TheECB started acomprehensive assessment of four banks, which could become subject to thecentral bank's direct supervision.

Thefour lenders in question are Slovenia's Abanka d.d., Latvia's JSC Rietumu Banka, Italy's and Ireland'sCitibank Europe Plc.

Theassessment, which includes an asset quality review and a stress test, waslaunched in March, with results expected to be published in November.

TheECB currently supervises the 129 largest banks operating in the eurozone,Reuters noted May 10.