Islamic Banking: a Growing or Shrinking Consumer Market in Kuwait?

Islamic Banking: a Growing or Shrinking Consumer Market in Kuwait?
By Faten Jabsheh, Weam Behbehani, and Shaima Al-Shamali

Abstract: "The steady expansion of Islamic banks (IBs) has been the hallmark of the Muslim financial landscape of the 1980s and 1990s. With a network that covers over 60 countries and an asset base of over $166 billion, Islamic banks are currently playing an increasingly significant financial and developmental role in their respective economies. Islamic banking has gained increased attention in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) over the past number of years, capturing a growing 13% share of total Islamic banking assets around the world. This paper questions the growth of Islamic banking activity in the GCC, and focuses on developing prospects for one GCC country, namely Kuwait. Using detailed survey instruments regarding the provision of various Islamic banking services, the results of this study affirm the hypothesis that Islamic banking is claiming a growing market share and consumer market in Kuwait."

Islamic Banking: a Growing or Shrinking Consumer Market in Kuwait?

Harvard Islamic Finance Project DataBank

The Harvard Islamic Finance Project (IFP) website contains reports of IFP events for the past sixteen years and the Databank with over 9,000 records which include bibliographic information along with abstracts on articles, books, book chapters, conferences and theses relevant to the field of Islamic finance and economics. In addition to these resources, a collection of Quranic verses and hadith as well as a glossary of terms related to Islamic finance are included.


Users can register and access the Databank free of cost at http://ifp.law.harvard.edu. The IFP also features an option for users to submit their own published work or any relevant items via "Submit Your Work" option on the menu bar.


Many thanks to Muhammad Hassaan Yousuf for highlighting this resource.

Harvard Islamic Finance Project DataBank

Economic Performance of the OIC Countries and the Prospect of an Islamic Common Market

Economic Performance of the OIC Countries and the Prospect of an Islamic Common Market
By Kabir Hassan

Abstract: "This paper examines economic performance of the OIC member countries and analyzes the prospect of Islamic common market by analyzing trade data within a gravity model framework. There is scope of trade creation for OIC member countries if all impediments to trade and business can be eliminated. The paper also examines various sub-regional grouping within the context of gravity model, and finds that D8 comprising eight bigger OIC member countries is trade creating. For example, two countries in D8 block would trade 22 times more among themselves than two otherwise-similar country in outside the block would. The paper suggests a number of policy parameters which if followed will lead to more trade among member countries. The issue of Islamic common market should be examined further in light of new data and changed global perspectives. This paper is complements and extends Hassan (2002) and Hassan and Islam (2001), where similar conclusions were derived and policies were suggested."

Economic Performance of the OIC Countries and the Prospect of an Islamic Common Market

5th International Islamic Capital Market Forum (IICMF)

Risk Sharing: A Way Forward To Public Good
5th International Islamic Capital Market Forum (IICMF)
Kuala Lumpur on 10th November 2011

The IICMF is an effort by the SC to promote the Islamic capital market and serves as a capacity and knowledge building forum that addresses current issues, including strengths, challenges, risks and opportunities in the Islamic finance industry. The 5th IICMF will focus on a risk-sharing system as an alternative to the present fractional banking system from the perspectives of the economics, legal and Shariah.

The details on the event can also be viewed at http://www.sc.com.my/eng/html/icm/iicmf/iicmf_2011.pdf

5th International Islamic Capital Market Forum (IICMF)

Intertemporal Test of Beta Stationarity Performance of Islamic Sector Structured Mutual Funds

Intertemporal Test of Beta Stationarity Performance of Islamic Sector Structured Mutual Funds
By Mahmoud Haddad, Ghassem Homaifar, Said Elfakhani and Hikmat Ahmedov

