Dexia says FSA sale unaffected by Fitch downgrade

BRUSSELS May 11 (Reuters) - Belgian-French financial services group Dexia (DEXI.BR) said on Monday that ratings agency Fitch's downgrade of its troubled U.S. bond insurance subsidiary would not impede the sale of the business.

"Fitch Ratings' downgrade of Dexia's monoline bond insurer Financial Security Assurance (FSA) from AAA to AA+ and of its holding company Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd. (FSA Holdings) from AA to A+ (Rating Watch Negative) does not affect completion of the sale process of FSA Holdings to Assured Guaranty Ltd. (Assured).", Dexia said in a statement.

The group added that the parties were in final discussions on the deal and was confident the sale would be completed within the foreseen timeframe. (Reporting by Antonia van de Velde; Editing by Greg Mahlich)