The State Bank of India (SBI) has approved the divestment of a 13.19% stake in Yes Bank Limited to Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) for a total consideration of approximately ₹8,888.97 crore, the bank said in an exchange filing on May 9, 2025.
SBI will offload 413.44 crore equity shares of Yes Bank at a price of ₹21.50 per share, subject to regulatory and statutory approvals. This marks a significant return on SBI’s original investment, as the bank had acquired Yes Bank shares at ₹10 per share in 2020 during the bailout.
As of March 2025, SBI held a 23.97% stake in Yes Bank. With this partial exit, SBI will nearly halve its holding while realizing substantial gains, nearly doubling its investment value on the shares sold.
The transaction signifies a strategic shift in Yes Bank’s shareholding and a growing international interest in India’s banking sector. SMBC’s investment could further strengthen Yes Bank’s capital base and open new avenues for collaboration.
The divestment was approved by the Executive Committee of the Central Board (ECCB) and complies with SEBI’s Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR).
