RBI Clears SMBC to Acquire Up to 24.99% Stake in Yes Bank; Not Classified as Promoter

Mumbai-based private lender Yes Bank Ltd announced that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) to acquire up to 24.99% stake in the bank. The approval, dated August 22, 2025, is valid for one year. The transaction, first disclosed in May 2025, involves SMBC purchasing a 20% stake via secondary transactions, including 13.19% from State Bank of India and 6.81% from seven other banks. RBI clarified that SMBC will not be classified as a promoter post-acquisition. The approval is subject to compliance with banking regulations, FEMA provisions, and RBI directions, with conditions including a lock-in period and regulatory oversight on future transactions. Completion of the deal also requires clearance from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and fulfillment of other conditions in the share purchase agreements. Yes Bank shares closed at ₹19.28 on Friday, down 0.77%, though the stock has gained 8% in the past six months. Hashtags: #YesBank #SMBC #RBIApproval #BankingSector #StakeAcquisition #IndianBanking