Banking for the poor: the role of Islamic banking in microfinance initiatives

Humanomics ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to review the microfinance scheme and discuss how Islamic banks can participate in such an endeavour without actually compromising the issue of institutional viability and sustainability.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on an extensive review of microfinance with the objective of building a case for Islamic banking to participate in a microfinance initiative.FindingsAs reviewed in this paper, microfinance requires innovative approaches beyond the traditional financial intermediary role. Among others, building human capacity through social intermediation and designing group‐based lending programmes are proven to be among the effective tools to reduce transaction costs and lower exposure to numerous financial risks in relation to providing credit to the rural poor. This paper also suggests the use of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) as one of the possible alternatives for Islamic banks channelling funds to the poor.Research limitations/implicationsIslamic banks may benefit from the spectrum of Shariah‐compliant sources of funds and offer a wide array of financing instruments catering for different needs and demands of their clients. Furthermore, the use of a bankruptcy‐remote entity like SPV can protect Islamic banks from any adverse effect of microfinance activities.Originality/valueThe analysis here is valuable in drawing the attention of Islamic banking practitioners to the fact that they can actually practise microfinance without undermining their institutional viability, competitiveness and sustainability. This is evident from the proposed model to incorporate SPV into their microfinance initiatives.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hardius Usman ◽  
Nucke Widowati Kusumo Projo ◽  
Chairy Chairy ◽  
Marissa Grace Haque

Purpose The study proposes an extended model of the technology acceptance model (TAM) by including Sharia compliance (SC), knowledge of SC and confidence in SC, in addition to perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU). This research aims to investigate its impact on satisfaction, applied in e-banking of Indonesian Islamic banking. Also, the authors study the role of SC, knowledge of SC and confidence in all relationships in TAM in explaining customer satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach Data collecting in this research is a self-administered survey by sending questionnaires to respondents online via e-mail or WhatsApp. The number of collected data are 300 completed questionnaires. Hypothesis testing and analyses in this research use the multiple linear regression model. Findings This study finds that SC, knowledge about SC and belief in SC have a significant impact on customer satisfaction of Islamic banks using e-banking. The most important finding in this study is that SC, knowledge about SC and belief in SC significantly moderate the relationship between PU and PEOU with customer satisfaction. Originality/value The originality of this research is exploring the role of SC, knowledge of SC and confidence in SC in all relationships, and it is expressed in the original TAM to explain customer satisfaction. This study has never been applied in previous studies, particularly studies of Islamic bank e-banking in Indonesia. This study highlights the importance of SC in the extended TAM, as a distinguishing factor between e-banking provided by Islamic banks and conventional banks, as well as the role of knowledge and confidence in SC. The authors propose policies that will be useful for the improvement of the market share of Islamic banking in Indonesia.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hardius Usman ◽  
Prijono Tjiptoherijanto ◽  
Tengku Ezni Balqiah ◽  
I. Gusti Ngurah Agung

Purpose This paper aims to examine the assumption used in previous studies that all Muslims adopt and believe the same law on the prohibition of bank interest and to investigate the indirect effect of religiosity on customers’ decision for using Islamic banking services. Design/methodology/approach This study uses an exploratory approach and the natural experimental design with seemingly causal models. A total of 363 questionnaires were distributed to three groups of bank customers, i.e. Islamic banks customers, conventional banks customers and customers of both banks (121 respondents in each group). Findings The results show that the role of religiosity in the customers’ decision for using the Islamic banking services depends on religious norms variable. Religiosity affects the decision of customers in the traditional group, but it does not have any effect for the contemporary group. Other findings suggest that religiosity indirectly affects the decision for using the Islamic banks through intervening variables of trust and information source. Originality/value This is the first paper to investigate the relationship between religiosity and customers’ decision for using the Islamic banking services by considering the religious norm variable. This paper also examines indirect affects of religiosity to the Islamic banks’ choice through intervening variables of trust and information source.


Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faisal Abbas ◽  
Shoaib Ali

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the moderating role of capital on the relationship between loan growth and credit risk for Islamic banks in the post-crisis era.Design/methodology/approachThe study used annual data of 217 Islamic banks from 38 countries and ranges from 2010–2019. The study applies a two-step system GMM method for hypotheses testing about the moderating role of bank capital on the relationship between loan growth and credit risk in Islamic banks.FindingsThe findings showed that an increase in loan growth increases the credit risk of Islamic banks, as evidenced by loan loss provisions, loan loss reserves and nonperforming loans. The results indicate that capital positively moderates the relationship between loan growth and credit risk in Islamic banking. The positive relationship between bank capital and risk-taking is in line with the “regulatory hypothesis” in banking. The findings predict lower impacts of capital on the relationship between loan growth and credit risk in the South Asian region than MENA, Africa, South, East and Central Asia regions. However, the impact of capital is higher for larger Islamic banks than medium and smaller ones.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study add value to the current debate on the role of bank capital to reduce risk-taking in Islamic banks. The study's findings have implications for policymakers, managers, especially in Islamic banking, for improving the Islamic financial system by managing the role of capital, loan growth and credit risk.Originality/valueThis is the first study to explore the moderating role of bank capital on the relationship between loan growth and credit risk in the post-crisis era, especially in Islamic banking. This is the first study in the Islamic banking context, which is providing empirical evidence for the impact of loan growth on the back looking and forward-looking proxies of credit risk under the moderating role of bank capitalization in the post-crisis era. This is the first study, which providing findings based on regions and size to compare the differences in Islamic banks for the impact of loan growth on credit risk under the moderating role of capitalization.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kausar Abbas ◽  
Nasim Shirazi