Abstract: "The purpose of this research paper is to examine social Islamic mutual funds’ financial performance. Since Islamic mutual funds have only been around for the past two decades, most of the research on this topic is fairly new. In this study we apply the single factor model of Schwert and Seguin (1990) to a sample of Islamic mutual funds. The Islamic mutual funds market is one of the fastest growing sectors within the Islamic financial system. Several studies have investigated the characteristics of individual Islamic mutual funds (see Elfakhani, et al (2006), Elfakhani ,et al (2005), and Hassan, et al (2005). We are not aware of any studies that have applied the Schwert and Seguin methodology to Islamic mutual funds. Such an application is important because it allows for studying the impact of market volatility on the time variation of monthly betas and the corresponding returns. Using the S&P 500 and the FTSE Global Islamic indices on sector structured Islamic mutual funds, our results suggest that the volatility of the market and that of the Islamic mutual funds portfolio behave differently with inter and intra market proxies. There is also evidence that the volatility persistence of each Islamic mutual fund portfolio and its systematic risk are significantly related. Hence, the systematic risks of different portfolios tend to move in a different direction during periods of increased market volatility. As a result, we gain an insight into the return dynamics and the process by which Islamic mutual funds prices are determined."

Intertemporal Test of Beta Stationarity Performance of Islamic Sector Structured Mutual Funds

Survey: Perspectives on Trends in Islamic Finance

Hello Global Islamic Finance Resources community,


We are a team of MBA students working on a research project revolving around trends of the Islamic Finance industry. We are hoping to gather some feedback and opinions from the GIFR community on some identified trends that we believe exhibit increasing prominence in shaping the industry for the future. We have prepared a short questionnaire that would take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Your responses would go a long way in assisting us in our research.


Thanks in advance!

Survey: Perspectives on Trends in Islamic Finance

Survey: Perspectives on Trends in Islamic Finance

Have Islamic Banks Been More Resistant than Conventional Banks to the 2007-2008 Financial Crisis?

Have Islamic Banks Been More Resistant than Conventional Banks to the 2007-2008 Financial Crisis?
By Khawla Bourkhis and Mahmoud Sami Nabi

Abstract: "The recent global financial crisis has induced a series of failure of many conventional banks and led to a renewal of Minsky (1986)’s critics about the inherent instability of the fractional-reserve banking. In this context, many economists advocate for the return to narrow banking and/or for favoring the development of Islamic banking supposed to be more resilient to the financial crises. This paper attempts to answer empirically the two following questions: i) Have Islamic banks (IBs) been more resistant than their conventional peers (CBs) to the 2007-2008 financial crisis? ii) Could the presence of Islamic banks in a conventional banking system enhance the overall systemic stability? The main findings are the following. Before the financial crisis, IBs were more profitable than CBs. Then, in 2007-2008, only the large IBs remained more profitable than the large CBs. However, IBs became less profitable in 2009 when the crisis’s pass-through to the real economy had sufficiently increased. Moreover, we show that CBs were more resistant to the crisis than IBs. Hence, IBs illustrated a degree of resilience and stability during the first (financial) wave of the crisis. However, they have been impacted during the second (real) wave because of their higher exposure to real estate and their limited reliance on risk sharing instruments. Nevertheless, we find a positive externality of large IBs on the soundness of large CBs which could be justified by their asynchronous reactions to the crisis."

Have Islamic Banks Been More Resistant than Conventional Banks to the 2007-2008 Financial Crisis?

The International Role of Islamic Finance

The International Role of Islamic Finance
QFinance
By Andreas Jobst

Executive Summary

• Islamic finance has become mainstream, with more than US$800 billion of assets worldwide. However, it still faces distinct developmental challenges from economic and legal constraints associated with sukuk, banking-specific issues, and fragmented financial regulation.

• Although Islamic capital markets and banking have defied the impact of the financial crisis, some negative effects were felt in 2008 and are likely to inhibit further expansion.

• Despite current challenges, most of which arise from the infancy of the industry, Islamic finance has promising long-term prospects.

The International Role of Islamic Finance

The 1997-98 East Asian Financial Crises: an Islamic Perspective

The 1997-98 East Asian Financial Crises: an Islamic Perspective
By Adam B. Elhiraika

Abstract: "This paper examines the causes and policy implications of the 1997-98 financial crises in East Asia from an Islamic perspective. The paper suggests that the crises may be better understood as consequences of internal contradictions in the interest-based financial system as regards risk and return sharing between financiers and entrepreneurs. The analysis challenges orthodox policy prescriptions and concludes that the Islamic principle of partnership in finance, which calls for profit and loss sharing and emphasizes the need for project finance, seems to provide the ingredients for the long-sought solutions."

