“Yes Bank Gains Momentum as RBI Approves SMBC Stake Increase to 24.99%”

Yes Bank in Spotlight as RBI Approves SMBC Stake Increase to 24.99%.

Yes Bank on Friday announced that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted approval to Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) to acquire up to 24.99% of the private sector lender. Following this development, Yes Bank shares are expected to attract investor attention on Monday. On Friday, the stock closed at ₹19.28, down 0.77% on the NSE.

The move builds on Yes Bank’s May 9, 2025 disclosure, in which SMBC had outlined plans to acquire a 20% stake through secondary purchases — 13.19% from State Bank of India and 6.81% from seven other shareholders, including Axis Bank, Bandhan Bank, Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDFC First Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank.

In a regulatory filing, Yes Bank said:

“We are pleased to inform that SMBC has received RBI approval to acquire up to 24.99% of the paid-up share capital/voting rights of the Bank as per the letter dated August 22, 2025. This approval is valid for one year. The RBI has clarified that SMBC will not be considered a promoter of the Bank following this acquisition.”

The approval is subject to compliance with the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the RBI’s Master Direction and Guidelines on Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies, and relevant provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.

Yes Bank added that the transaction will also require Competition Commission of India (CCI) clearance and must meet customary closing conditions outlined in the May 9 agreements.