Natixis announces 3.7 bln euro capital increase

PARIS, July 16 (Reuters) - Natixis (CNAT.PA: Quote, Profile, Research), France's fourth-biggest listed bank, announced on Wednesday it was launching a 3.7 billion euro capital increase.

It said in a statement that the operation, which will be presented when it releases half-year results on Aug. 25, was aimed at restoring its Tier 1 ratio to 9 percent and its core tier 1 ratio to 7 percent.

Its two main shareholders, French mutual banks Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne, will underwrite the operation, said Natixis, whose stock fell to a record low of 4.31 euros on Wednesday due to worries that it might announce new write-downs. (Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Gary Hill)