Bankinter says relaxed with C.Agricole stake

MADRID, April 17 (Reuters) - Credit Agricole (CAGR.PA) has said its stake in Bankinter (BKT.MC) is financial and the French bank's part-ownership does not affect Bankinter's independence, the Spanish lender's chairman said on Thursday.

Credit Agricole has bought 25 percent of Bankinter in the past few months and has an option to raise its stake to 30 percent by next month.

"Credit Agricole has firmly said from the start that its stake is financial, minority and stable in nature and so it is perfectly compatible with Bankinter's independence," Pedro Guerrero said in remarks prepared for the bank's AGM. (Reporting by Robert Hetz; Writing by Jane Barrett)