The 1997-98 East Asian Financial Crises: an Islamic Perspective

The Stability of Islamic Banks During the Subprime Crisis

The Stability of Islamic Banks During the Subprime Crisis
Aniss Boumediene, Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises de Paris (IAE Paris)
Jerome Caby, ICN Business School
December 2009

Abstract: "This empirical study examines the stability of Islamic banks during the subprime crisis. It covers a sample of fourteen Islamic banks and fourteen conventional banks. The conditional variance (volatility) of returns was used to measure stability. The E-GARCH and GJR-GARCH asymmetric models were used to estimate volatility due to their ability to take into account the leverage effect. The results of this study show that conventional bank returns were highly volatile during the crisis period, while Islamic banks saw their volatility - initially low - increase during the crisis, though to a much more moderate extent. These results corroborate both the hypothesis that Islamic banks were at least partially immune to the subprime crisis and the underlying hypothesis that Islamic banks are not subject to the same risks as conventional banks - although, due to their links with the real economy, they do eventually suffer the consequences of the subprime crisis."

The Stability of Islamic Banks During the Subprime Crisis

Problems and Prospects of Islamic Banking: a Case Study of Takaful

Problems and Prospects of Islamic Banking: a Case Study of Takaful
Ahmad, Mohd Izhar; Masood, Tariq and Khan, Mohd Saeed
April 2010

Abstract: "The paper is an attempt to analyse the working of Takaul in the world and its popularity in the insurance sector in the world. Keeping in view of Sharia we have also tried all possible aspects of insurance system popular in the world and tried to look at its possibility to familiarize more amongst Muslims of the world. It is observed that customer awareness remain low, however this is often attributed to a limited understanding of Islamic finance in the banking and insurance world. We wish to have a proper salesmanship and advertisement of Islamic banking system in India and all around the world."

Problems and Prospects of Islamic Banking: a Case Study of Takaful

The Importance of Shari’Ah Supervision in Islamic Financial Institutions

The Importance of Shari’Ah Supervision in Islamic Financial Institutions
Hussain Gulzar Rammal
University of South Australia - International Graduate School of Management
Spring 2006

Abstract: "Islamic financing differs from conventional financing in that it prohibits the payment or receipt of interest. The concept of interest-free financing existed prior to the advent of Islam and was embraced in ancient Arabia. The concept was officially launched in the 1970’s by the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) and introduced in most Muslim nations and some Non-Muslim nations. But while it has experienced phenomenal growth rate, the Islamic financial system has been criticized for failing to incorporate the true spirit of Shari’ah in their actions. Islamic financial institutions are also divided over the interpretation of which products are considered halal (acceptable under Islamic law). In order to overcome some of these issues, financial institutions dealing with Islamic products are required to utilize the services of a Shari’ah adviser or a Shari’ah Supervisory Board (SSB). The paper recommends a more collaborative effort between the central banks of Muslim nations and regulatory organizations."

The Importance of Shari’Ah Supervision in Islamic Financial Institutions

Do Islamic Banks Employ Less Earnings Management?

Do Islamic Banks Employ Less Earnings Management?
Majdi Anwar Quttainah, Laing Song and Qiang Wu

Abstract: "In this paper, we examine 1) whether Islamic banks are less likely to manage their earnings, and 2) how the corporate governance system, especially Shari’ah Supervisory Boards (SSBs), impacts the earnings management behaviors within Islamic banks. Using a sample of Islamic Banks and a matched non-Islamic Banks in the ERF region, we find that first; Islamic Banks are less likely to conduct earnings management as measured by both earnings loss avoidance and abnormal loan loss provisions. Second, there is no significant difference between Islamic Banks with and without SSBs in terms of earnings management. Third, several SSB characteristics and board characteristics, such as SSB size, Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Intuitions (AAOIFI), and outside board members, are important determinants of the earnings management for Islamic Banks with SSBs."

Do Islamic Banks Employ Less Earnings Management?

