From my in-depth knowledge of Act 930, gained through compliance roles at major Ghanaian banks, Banks (Tier 1) differ from Specialized Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs, Tiers 2-4 like MFIs, RCBs) in scope, regulation, and operations. Act 930 harmonizes supervision under BoG, post-2017 cleanup. Below, I list and explain five key differences, with practical examples.

1. Licensing and Capital Requirements (4 Marks): Banks require higher minimum capital (GH¢ 400 million as per BoG CRD 2018, adjusted post-DDEP) and universal licenses for broad services. SDIs have lower thresholds (e.g., GH¢ 15 million for finance houses), targeting niche markets. Example: Universal banks like GCB offer forex, while RCBs focus on local deposits, ensuring stability as seen in recapitalization efforts.
2. Scope of Permissible Activities (4 Marks): Banks engage in comprehensive services like investment banking and international trade finance. SDIs are restricted; e.g., MFIs under Tier 4 can’t take foreign deposits. Per Act 930 Section 5, this prevents overreach, as in the collapse of unlicensed SDIs pre-cleanup.
3. Regulatory Supervision Intensity (4 Marks): Banks face stringent BoG oversight, including Basel III liquidity ratios. SDIs have tailored prudential norms, like simplified reporting for RCBs via ARB Apex. Practical: Banks undergo annual stress tests; SDIs focus on micro-risks, aligning with Act 930’s proportional regulation.
4. Target Clientele and Outreach (4 Marks): Banks serve corporate and urban clients with sophisticated products. SDIs target underserved rural/micro segments, promoting inclusion. Example: While Ecobank handles large corporates, MFIs like Opportunity International provide group loans to women, reducing poverty per BoG’s strategy.
5. Governance and Ownership Structures (4 Marks): Banks often have diverse shareholders and strict fit-and-proper tests under Corporate Governance Directive. SDIs may be community-owned (e.g., RCBs with local shares), with relaxed rules but emphasis on local control. This difference fosters grassroots development but requires BoG monitoring to avoid governance failures like in defunct SDIs.