Agricole's Emporiki Bank Q1 loss widens

* Q1 loss 168.7 mln eur vs 15.3 mln loss last year

* Loan-loss provisions at 175.5 mln eur

* Credit Agricole ups stake to 82.48 pct after rights issue

ATHENS, May 11 (Reuters) - Credit Agricole's (CAGR.PA) Greek subsidiary, Emporiki Bank (CBGr.AT), on Monday reported a net loss of 168.7 million euros ($229.6 million) in the first quarter versus a loss of 15.3 million euros a year earlier, hurt by loan-loss provisions.

Kicking off the earnings reporting season for Greek banks, Emporiki said provisions reached 175.5 million euros. The bank lost 492 million euros in 2008 after provisions reached 493 million.

In February this year the bank's shareholders approved an 850 million euro ($1.16 billion) rights issue to boost capital and liquidity. Parent Credit Agricole subscribed in the issue, raising its holding in Emporiki to 82.48 percent.

Emporiki decided not to take part in the Greek government's 28 billion bank support plan to keep the economy sufficiently funded, but instead opted to rely on its shareholders for a capital boost.

Other Greek banks are boosting their capital by taking part in the government support package. The scheme provides capital injections via the sale of preferred shares to the state, guarantees on debt issuance and liquidity support via special government bonds.