The capital adequacy ratio is the central feature of the Basel Capital Accord. It is an analytical construct in which regulatory capital is the numerator and risk-weighted assets is the denominator. The minimum ratio of regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets is set at 8 percent (the core regulatory capital element should be at least 4 percent). These ratios are considered the minimum necessary to achieve the objective of securing over time soundly-based and consistent capital ratios for all international banks.