointed last week to the newly created position of President, Great Lakes Region for Capitol Bancorp Limited.

"We are experiencing accelerated growth throughout the company," said Reid. "This type of growth requires a leadership team that not only excels at the fundamentals of managing a business, but also understands the many facets of community stewardship and how the two are inherently connected. Paula, working in conjunction with John, brings unparalleled capabilities to our company. This will ensure Capitol National Bank continues to be an integral part of the Lansing civic and economic landscape."

Cunningham joins Capitol National Bank after 25 years with Lansing Community College (LCC), where she served the last six years as president. During her tenure with LCC, she held various management positions, including vice president/planning and college relations; executive director of marketing, community, and board relations; director of professional development; and associate professor in the management and marketing department. Prior to joining LCC, she owned and managed the Mason Hills Golf Course. She is a keynote speaker, panel member and facilitator for a myriad of local and national organizations. She also hosted a weekly talk radio program for more than six years.

"Paula has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in Lansing and is a recognized community leader. Her seemingly endless community and civic involvement on voluntary boards is consistent with the 'Commitment to Community' that has long been part of the Capitol National Bank culture," added Reid. Cunningham has served as a member of the board of directors of Capitol National Bank since 2004. She holds a master's degree in Labor and Industrial Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, both from Michigan State University.

"It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to transition my role with Capitol National Bank to someone with the talent and business acumen that Paula Cunningham possesses," said Smythe. "I am looking forward to working closely together to ensure a smooth transition and to plan the next steps in CNB's evolution." Smythe will continue to serve as the bank's CEO.

Cunningham will be the third president of Capitol National Bank since its formation in 1982. In addition to Smythe, she follows in the footsteps of the bank's original founding president, Robert C. Carr. Carr currently serves as vice chairman of Capitol Bancorp Limited.

About Capitol National Bank

Capitol National Bank is the only Lansing-based bank that has operated with the same name and in the same location for almost a quarter of a century.

About Capitol Bancorp Limited

Capitol Bancorp Limited is a $3.9 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.