ATHENS, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Greece has hired six banks to

sell a new 10-year bond, its first issue this year, the

country's debt agency said on Monday.

The new bond will be launched "in the near future, subject

to market conditions," the debt agency said.

The country hired BofA Securities, Deutsche Bank, Goldman

Sachs Bank Europe SE, Morgan Stanley ( MS ), National Bank of Greece

and Societe Generale as joint lead managers.

Greece plans to raise up to 8 billion euros ($8.15

billion)from debt markets this year via medium- and long-term

bonds.

With a cash buffer of about 37 billion euros ($37.70

billion), enough to cover its debt needs for at least two years,

the sovereign will also repay ahead of schedule 5 billion euros

from its first bailout loans.

($1 = 0.9815 euros)

($1 = 0.9815 euros)