Barclays, Deutsche Need Capital: Spain

MADRID (TheStreet) -- Spain's central bank has ordered 12 lenders, including Deutsche Bank (DB) and Barclays (BCS), to raise €15.15 billion ($20.9 billion) in fresh capital to cover potential losses, as the country continues to grapple with sharp declines in real estate value.

The Banco de España unveiled the results of its stress test on Thursday, which analyzed the financial condition of dozens of banks and whether they ought to increase the amount of capital they have on hand. Only two of the banks subject to the stress test were Spanish.

Those needing to raise capital were mostly small lenders, including the savings banks Bankia, Base, Cívica, Mare Nostrum, Catalunyacaixa, Novacaixagalicia, Unnim and Caja España de Inversiones, in addition to bigger commercial lenders Bankinter, Bankpyme, Barclays and Deutsche Bank.

The banks have 15 days to submit plans to meet The Banco de España's standard of a minimum core capital ratio of 8% for certain institutions and 10% for others. The central bank will approve plans within another 15 days and the lenders will have until Sept. 30 to comply with the edict.

The Banco de España said that some lenders may have to close branches or sell assets to meet the requirements, while others have announced plans to tap the capital markets. Barclays must raise €552 million and Deutsche Bank must raise €182 million. Both have already submitted plans to raise the funds.

Other companies that were tested and passed Spain's stricter capital requirements include Citigroup (C), General Electric's (GE) lending subsidiary, BNP Paribas and UBS (UBS).

-- Written by Lauren Tara LaCapra in New York.

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