Purpose – This study aims to know the present structure and move of the Islamic banks of Pakistan as well as current issues and challenges for Islamic microfinance. However, this is based on perceptions of the Islamic bankers, regulators and micro-entrepreneurs and petty traders, as they are the key players in the credit market. Design/methodology/approach – The study gathered relevant information through conducting field survey. Two questionnaires were designed for the survey. One questionnaire was administered to survey 270 micro-entrepreneurs and petty traders in three major cities of Pakistan. Another survey deals with the perceptions of Islamic bankers. In total, 100 people from middle and top management were surveyed from five full-fledged Islamic banks of Pakistan. The SPSS software, version 16, was used for questionnaire reliability and descriptive analysis to analyse the data. Findings – In general, the study found the strong opinions of the respondents speak in favour of Islamic microfinance under a system of profit and loss sharing. Conversely, the majority of the clients also feel that Islamic banks do not encourage lower-income micro-entrepreneurs. In addition, the study found that Islamic microfinance is constrained by lack of knowledge, experience and professionalism of the supporting staff; however, Islamic bankers have shown great consensus that Islamic banks should offer Islamic microfinance products and instruments to respond to the needs of the poor for poverty alleviation. Research limitations/implications – The first limitation of the study is the meagre interest of micro-entrepreneurs and petty traders to participate in the survey. The second limitation of this work concerns the extremely busy schedule of top management and administrative impediment to approach and fix an appointment. Despite these limitations, the findings of this study provide insights to Islamic banks in diversifying their products by offering Islamic microfinance to the low-income entrepreneurs but with proper guidelines and policies. Practical implications – There is a need to educate the community towards the merits of Islamic banking system by developing a good information system using good visuals and professionally presented seminars, banners and arranging regular sessions with the business community. The growth and development of Islamic banking in the country largely depend on its customers’ enhanced knowledge and awareness about its products and services. Social implications – It is the responsibility of the community as well as of government to change the mindset of the poor that banks are meant to serve the interest of everybody, regardless of social, economic and political status. Originality/value – Theoretically, this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in the area of Islamic microfinance by examining the perceptions of Islamic bankers and micro-entrepreneurs. This can help Islamic banks of Pakistan to design and formulate new administrative as well as operational procedures to serve the interest of the poor with commitment towards Islamic values.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Dean ◽  
Dwi Suhartanto ◽  
Ferty Nadya Pujianti

Purpose This study aims to examine the role of social media influencers (SMI) in millennial behavioural intentions towards Islamic banks, from the perspective of both bank clients and non-clients. Design/methodology/approach Of the 484 Indonesian millennials in the sample, 278 were clients and 206 non-clients of Islamic banks. Factor analysis was used to examine the SMI dimension in the Islamic banking context. This study then used the partial least square to evaluate the proposed model and test the relationships between SMI, bank image, trust and behavioural intention. Findings Three SMI dimensions were confirmed, i.e. expertise, celebrity and similarity. For bank clients, the findings show that SMI has a significant influence on behavioural intention and reinforces bank image and trust. For non-clients, SMI does not have a significant impact on behavioural intentions but significantly strengthens bank image and trust. Practical implications Islamic bank managers can take benefit of this study findings by learning to foster the behavioural intentions of their millennial clients and non-clients using SMIs. Further, choosing the right SMIs for their Islamic bank is an important activity, and if they want to make a positive impact on existing and potential millennial clients, they need to choose popular millennials who are knowledgeable about the Islamic value compliance of Islamic banking services. Originality/value This study is an early study to explore SMI’s role in influencing the behavioural intentions of millennials towards Islamic banks.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Othman Ibrahim Altwijry ◽  
Mustafa Omar Mohammed ◽  
M. Kabir Hassan ◽  
Mohammad Selim

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop and thereafter validate a Sharīʿah-based FinTech Money Creation Free [SFMCF] model for Islamic banking. Design/methodology/approach The study has adopted a qualitative research methodology, using three approaches, namely, a survey of the literature to identify the research gap and the variables needed for developing the model, content analysis to construct the variables into a model and semi-structured interview with 10 experts in banking, Sharīʿah and Financial Technology (FinTech) to validate the SFMCF model. Findings The major findings of the study lie in developing the SFMCF model for Islamic banking, empirical validation of the model’s viability and acceptability and the implications for the main stakeholders of Islamic banks. Research limitations/implications The SFMCF model is specific to Islamic banking and its validation is based on the views of 10 experts. Practical implications The SFMCF would necessitate changes to the central bank regulatory framework, convince Islamic banks to forego their powers and advantages of creating money and enhance their abilities to fully adopt Sharīʿah-compliant FinTech. Social implications The proposed model if implemented would change positively the perception of the society particularly the stakeholders of Islamic banks and restore their trust and confidence about the direction of the institution toward achieving the Sharīʿah objectives. Originality/value The novelty of this work lies in developing and validating the viability and acceptability of the SFMCF model for Islamic banking.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Asmy Bin Mohd Thas Thaker ◽  
Hassanudin Bin Mohd Thas Thaker ◽  
Anwar Bin Allah Pitchay

