Barclays today refused to rule out a potential rights issue and pledged to consider all options to build up its capital base amid speculation the UK bank could follow rival Royal Bank of Scotland in raising fresh funds.

Barclays chairman Marcus Agius, in response to a question from one of the bank's shareholders at this morning's annual meeting as to whether the bank would likely launch a rights issue, said retaining earnings, managing its balance sheet and raising new equity are all available options to help build up capital, according to Reuters.