Determinants of Capital Adequacy among the Commercial Banks in Ghana

Abstract

The study examined the determinants of capital adequacy among selected commercial banks in Ghana. Eight banks were sampled for the periods 2009-2016, secondary data was gathered from the annual reports of selected banks as well as the Ghana Banking Survey authored by Price Waterhouse Coopers Ghana (PWC). A balanced panel approach was employed in investigating the determinants of capital adequacy among selected commercial banks in Ghana whilst comparing estimates of pooled OLS, random and fixed effects models and the generalized least square models to ascertain the robustness of the model. The finding suggests that all the independent variables statistically and significantly influence capital adequacy. While non-performing loans negatively relate to CAR, LFTD and ROA positively impact CAR or asset quality. It is recommended that the central bank and various banks operating in Ghana pay attention to strict compliance with the regulatory regimes to keep banks sound and fit to withstand distress and losses which may, in turn, affect the banking system and economy in entirety.