Purpose This paper aims to examine the role of religion in influencing the public relations activity of Islamic banking institutions in Malaysia by adopting circuit of culture (COC) model as theoretical framework. Design/methodology/approach A narrative analysis is used in this study. This analysis has basically involved the application of symbolic interactionist tenets to respective websites and relevant documents of Islamic banks in Malaysia. Findings The paper has identified six Islamic value orientations elements, especially respect for religious authority, affinity with the past, fatalism, communal kinship, attachment to the eternal life and spirituality and idealism relative to public relations practice among the Islamic banks in Malaysia. The study finds that the respective banks are embedded with Islamic values in their communication tools that reflect public relations activity. Research limitations/implications The theme of value orientations that have been generated and used in this study are constantly in flux. There are some other orientations that might be affecting the cultural value of public relations activities of Islamic banking in Malaysia. Furthermore, these value orientations are less effective in identifying dominating cultural factors that can be amended with situational flexibility, as the current study focuses on Malaysian context. Future research is required by incorporating a quantitative means of testing and measuring the effectiveness of website by using cultural-economic model for building. Practical implications The study suggests that public relations researchers should not ignore the vital relationship between religion and public relations activity. The findings of this paper provide Islamic banking institutions to improve and enhance their public relations activity. Originality/value This paper offers an additional literature related to public relations activity by using cultural-economic model. While previous studies have focused on product, brand matters and organization behavior to define cultural and public relation, very little research has been focused on the role of religion in determining public relations activity and cultural pattern. Indeed, no study has been focused explicitly on public relations activity of Islamic banks in Malaysia using COC.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 301
Author(s):  
Haneen A. Al-Khawaja ◽  
Barjoyai Bardai

This research discusses in detail the theoretical aspect of the quality standards of banking services of traditional Islamic banks. The criterion of "Shari'ah Compliance" was added by the researcher to the importance and role of dealing with Islamic banks, the definition of this standard and its importance, how to test it for banks as well as how, without the legitimate commitment of these banks to what is classified as Islamic from the foundation, we focus on the importance of the existence of a legal commitment to any Islamic bank to achieve the quality of Islamic banking services of high quality in accordance with Islamic law and laws to achieve a high confidence in the customers who belong to him and deal with his Conspiracy.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sri Rahayu Hijrah Hati ◽  
Sigit Sulistiyo Wibowo ◽  
Anya Safira

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of product knowledge, perceived quality, perceived risk and perceived value on customers’ intention to invest in Islamic Banks. This study specifically examines an Islamic bank’s term deposits. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data collected from 217 customers of an Islamic bank in Indonesia using an online survey. Findings This study highlights the central and dual roles of perceived risk as both the independent and the intervening variable that mediates the relationship between product knowledge and Muslim customer intention to invest in an Islamic bank’s term deposits. Research limitations/implications This study only investigates term deposits as one type of investment in Islamic banks. This study contributes to the literature by examining the role of product knowledge, perceived quality, perceived risk and perceived value on Muslim customer intention to invest in Islamic term deposits. Practical implications The results of this study highlight the requirement for Islamic banks to educate customers to improve the depositors’ product knowledge because Muslim customers’ risk and value perception and intention are strongly influenced by product knowledge. Originality/value The investigation of perceived risk is particularly relevant for Islamic financial products because of the inherent nature of risk sharing in Islamic finance. This study investigates the role of product knowledge in influencing the Muslim customers’ perception of risk, quality, value and their intention to invest in Islamic bank term deposits. Ideally, the profit loss sharing concept (PLS) should be applied; however, in this context, revenue sharing is applied because of Indonesia’s central bank regulation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwi Suhartanto ◽  
Christopher Gan ◽  
Ira Siti Sarah ◽  
Setiawan Setiawan

Purpose This paper aims to integrate and examine three loyalty routes (i.e. service quality, emotional attachment and religiosity) in developing customer loyalty towards Islamic banking. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 412 Islamic bank customers from Indonesia. Variance-based structural equation modelling was applied to evaluate the association between service quality, emotional attachment, religiosity and customer loyalty. Findings This study reveals that customer loyalty is more driven by emotional attachment and religiosity rather than by perceived service quality. Although not directly affecting customer loyalty, service quality strengthens customer satisfaction towards Islamic banks. Practical implications This study provides an opportunity for Islamic bank managers to increase their customer loyalty through the development of emotional attachment and religiosity. To improve customer loyalty, this study suggests that Islamic banks have to provide prompt, accurate and non-personal service. It is also important for Islamic bank managers to keep the bank operation compliant with the Sharia law. Originality/value This study is the first attempt to assess the three loyalty routes simultaneously in influencing customer loyalty.


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