The government maintains plans to clean-up, recapitalize and privatize all the banks that have been rescued by the state, a spokeswoman for the ministry told Reuters.

Earlier on Wednesday European Commissioner for Competition Joaquin Almunia told Reuters in an interview that Spain may need to wind down one of its bailed-out savings banks.

Spain is awaiting final approval from the European Commission for the restructuring plan for three banks rescued by the state: NCG Banco (NovaGalicia), CatalunyaCaixa and Banco de Valencia.

(Reporting by Julien Toyer; Writing by Fiona Ortiz)