TLDR
- SoftBank secured a $40 billion unsecured bridge loan to invest further in OpenAI
- The loan matures in March 2027
- Lenders include JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Mizuho, SMBC, and MUFG Bank
- SoftBank had already committed $30 billion to OpenAI via its Vision Fund 2
- The loan is also for general corporate purposes
SoftBank Group announced on Friday it has secured a $40 billion loan through a bridge facility. The funds will go toward further investment in OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, and for general corporate purposes.
🔥 JUST IN: SoftBank secures $40 billion loan to fund further investment in OpenAI.
Lenders include JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Mizuho, SMBC, and MUFG.
SoftBank had already committed $30 billion to OpenAI.$AI $MSFT $NVDA pic.twitter.com/71Kj30q4DB
— MarketPulseHQ (@MPulseHQ) March 27, 2026
The bridge loan is unsecured, meaning SoftBank did not put up assets as collateral. It is set to mature in March 2027.
The loan was arranged with a group of major banks. Lenders include JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, and MUFG Bank.
This is not SoftBank’s first move into OpenAI. The Japanese investment giant had already agreed to put $30 billion into OpenAI through its Vision Fund 2.
The new $40 billion facility adds to that existing commitment. Combined, SoftBank’s total exposure to OpenAI could reach a very large sum depending on how the funds are deployed.
SoftBank shares rose 3.24% on the Tokyo Stock Exchange following the announcement. The ticker trades under the code 9984 on the Tokyo exchange.
SoftBank’s Growing OpenAI Position
SoftBank has been one of the most active investors in AI over the past few years. Its Vision Fund 2 has been the main vehicle for these bets.
The $30 billion OpenAI deal through Vision Fund 2 was already one of the largest single investments in an AI company. The new bridge loan suggests SoftBank plans to go even further.
OpenAI is the company behind ChatGPT, which launched in late 2022 and quickly became one of the most widely used AI tools in the world. OpenAI has been raising money at a rapid pace to fund its operations and model development.
The Bridge Loan Structure
A bridge loan is a short-term financing tool. It is typically used to secure funds quickly while longer-term financing is arranged.
The fact that this loan is unsecured is worth noting. It means the banks are lending based on SoftBank’s overall creditworthiness, not against specific assets.
The one-year term, maturing in March 2027, gives SoftBank a tight window to either repay or refinance the debt.
JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs are two of the largest investment banks in the United States. Their involvement alongside three major Japanese banks shows broad lender confidence in the deal.
SoftBank has not yet specified exactly how much of the $40 billion will go directly to OpenAI versus other corporate uses.
The announcement came on Friday, March 27, 2026. SoftBank’s Tokyo-listed stock closed up 3.24% on the day of the news.
Considering a new stock? You may want to see what’s on our watchlist first.
Our team at Knockout Stocks follows top-performing analysts and market-moving trends to spot potential winners early. We’ve identified five stocks gaining quiet attention that could be worth watching now. Create your free account to unlock the full report and get ongoing stock insights.Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
