SoftBank gets upsized $11.9 billion loan in OpenAI funding push

Japanese conglomerate SoftBank secured an $11.87 billion loan to back its investment in U.S. AI firm OpenAI, more than double its initial target of $10 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. The two-year facility was finalized last week, attracting commitments from approximately 20 banks, though the individuals declined to be identified due to their lack of authorization to speak publicly.

This financing follows growing calls from some executives to slow down AI development due to mounting risks associated with the technology. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman disclosed in a Fortune interview that his company would postpone a public offering this year to address safety concerns. SoftBank shares plummeted up to 13% on Monday, marking their lowest point since July 17.

This latest borrowing bolsters SoftBank's recent debt financing initiatives related to its OpenAI investment, including a $10 billion margin loan backed by its stake in OpenAI and a potential bond sale of up to $20 billion, despite concerns over increasing credit risks in the AI sector. SoftBank announced that it would repay the remaining balance of a $40 billion loan obtained earlier this year to finance its investment in OpenAI by September 15, as per a company statement.

The non-collateralized borrowing was set to mature in March of next year. SoftBank is scheduled to engage with investors in New York this week to gauge interest in a potential U.S. dollar junk-bond sale, with estimates ranging from $10 billion to $20 billion, sources familiar with the matter reported last month. SoftBank, led by billionaire Masayoshi Son, plans to invest nearly $65 billion in OpenAI by October, having already raised roughly $37 billion this year through bond sales and loans, including the most recent facility, according to Bloomberg-compiled data.