Natixis owners give cash boost to bank

PARIS, June 26 (Reuters) - Natixis (CNAT.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), France's fourth-biggest listed bank, said on Thursday that its two controlling shareholders had decided to shore up its finances by putting more money into the bank.

Natixis said that Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne had each granted a 500 million euro ($783.6 million) advance to Natixis which would be treated as equity.

This advance is expected to be replaced in part or in full by hybrid equity from issues planned to be undertaken in the next few months, depending on market conditions.

Natixis added that the latest cash injections would help it keep a Tier One capital ratio of at least 8.5 percent under Basel II standards.

"This solid capital structure provides Natixis with a sound platform for funding its expansion while weathering the continuing financial crisis, specifically the recent developments concerning monoline insurers," Natixis said in a statement.

Natixis shares closed down 5.4 percent at 7.88 euros.

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; editing by Rory Channing)