Integration of Islamic bank specific risks and their impact on the portfolios of Islamic Banks

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Alamdar Ali Shah ◽  
Raditya Sukmana ◽  
Bayu Arie Fianto

Purpose This study aims to propose a risk management framework for Islamic banks to address specific risks that are unique to Islamic bank settings. Design/methodology/approach A unique methodology has been developed first by exploring the dynamics and behaviors of various risks unique to Islamic banks. Second, it integrates them through a series of diagrams that show how they behave, integrate and impact risk, returns and portfolios. Findings This study proposes a unique risk-return relationship framework encompassing specific risks faced by Islamic banks under the ambit of portfolio theory showing how Islamic banks establish a steeper risk-return path under Shariah compliance. By doing so, this study identifies a unique “Islamic risk-return” nexus in Islamic settings as an explanation for the concern of contemporary researchers that Islamic banks are more risky than conventional banks. Originality/value The originality of this study is that it extends the scope of risk management in Islamic banks from individual contract-based to an integrated whole, identifying a unique transmission path of how risks affect portfolio diversification in Islamic banks.

Author(s):  
Hajer Zarrouk ◽  
Khoutem Ben Jedidia ◽  
Mouna Moualhi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to ascertain whether Islamic bank profitability is driven by same forces as those driving conventional banking in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Distinguished by its principles in conformity with sharia, Islamic banking is different from conventional banking, which is likely to affect profitability. Design/methodology/approach The paper builds on a dynamic panel data model to identify the banks’ specific determinants and the macroeconomic factors influencing the profitability of a large sample of 51 Islamic banks operating in the MENA region from 1994 to 2012. The system-generalized method of moment estimators are applied. Findings The findings reveal that profitability is positively affected by banks’ cost-effectiveness, asset quality and level of capitalization. The results also indicate that non-financing activities allow Islamic banks to earn higher profits. Islamic banks perform better in environments where the gross domestic product and investment are high. There is evidence of several elements of similarities between determinants of the profitability for Islamic and conventional banks. The inflation rate, however, is negatively associated with Islamic bank profitability. Practical Implications The authors conclude that profitability determinants did not differ significantly between Islamic and conventional banks. Many factors are deemed the same in explaining the profitability of conventional as well as Islamic banks. The findings reported in the current paper might be of interest for policy makers. It is recommended to better implement non-financing activities to improve Islamic bank profitability. Originality/value Unlike the previous empirical research, this empirical investigation assesses the issue whether Islamic banks profitability is influenced by same factors as conventional model. It enriches the literature in this regard by considering the specificities of Islamic banking to identify the determinants of profitability. Moreover, this study considers a large sample (51 Islamic banks) through a different selection of countries/banks than previous studies. In addition, the period of study considers the subprime crisis insofar it ranges from 1994 to 2012. Hence, this broader study allows the authors to draw more consistent conclusions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Ayala-Cruz

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the implementation and testing of a modified project risk management framework that integrates PMI’s framework with Monte Carlo simulation to improve the effectiveness in high-tech new product development (NPD) projects. Design/methodology/approach The modified framework considers three bodies of knowledge: project management, risk management, and Monte Carlo simulation to produce an enhance project risk management framework. Its application is shown through a case study. Findings Using the integrated framework in a recent case study project and prior NPD projects measures (as benchmarks), it was shown that it could help to enhance risk responses caused by task durations and costs’ uncertainties. The framework proved to be better than segregated generic best practices and was key in providing insight to the issue of early project risk assessment. Research limitations/implications More experimental replications are required for enhancement effectiveness assertions of the framework, through the application of the framework to similar case studies. Furthermore, this could improve its reliability and soundness. Practical implications Future directions for research could include case and empirical studies that include hypothesis’s testing, and the integration of optimization procedure for improved NPD project’s planning and execution. Originality/value This paper outlines a way to close the gap of project risks management planning in NPD’s initiatives. It was motivated by a relatively new tendency in exploring integrated frameworks to deal with complex project risks issues.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1555-1581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adel Elgharbawy

