UK banks say ready to lend more after capital requirements cut

LONDON, July 5 (Reuters) - Some of Britain's biggest financial institutions said they were ready to lend more after a decision by the Bank of England to cut their capital requirements, according to a joint statement with finance minister George Osborne on Tuesday.

The Bank of England, which is trying to ease the hit to the economy from last month's vote to leave the European Union, said it would lower the amount of capital banks are required to hold in reserve, potentially freeing up an extra 150 billion pounds ($196 billion) for lending.

"Now (NYSE: DNOW - news) the UK's main lenders, meeting with the Chancellor this morning, have agreed to make the extra capital available to support lending to UK businesses and households in this challenging time," the lenders and Osborne said.

Osborne met with the chairmen or directors of Virgin Money , Santander UK (LSE: 44RS.L - news) , HSBC, Metro Bank (Other OTC: MBNKF - news) , Royal Bank of Scotland (LSE: RBS.L - news) , Nationwide Building Society, Barclays (LSE: BARC.L - news) and Lloyds Banking Group (Other OTC: LLOBF - news) . (Reporting by Andy Bruce, editing by David Milliken)