RPT-Piraeus to announce capital raising plan in due time

(Repeats to additional Reuters clients)

ATHENS, July 26 (Reuters) - Piraeus Bank (BOPr.AT), Greece's fourth largest lender, said on Monday it will spell out in due time the way it will raise capital to fund its proposed acquisition of government stakes in ATEbank and Hellenic Postbank.

Piraeus offered earlier this month to buy 77.3 percent of ATEbank (AGBr.AT), and 33.04 percent of Hellenic Postbank from the government for 701 million euros ($907 million) in cash.

Its offer, announced July 15, sparked a rally in the banking sector, battered by the country's debt crisis.

There have been press reports that the bank is eyeing to raise at least 1.0 billion euros to fund the acquisition.

"Following press reports, Piraeus Bank clarifies that it will specify in the proper time, depending on the progress of the procedure, and will inform the investment public on the way it will raise the required capital," it said in a bourse filing. (Reporting by George Georgiopoulos)