Purpose This study aims to compare types and levels of risk and risk management practices (RMPs) including the recognition, identification, assessment, analysis, monitoring and control of risk in both Islamic and conventional banks. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was conducted among the Islamic and conventional banks in Qatar, together with an analysis of archival data extracted from the Thomson Reuters Eikon database for the period 2009-2018. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and regression analysis. Findings Islamic banks encounter unique types and levels of risk that are not encountered by conventional banks. In Islamic banks, risks such as those of operation and Sharia non-compliance are perceived to be higher, while in conventional banks other risks such as those of credit and insolvency are higher; other risks, for example, liquidity risk, are faced by both. RMPs are determined by understanding risk and risk management, risk identification, risk monitoring and control and credit risk analysis, but not by risk assessment and analysis. However, the RMPs of the two types of bank are not significantly different, except in the analysis of credit risk. Research limitations/implications The study contributes to the debate in the literature by developing a better understanding of the dynamism of risk management in Qatari banks, which can be extended to similar contexts in the region. However, the relatively small sample size in only one country limits the possibility of generalizing the findings. The survey methodology is based on the perception of bankers rather than their actual actions and does not provide in-depth analysis for each type of risk, especially credit risk. However, using archival data, in addition to those from the survey, minimises the bias that would result from depending on one source of data. Practical implications The study provides valuable insights into the different types and levels of risk, as well as the RMPs in Islamic and conventional banks, which can help in guiding the future development and regulation of risk management in the banking sector of Qatar and its region. Originality/value The study helps to explain the mixed results of previous studies that compare types and levels of risk and RMPs in Islamic and conventional banks. Using different types of data and analysis, it provides evidence from one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It also addresses the concerns over RMPs in banks since the global financial crisis.


Author(s):  
Yasushi Suzuki ◽  
S.M. Sohrab Uddin

Purpose – This paper aims to draw on the bank rent approach to evaluate the existing pattern of financing of Islamic banks and to propose a fairly new conceptualization of Islamic bank rent. Design/methodology/approach – The bank rent theory is adopted to generate the theoretical underpinnings of the issue. After that, empirical evidence from the banking sector of Bangladesh is used to support the arguments. Findings – Repeated transactions under murabaha are observed in the Islamic banking sector of Bangladesh. The asset-based financing gives the Bangladeshi Islamic banks relatively higher Islamic bank rent opportunity for protecting their “franchise value” as Shari’ah-compliant lenders, while responding to the periodic volatility in transaction costs of profit-and-loss sharing. Research limitations/implications – The bank rent approach suggests that the murabaha syndrome can be ironically justifiable. On the other hand, the current profit-and-loss sharing risk provides an idea of the difficulty in assuming the participatory financing with higher credit risk in practice. Islamic scholars and the regulatory authority need to design an appropriate financial architecture which can create different levels of rent opportunities for Islamic banks to avail the benefit from the variety of Islamic financing as declared by Islamic Shari’ah. Originality/value – This paper introduces a fairly new concept of “Islamic bank rent” to make sense of the murabaha syndrome. This approach also contributes to clarifying the unique risk and cost to be compensated with the spreads that Islamic banks are expected to earn. To draw empirical evidence, as far as it could be ascertained, the data of both Islamic banks and conventional banks with Islamic banking windows/branches are used for the first time.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radiah Othman ◽  
Rashid Ameer

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to propose solutions for improving internal controls and transparency to alleviate concerns of international community over alleged linked with terrorist groups. Design/methodology/approach – The authors explore the counter-insurgency theory and political process model to explain the current state of counter-terrorism activities aimed at Islamic NGOs after 9/11. Findings – The authors believe the idea of money flow disruption to be of greater importance than freezing the accounts to suppress terrorism financing. Practical implications – Islamic NGOs established for philanthropic and humanitarian aid in third world Muslim countries have been accused of being involved in terrorism financing. This revelation is to the disadvantage of the donors who do not channel their donations for such activities. The authors propose risk management framework useful at operational level to detect and prevent welfare activities financing warfare activities. Originality/value – The proposed risk management framework is to complement various regional and international initiatives championed by Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering and Financial Action Task Force to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-169
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mahbubi Ali ◽  
Rusni Hassan

