"In order to complete the test before the end of the third European Stability Mechanism stability support programme for Greece, the timetable will be accelerated and the results are expected to be published in May," the ECB said.

The announcement confirms a Reuters report published in November. Test results for the remaining 33 lenders from other euro zone countries will be published on Nov. 2.

(Reporting By Francesco Canepa; Editing by Catherine Evans)