Islamic Bond Issuance - What Sovereign Debt Managers Need to Know

Islamic Bond Issuance - What Sovereign Debt Managers Need to Know
Prepared by Andreas Jobst, Peter Kunzel, Paul Mills, and Amadou Sy
IMF Policy Discussion Paper
Monetary and Capital Markets Department
July 2008

Abstract: "Recent years have witnessed a surge in the issuance of Islamic capital market securities (sukuk) by corporates and public sector entities amid growing demand for alternative investments. As the sukuk market continues to develop, new challenges and opportunities for sovereign debt managers and capital market development arise. This paper reviews the key developments in the sukuk market and informs the debate about challenges and opportunities going forward."


Alternate link (SSRN)

Islamic Bond Issuance - What Sovereign Debt Managers Need to Know

Banking Behavior of Islamic Bank Customers: Perspectives and Implications

Banking Behavior of Islamic Bank Customers: Perspectives and Implications
Saad A. Metawa, Associate Professor of Finance, University of Bahrain
Mohammed Almossawi, Assistant Professor of Marketing, University of Bahrain

Abstract: "Describes a study designed to investigate the banking behavior of Islamic bank customers in the state of Bahrain. The study sample comprised 300 customers. A comprehensive profile analysis and a series of chi-square tests were conducted to reveal key characteristics and patterns: the majority of Islamic bank customers are well educated; approximately 80 per cent are between 25-50 years of age; more than 50 per cent of the surveyed customers have maintained their current banking relationship with Islamic banks for more than six years; customers’ awareness and usage rates are quite high for savings accounts, current accounts, investment accounts and automated teller machines; customers were found to be most satisfied with the products/services they use most, with the investment accounts receiving the highest satisfaction score; Islamic bank employees received the highest satisfaction score among the elements of the service delivery system; the two most important bank selection criteria were adherence to the Islamic principles, followed by the rate of return."

Banking Behavior of Islamic Bank Customers: Perspectives and Implications

Islamic Finance and Sharia Compliant Transactions in India and Abroad: A Comparative Study

Islamic Finance and Sharia Compliant Transactions in India and Abroad: A Comparative Study
Tanay Nandi, National Law University Jodhpur (NLUJ)
Satabdee Mohanty, Gujarat National Law University
July 2010

Abstract: "One of the fundamental principles governing Islamic financing is that the receipt of interest is prohibited. This is categorically stated in the Qur'an: "Those who devour Riba (interest) will not stand except as stands one whom the devil hath driven to madness by (his) touch" (II:275) In an investment environment, Riba is interpreted as any return on money that is predetermined in amount and therefore includes modern day interest-based financing. Islamic principles allow instead for the replacement of interest by a return that is dependent upon the profitability of the underlying investment.


In addition, Islamic principles permit the financing of sales by means of deferred payment at a premium to the spot price. Modern scholars have also encouraged asset-backed finance where the return to the financier is linked either to the provision of an asset to the client or to the acquisition of an asset from the client. In all of the above a clear linkage emerges between the earning of returns and the assumption of risk.


But, in India it is in the embryonic stage. However, there are some non-banking cooperative societies being operated across the India that follows the fundament finance law. But, still no Islamic banks as per Reserve Bank of India’s norms have been settled in India.


This paper starts off by examining the banking structures with an Islamic finance window in other countries such as UK, Malaysia, Hong Kong etc, and goes on to examine the causes for its negligible presence in India and ends with emphasizing the need for a greater participation from the bankers in India in support of Islamic Finance."

Islamic Finance and Sharia Compliant Transactions in India and Abroad: A Comparative Study

Risk & Return of Islamic Stock Market Indexes

Risk & Return of Islamic Stock Market Indexes
Conference Paper
Sam Hakim and Manochehr Rashidian
2002

Abstract: "The Dow Jones Islamic market index - US (DJIMI) tracks the stocks of corporations compatible with Islamic law. A parallel and unrestricted counterpart of DJIMI is the Wilshire 5000 Index (W5000) which tracks the price performance of the largest 5000 US companies. Of that index, approximately 75% of the companies fail to meet the Islamic criteria, leaving only approximately 700 companies as potential candidates for inclusion in the DJIMI. Using cointegration techniques we place the DJIMI under analytical scrutiny and ask (1) how has this selection restriction affected the performance of Islamic investments represented by the DJIM index? (2) is the DJIM index less diversified than the DJW index? (3) if so, to what extent has the limited diversification affected its risk and return? (4) and finally, what dynamic correlation and long-term relationship exist between the two indexes over time."

