Irish banks eye $12 billion in fresh capital: report

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish banks will move in the coming weeks to facilitate investments of up to 10 billion euros ($12.94 billion) in fresh capital from government, private equity and other sources, the Irish Examiner reported on Monday.

The newspaper, which did not cite its sources, said the investments could also come from pension funds and individual investors.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said after talks with bank executives on Friday that state involvement would be weighed on a case-by-case basis and that the government had not proposed consolidation in the sector.

Lenihan said after his talks with six institutions covered by Ireland's 440 billion euros state guarantee scheme that some banks had little need for capital, while "for others the need may be greater."

Last week a group of at least 10 Irish and foreign investment firms interested in co-investing with the government in the recapitalization of the banks stepped up its plans with the appointment of Deutsche Bank as advisor.

A series of announcements are expected in the coming weeks which will "evolve into concrete deals releasing fresh capital into Irish banks early in the new year," the Irish Examiner said.

($1=.7728 euros)

(Reporting by Andras Gergely; Editing by Mike Nesbit)