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SoftBank Negotiates Up to $40 Billion Bridge Loan to Boost OpenAI Stake

S&P’s outlook cut underscores the liquidity risk tied to the group’s accelerated pivot into AI.

Overview

  • The Japanese conglomerate is in talks for a roughly 12‑month bridge facility reportedly underwritten by four global banks, with JPMorgan among them.
  • People familiar with the matter say negotiations are ongoing and the final size, terms, and structure could change.
  • The prospective loan follows OpenAI’s February 27 announcement of a $110 billion funding round that includes a $30 billion commitment from SoftBank.
  • SoftBank has been recycling assets to fund its AI strategy, including selling its entire Nvidia stake, borrowing against Arm shares, and issuing long‑dated hybrid bonds.
  • S&P lowered SoftBank’s credit outlook citing liquidity concerns linked to the OpenAI exposure, and the company’s shares dipped on the reports.