Risk & Return of Islamic Stock Market Indexes

Attitudes, Perceptions and Motivations of Libyan Retail Consumers toward Islamic Methods of Finance

Attitudes, Perceptions and Motivations of Libyan Retail Consumers toward Islamic Methods of Finance
Alsadek Gait, Andrew C. Worthington
March 2009

Abstract: "This paper reports the results of a survey of 385 Libyan retail consumers in December 2007-February 2008 used to gather attitudes, perceptions and motivations towards Islamic methods of finance. The results indicate that while most respondents have at least some knowledge about some aspects of Islamic finance, specifically Musharakah (full-equity business partnerships) and Quard Hassan (interest-free benevolent loans), they are generally unaware of many other related products. Nonetheless, most respondents (85.9%) are potential users of Islamic methods of finance at the retail level, though potential use varying markedly according to age, level of education, employment, income and nationality. Factor analysis reduces the large number of variables that determine retail consumers' attitudes, perceptions and motivations towards Islamic methods of finance to just four determinants: namely, community service, profitability, religion and unique services. Discriminant analysis shows that religion and community service are the most important factors determining the potential use of Islamic methods of finance by retail consumers in Libya."

Attitudes, Perceptions and Motivations of Libyan Retail Consumers toward Islamic Methods of Finance

Risk and Stability in Islamic Banking

Risk and Stability in Islamic Banking
Pejman Abedifar, Philip Molyneux, Amine Tarazi
April 2011

Abstract: "This paper investigates risk and stability features of Islamic banking using a simultaneous modeling framework and a sample of 456 banks from 22 countries between 2001 and 2008. We find no significant difference between Islamic and conventional banks in terms of insolvency risk. The results on credit risk suggest that Islamic banks write-off credits more frequently or/and have lower loan recoverability compared to conventional banks. We also observe that Islamic banks benefit less than conventional banks from the negative impact of asset size on both their credit and insolvency risks. Our results are robust to different samples, estimation procedures, risk variables and other modeling specifications."

Risk and Stability in Islamic Banking

Opalesque Islamic Finance Intelligence - Sixteenth Issue

We have compiled a great mix of content for this edition of OIFI (download the PDF version), and we start with our Editorial's anecdotal perspective of the MENA region.  Having repeatedly received inquires regarding consumer appetite for Islamic finance products, our Featured Resource section compiles various country studies on consumer awareness, behaviour and perception.

Mudaraba applied in the context of microfinance is the theme for the Featured Structure segment, as scrutinized by practitioner Azhar Nadeem. Hdeel Abdelhady provides an operational perspective to Islamic finance in Lex Islamicus - with particular emphasis on governance and Shariah Board reports (SBRs).

Having spent time in Matsushima (one of the three famous "views" of Japan) in the north of Miyagi prefecture, it is a welcome coincidence that the Kulliyyah Korner features the research of Kyoto-based Nagaoka Shinsuke. Our best goes to him and everyone in Japan.

The Industry Snapshot offers a further analysis of Education based on the EPL concept (Education, Perception, Liquidity), as seen by strategist Joy Abdullah. This is followed by Douglas Clark Johnson who shares his perspective on Bahrain in our Opinion Column.

We hope you enjoy the sixteenth edition of OIFI and as always we are glad to hear from our readers and welcoming all comments & feedback. Remember that you can visit our online archive (see reference link) for access to our ever-growing databank of Opalesque Islamic Finance Briefing as well as all of the back issues of Opalesque Islamic Finance Intelligence.

Download the complete issue of Opalesque Islamic Finance Intelligence here.

Alternatively you can read each article separately in the OIFI Archive:
Editor’s Note: In the Name of Egypt
Featured Resource: The Islamic Finance Consumer
Featured Structure: Islamic Business Contracts and Microfinance A case of Mudaraba
Lex Islamicus: Operational Excellence is the Key to Unlocking Lasting Value in Islamic Finance
Kulliyyah Korner: On the Theoretical Dichotomy of Islamic Finance
Industry Snapshot: E.P.L. in Islamic Finance - Education (Extra Time)
Opinion Column: Bahrain: Time to be Truly Business-Friendly

Opalesque Islamic Finance Intelligence - Sixteenth Issue