Spain makes formal request for EU bank aid

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain on Monday requested formally the disbursement of 39.5 billion euros (31.9 billion pounds) of European funds to recapitalise its crippled banking sector, the Economy Ministry said in a statement.

The money - 37 billion euros for the four nationalised banks Bankia (BKIA.MC), Catalunya Banc, NCG Banco and Banco de Valencia (BVA.MC) and 2.5 billion euros for the so-called "bad bank" - should be paid to the state's banking fund FROB around December 12, it added.

Euro zone finance ministers are expected to approve the disbursement later on Monday when they meet in Brussels for their monthly meeting.

($1 = 0.7689 euros)

(Reporting By Jesús Aguado; Editing by Julien Toyer)