Purpose Tawarruq (Islamic commodity financing) has evolved as the most ubiquitous concept in Malaysia’s Islamic banking industry. Nevertheless, the extensive use of tawarruq has invoked a number of Sharīʿah (Islamic law) concerns in its practice. This study aims to investigate the Sharīʿah non-compliant (SNC) phenomena in the practice of tawarruq financing in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts qualitative research methodology, combining both descriptive and content analysis. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 16 Malaysian Islamic commercial banks to unveil the Sharīʿah non-compliance issues in the application of tawarruq in Islamic banks (IBs) in Malaysia. Findings The study found that some practices of tawarruq in Malaysia might not comply with the Sharīʿah, mainly due to the improper sequencing of contracts. The study also discovered that IBs adopt different approaches in dealing with SNC events and the income derived therefrom. Finally, the study noted the influence of board of director/management on certain Sharīʿah decisions particularly on the treatment of non-ḥalāl (impermissible) income. Practical implications The findings of the study serve as a reference to industry players and regulators in formulating a Sharīʿah non-compliance risk management framework for tawarruq practices. Originality/value The survey on SNC issues in tawarruq practice constitutes the first of its kind in the existing literature.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasushi Suzuki ◽  
S.M. Sohrab Uddin ◽  
Pramono Sigit

Purpose This paper aims to draw upon existing debate over “financial sector rent” (bank rent) to analyze the current pattern of financing of Bangladeshi and Indonesian Islamic banks during the period of 2011 and 2015. Design/methodology/approach The empirical evidence through a comparative approach of analyzing the performance of Islamic banks with that of conventional banks in respective countries – two of the largest countries where majority of the population are Muslims – is drawn to demonstrate the objective. Findings While Islamic banks in Bangladesh are primarily concentrating on the murabaha (mark-up contract) mode of financing, some transactions under musharaka (partnership/equity-based contract) are observed in the Indonesian Islamic banking sector. This anomaly in Indonesia can be explained by the nature of their musharaka financing which is not of the purely “participatory” financing type. As a result, we can observe the quasi-murabaha syndrome in Indonesian Islamic banking sector. The concentration of asset-based financing including consumers’ financing (hire purchase) in the credit portfolio gives Islamic banks relatively higher Islamic bank rent opportunity for protecting their “franchise value” as Sharīʿah-compliant (Islamic law-compliant) lenders. However, Indonesian Islamic banks share a still infant Islamic banking market, and enjoy less rent opportunity under a severe competition with conventional banks. Research limitations/implications The bank rent approach suggests that the syndrome observed both in Bangladesh and Indonesia can be ironically justifiable. Moreover, the mode of profit-and-loss sharing provides, in practice, an idea of the difficulty in managing the participatory financing embedded with high credit risk. Under this scenario, it is necessary for Islamic scholars and the regulatory authority to design an appropriate financial architecture, enabling Islamic banks to avail the benefit from a wider variety of Sharīʿah-based Islamic financing. Originality/value This paper expands the newly emerged concept of “Islamic bank rent” to make sense of the murabaha syndrome in Bangladesh and the quasi-murabaha syndrome in Indonesia. This approach also contributes to clarifying the unique risk and cost to be compensated with the spreads that Islamic banks are expected to earn.


