Regulatory capital and its effect on credit growth, non-performing loans and bank efficiency Evidence from Ghana

Purpose - This paper aims to investigate the influence of the central bank's regulatory capital on commercial banks specific performance outcomes such as credit supply, interest rate spread (as a measure of efficiency) and non-performing loans (NPLs). Design/methodology/approach - Using specific commercial bank-level panel data from 2002-2012, a system of equations was modeled that allows us to apply the system generalized methods of moment approach and estimate the equations, while controlling for specific bank level, industry and macroeconomic variables. Findings - The study finds a positive relationship between a net minimum capital ratio and the net interest margin. Although this is in contrast with the study expectations, the result suggests that a high net minimum capital requirement would widen the spread between the lending and saving rates. The study further finds evidence to support the fact that high minimum capital requirement and excess capital above the minimum required drive credit growth in the banking sector of Ghana. However, high excess capital increases risk-taking activities of the banks, as excess capital is found to be associated with high NPL ratios. Practical implications - Given the economic benefits and costs of sharply increasing bank regulatory capital, our results speak to the ongoing debates on the right level of capital, the effectiveness of the Bank of Ghana policy rate (PR) and the high lending rates that appear to respond only slowly to macroeconomic indicators such as the PR and the inflation rate. The finding also has practical implications for the adoption of the Basel III accord. Originality/value - The empirical literature has not paid enough attention to the impact of regulatory capital on the three specific bank-level outcomes -NPLs, interest rate spread and the nature of interrelationships among these variables, particularly in the African context.