* Bank says measure precaution after tough stress tests

* Media say banks want to pay $110 million in dividends

* Banking share prices strong, unaffected by move (Adds details on when measure began, dividend estimate)

By Fiona Ortiz

BUENOS AIRES, June 10 (Reuters) - Argentina's central bank has been keeping a number of private sector banks from paying dividends to shareholders in a temporary, precautionary measure after stress tests analyzing areas of concern, a source at the central bank told Reuters.

The central bank wants to make very sure that no bank will need a bailout or capital injection before it allows them pay dividends.

Banks that have not been able to distribute dividends from 2008 profit as the central bank puts them through a rigorous evaluation include Banco Macro (BMA.BA: Quote, Profile, Research) (BMA.N: Quote, Profile, Research), Banco Patagonia (BPAT.BA: Quote, Profile, Research), BBVA Banco Frances (FRA.BA: Quote, Profile, Research), Banco Santander Rio (RIO.BA: Quote, Profile, Research), and others, according to banking sources.

The central bank analyzed rising delinquent loan rates, the banks' practice of accounting for their sovereign debt holdings at face value even though market value is much lower, and the limited access to lending markets if it were needed.

"We did stress tests ... this is a precautionary measure," the central bank source said on condition of not being identified. He said once the economy has stabilized, the restrictions would no longer apply.