How much did SoftBank raise and from whom?

SoftBank secured an $11.87 billion two-year loan last week, with commitments from around 20 banks, according to people familiar with the matter.

What else is SoftBank doing to fund its OpenAI bet?

It has a $10 billion margin loan backed by its OpenAI stake and is considering a bond sale of as much as $20 billion. It also plans to repay the $25.9 billion balance on a $40 billion loan on Sept. 15.

Why did SoftBank shares drop?

SoftBank shares tumbled as much as 13% Monday, the most since July 17, amid concerns about growing credit risks in the AI sector.

AI Business & IndustryJapan Times TechSep 14, 2026Sep 14, 2026, 13:00 JST

SoftBank lands $11.87 billion loan for OpenAI bet

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3 Key Points

What happened
SoftBank Group closed an $11.87 billion two-year loan last week, drawing commitments from around 20 banks, up from its earlier $10 billion target.
Why it matters
The borrowing adds to a wave of SoftBank debt tied to OpenAI, including a $10 billion margin loan and a possible bond sale of as much as $20 billion.
What to watch
SoftBank plans to repay the $25.9 billion balance on a $40 billion loan on Sept. 15, and will meet New York investors this week on a potential junk-bond sale.

WHO IT HITSThis affects SoftBank's creditors and bond investors assessing the company's growing debt load tied to OpenAI, as well as its shareholders, who saw the stock fall as much as 13% Monday.

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Context & Analysis

SoftBank's latest borrowing is part of a broader push to fund its stake in OpenAI. The company has already raised the equivalent of about $37 billion so far this year from offshore and domestic bond sales and loans, and it is slated to invest close to $65 billion in OpenAI by October. Alongside the new loan, SoftBank holds a $10 billion margin loan backed by its OpenAI stake and is weighing a U.S. dollar junk-bond sale of as much as $20 billion, with investor meetings in New York this week.

The financing comes as some executives are voicing the need to slow AI development due to escalating risks. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in an interview with Fortune that his company would not proceed with a public offering this year as it addresses safety-related concerns. SoftBank shares fell as much as 13% Monday, the most since July 17.

SoftBank also plans to repay the $25.9 billion balance on a $40 billion loan on Sept. 15, a non-collateralized borrowing originally due in March next year. The outcome hinges on whether SoftBank can keep refinancing its OpenAI-related debt without straining credit markets, a question likely to matter most to its lenders and bondholders.

FAQ

How much did SoftBank raise and from whom?: SoftBank secured an $11.87 billion two-year loan last week, with commitments from around 20 banks, according to people familiar with the matter.
What else is SoftBank doing to fund its OpenAI bet?: It has a $10 billion margin loan backed by its OpenAI stake and is considering a bond sale of as much as $20 billion. It also plans to repay the $25.9 billion balance on a $40 billion loan on Sept. 15.
Why did SoftBank shares drop?: SoftBank shares tumbled as much as 13% Monday, the most since July 17, amid concerns about growing credit risks in the AI sector.

Japan Times TechRead Original Article

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