Author(s):  
Etem Hakan Ergec ◽  
Bengül Gülümser Kaytanci ◽  
Metin Toprak

Purpose The reasons for Islamic bank preferences have been extensively covered in the literature where religion has been depicted as a strong factor. In the limited number of accounts on this subject in Turkey, it was found that religiosity is a major factor in the selection of Islamic banks. Design/methodology/approach This study evaluates the findings of a major field work performed in the period between March and May 2011 in Eskisehir with the participation of Islamic bank customers. In the study, a sample of 500 respondents was used and a semi-structured survey was conducted. Findings According to the findings, religiosity is not the most significant and leading factor in Islamic bank preference; instead, it was found as the fourth most important factor. The study finds that recommendation by friends and relatives is the most significant factor for the people in preferring Islamic banks. The nationalist-conservative people make stronger reference to the religiosity as a factor than the secular-modernist and leftist-social democrat people do. Socioeconomic status is not found as a significant factor in the Islamic bank preference. People in advanced age, men, people with lower income and businessmen/artisan rely on the religiosity in Islamic bank preference as a factor stronger than people from other backgrounds. Practical implications In conclusion, it could be said that there is a strong relation of substitution between Islamic banks and conventional banks in Turkey and that the Islamic banks play significant role in inclusion of the people staying out of the banking system due to religious concerns and considerations in the financial system. Originality/value It is very comprehensive, both politically and economically, to handle the issue of Islamic banking.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Aisyah Abdul-Rahman ◽  
A.M. Hafizi

Subjectarea The case is suitable for use in the topics related to the functions and roles of Islamic pawn-broking and the Islamic risk management framework. Studylevel/applicability The case is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students taking courses in Islamic Banking, Islamic Finance and Risk Management for Islamic Banking Institutions. Case overview This case is meant to explain the mechanics of pawn-broking (Ar-Rahnu) in Islam as well as to understand the risk management of Ar-Rahnu in the bank. Ar-Rahnu is discussed, in general, from the perspective of muamalat and then is related to the financing service offered through Ar-Rahnu scheme at Al-Qamari Bank Berhad (a disguised bank). Ar-Rahnu means making an asset as a security or collateral for a debt. The collateral will be used to settle the debt when the debtor is in default. It may also be known as borrowing with either collateral or pawn-broking. In Al-Qamari Bank Berhad, gold and jewellery are the subject of collateral for Ar-Rahnu. In return, customers will get the cash based on the margin of loan with regards to the current market value of gold/jewellery as determined by the bank. The operation of Ar-Rahnu is discussed in Exhibit 1, while the risk management of Ar-Rahnu is discussed in Exhibit 2. Expectedlearning outcomes The learning outcomes include: to identify a problem and issue related to Ar-Rahnu; to evaluate the modus operandi of Ar-Rahnu; to analyze the risk management practices of Ar-Rahnu; and to develop decision criteria on whether Ar-Rahnu in Al-Qamari bank is Shariah-compliant or not. Supplementarymaterials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nizar Souiden ◽  
Marzouki Rani

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of religiosity on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions toward Islamic banks. Design/methodology/approach – The study takes place in the Tunisian context. Even though Tunisia is a Muslim country, the culture is considerably different from those of the Middle East or Malaysia (countries where the majority of studies on Islamic banks have taken place). Consequently, an adapted religiosity scale was developed to fit the study’s context. Then, the scale was pre-tested on a sample of 188 respondents. In order to test the research hypotheses, a second data collection, based on a convenience sampling technique, was undertaken, yielding a sample of 217 respondents. Findings – The religiosity variable was found to be tridimensional. Results show that the more a person fears divine punishment, the more he/she will develop a favorable attitude towards Islamic banks. Also, the more a person believes in Islamic laws, the more favorable his/her attitude towards Islamic banks. However, the relationship between religious involvement (practice and interest) and attitude toward Islamic banks is found to be insignificant. Other alternative models were tested and the results indicate that neither fear, nor beliefs, nor religious involvement has a direct effect on purchase intention. Thus, religiosity has an indirect effect on purchase intentions of Islamic bank services through attitude towards these banks. Practical implications – It is suggested that a communication strategy focusing on the compatibility of Islamic banks with Islamic beliefs and eliminating any doubt that Islamic bank operations are suspicious (from a religious point of view) could attract a segment of consumers who wish to be in harmony with the prescriptions of their religion. Islamic banks can better position their offers compared to conventional banks and improve the perception of actual or potential clients. The study offers some implications to managers of conventional banks as well. Originality/value – Previous studies have reported the strong impact of religion on Muslims’ attitude towards Islamic banks. The main contribution of this study is to show which dimension of religiosity has the most important impact on attitude and purchase intention toward Islamic banks.


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