SoftBank Assembles $40B Financing Deal with 21 Lenders for OpenAI Stake

Key Highlights

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Twenty-one additional financial institutions have joined SoftBank’s $40 billion bridge financing arrangement for its OpenAI investment through expanded syndication
Approximately $7 billion has been distributed among the new lending group, with First Abu Dhabi Bank, GIC, and Standard Chartered each committing close to $1 billion
Finalized in March with a 12-month term, this bridge facility ranks among the Asia-Pacific region’s most substantial financings on record
Masayoshi Son’s total OpenAI investment pledges have surpassed $60 billion, targeting a company valued at $852 billion during its March capital raise
Underwriters and primary lenders continue to hold the outstanding $33 billion, which may undergo additional syndication

SoftBank has successfully expanded its $40 billion bridge financing facility to encompass 21 additional lending institutions, as reported by sources with direct knowledge of the transaction.

SoftBank’s $40 billion bridge loan for its investment in US tech giant OpenAI has attracted a new group of 21 lenders in a broader syndication phase, according to sources https://t.co/0I1Py9DFTb
— Bloomberg (@business) July 27, 2026

The newly expanded banking consortium has received allocation of approximately $7 billion from the overall credit facility. First Abu Dhabi Bank, Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, and Standard Chartered Bank have each secured commitments approaching $1 billion. The balance has been distributed among financial institutions from Europe, Japan, and Taiwan.

The outstanding $33 billion portion remains with the original underwriting banks and senior lending partners. Industry sources indicate this segment may undergo further distribution among additional financial institutions, which represents typical procedure for transactions of this magnitude.

Executed in March with a maturity date of March 2027, the financing arrangement provides a 12-month utilization period. Market analysts characterize this as among the most significant bridge financing transactions ever executed across the Asia-Pacific markets, projected to deliver underwriting fees exceeding $100 million.

The syndicate’s lead arrangers comprise JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and MUFG Bank. The sub-underwriting group features HSBC, BNP Paribas, and Intesa Sanpaolo.

Capital Deployment Strategy for OpenAI

The credit facility was engineered to finance a $30 billion follow-on capital injection into OpenAI via SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2 vehicle. The additional $10 billion allocation supports broader corporate requirements.

SoftBank executed an initial drawdown of $10 billion on April 1, 2026. The financing structure includes two subsequent tranches of $10 billion apiece, scheduled for deployment on July 1 and October 1 of the current year.

The credit facility incorporates an initial interest margin of approximately 250 basis points above the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. Based on prevailing market rates, the effective interest cost stands at roughly 6.14%.

Masayoshi Son’s Artificial Intelligence Gamble

SoftBank founder and chief executive Masayoshi Son has maintained a highly visible commitment to OpenAI for an extended period. His aggregate investment pledges to the artificial intelligence company have now crossed $60 billion.

OpenAI submitted documentation for public market listing last month and achieved an $852 billion valuation during its March financing round.

The $30 billion channeled through this credit facility constitutes one of the most substantial individual investments ever directed toward a privately held technology enterprise. For perspective, Vision Fund 2’s original capitalization totaled approximately $56 billion.

The 12-month financing timeframe requires SoftBank to execute a refinancing transaction, liquidate portfolio assets, or secure equity capital before the March 2027 deadline.

Several banking professionals previously expressed reservations regarding SoftBank’s concentrated exposure to OpenAI, which confronts intensifying competition from challengers including Anthropic.

Prior to the broader syndication process initiated in May, nine financial institutions had already participated in the transaction.

SoftBank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Standard Chartered, and GIC all declined to provide commentary.