ECB'S Wellink doesn't see bank such as Fortis failing -Dutch TV

AMSTERDAM, Sept 18 (Reuters) - European Central Bank Governing Council member Nout Wellink does not expect a bank such as Belgian-Dutch financial group Fortis <FOR.AS> to fail, he told Dutch television programme Nova on Thursday.

Asked whether it was possible that a bank such as Fortis could collapse Wellink said: 'To be honest, I do not see that happening.'

Wellink, who also heads the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) said that there was a difference between the situation on the Dutch financial market and the United States.

'In the United States there are investment banks, which sell more risky products and are financed in a more risky way.'

He added Dutch financial companies have good reserves due to the supervision policy of DNB. 'In the past we have forced Dutch banks to hold extra reserves, which has made that they are now pretty sturdy.'

(Reporting by Harro ten Wolde and Gilbert Kreijger ) Keywords: ECB/WELLINK [e-mail] ak COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.