Slovak banks,minister at odds over analyst comments

BRATISLAVA, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Slovakia's Tatra Banka, owned by Austria's Raiffeisen <RIBH.VI>, on Friday criticised comments by Agriculture Minister Miroslav Jurena who called on farmers to boycott the bank and a local arm of ING <ING.AS> bank because of comments by their analysts.

Jurena told private TV station Markiza on Thursday that he recommended farmers not to cooperate with Tatra Banka and ING after their analysts criticised a planned rise in farming subsidies.

The government plans to boost farming subsidies to 70 percent of the average amount in the 15 "old" European Union states from 45 percent next year, which is expected to cost the state coffers an additional 2.2 billion crowns ($75.52 million).

Ten countries, mainly in eastern and central Europe, joined the EU in 2004.

"I recommend to farmers not to pick Tatra Banka and also to co-operate less or rather not co-operate at all with ING," daily SME quoted Jurena as saying.

Tatra Banka called the minister's comments inappropriate, saying it hoped its clients will decide whether to cooperate with the bank mainly upon their experience.

"We do not think these comments are appropriate. We regret that the minister wants to influence clients because of independent analyst opinions," said Tatra Banka spokeswoman Tereza Coplakova.

ING <ING.AS> was not immediately available for comment. The daily SME quoted its spokeswoman as saying that Jurena's comments were surprising and that the bank was not considering any legal action.

Slovakia's banking association issued a statement saying it was surprised by Jurena's comments, which were unfounded and beyond understanding.

The leftist cabinet swept to power in a June election on promises of higher social spending after years of reforms by a center-right coalition that cut welfare programmes to prepare Slovakia for increased competition from western Europe and from euro adoption. ((Reporting by Martin Dokoupil, editing by Ian Jones; Reuters Messaging: martin.dokoupil.reuters.com@reuters.net; +421 5341 8402)) ($1=29.13 Slovak Crown)

Keywords: FINANCIAL SLOVAKIA MINISTER