Barclays Bank is the biggest bank in Ghana and by extension the largest in terms of capacity to handle transactions, figures obtained from the Bank of Ghana as at December 2009 show. Barclays, with a stated capital of GH¢115,046,000 topped the 13 foreign banks in the country whilst Ecobank Ghana Limited came second with GH¢99,098,000. Meanwhile, the stated capital of all the 13 foreign banks together stood at GH¢804 million. The massive injections into the sector as a result of the recapitalization, according to the Bank of Ghana, have significantly enhanced its ability to withstand shocks. The capital adequacy ratio as it is known has increased from 13.8 per cent in 2008 to 18.2 per cent in December 2009. In another development, more banks are this week expected to begin posting reduced lending rates. This follows the 200-basis-point reduction in the policy rate, formerly the prime rate, by the Bank of Ghana. A number of the major banks have already reduced or indicated they will reduce their rates and Financial Analyst Dela Wusornu believes this is all that’s needed for the rest of the banks to follow suit. Source: Joy Business/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana