LONDON, June 28 (Reuters) - Barclays said it hasoptions to meet a new leverage ratio imposed by Britain'sfinancial watchdog, but warned it will have to cut lending if itis forced to meet the target quickly.
The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) last week saidBarclays fell short of a 3 percent leverage ratio requirement,with a ratio of only 2.5 percent after adjustments, and the bankhad until the end of July to tell it how it will improve.
Barclays Chief Executive Antony Jenkins said on Friday thebank would achieve the target by 2015 under its existing plans.
"We have options to accelerate with minor income effects,but an aggressive acceleration requirement from the PRA wouldrequire additional actions that could restrict our ability toextend balance sheet availability to customers, includingpotentially lending to the UK and other economies, which issomething we want to avoid," he said.