At 10:52 AM on May 6, 2025, Yes Bank shares were trading at ₹18.24, up around 3% from the previous close of ₹17.71. The stock opened strong at ₹19.24 and touched a high of ₹19.44 before dipping to a low of ₹18.18 during early trade. Investors are showing renewed interest, making the stock one of the top movers in the banking sector today.
Why Are Yes Bank Shares Rising Today?
Yes Bank shares surged over 9% during the opening session after reports emerged that Japanese financial giant Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) is once again in talks to acquire a controlling stake in the bank. According to Moneycontrol, the State Bank of India (SBI), which currently holds around 23.97% stake in Yes Bank, has reopened discussions with SMBC to offload up to 20% of its holding.
This potential deal is seen as a major development, especially as it signals an exit path for SBI and other banks that had stepped in during Yes Bank’s 2020 crisis. Back then, public and private lenders, including Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank, had come together to rescue the troubled bank.
Sources say that in the initial phase, banks like Axis, Kotak, and HDFC may also sell part of their stakes to SMBC. As of March 2025, key stakeholders included LIC, Vervanta Holdings (9.2%), and CA Basque Investments (6.84%). Retail participation remains strong too, with around 62 lakh small investors holding a collective 22.55% stake.
What’s adding to investor confidence is that SMBC has reportedly received certain assurances regarding voting rights and management control, making the deal more likely to go through smoothly. If finalized, this strategic move could bring fresh capital, stronger international support, and renewed stability to Yes Bank, which explains the current surge in share prices.