scholarly journals Significance and Key Challenges in Conducting Stress Testing for Islamic Commercial Banks

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamshaid Anwar Chattha

With the current cross-border growth in Islamic finance, Islamic commercial banks (ICBs) are looking forward to being perceived as an industry in the process of becoming mature. This would require the establishment of some basic infrastructure, including sophisticated risk management tools that enhance the soundness and resilience of the ICBS. This paper focuses on the latter that is the role and significance of stress testing as a risk management tool. The stress testing has become part of the regulatory and supervisory authorities within the financial stability analysis. The global financial crisis (2008) has placed the spotlight squarely on stress tests. Though, ICBs operate within the similar financial environment, and their balance sheet composition, however, calls for different treatment in stress testing. Apart from the specificities of ICBs, there are key issues and challenges that should be given due considerations in developing an appropriate stress testing regime. This paper explores key specificities and challenges. The paper argues that in the beginning, conducting the stress testing may not appear a simple task for the ICBs. However, a proper consideration to the challenges identified in the paper would certainly tend to improve the overall effectiveness and credibility of the stress testing programmes.

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (47) ◽  
pp. 7-16
Author(s):  
Anastasiia Petruk ◽  
Roman Stadniichuk

Financial institutions have faced a variety of threats, the main reasons for which are weak lending standards, ineffective risk evaluation of the loan portfolio, lack of attention to economic and other factors that can affect the creditworthiness of bank counterparties. Thus, among various threats, credit risk, caused by lending, remains the main source of problems for commercial banks. However, globalization and liberalization of the global financial system has led to the appearance of other sources, including trade and investment transactions, which are reflected both on the balance sheet and off-balance sheet. Banks are increasingly faced with credit risk in other financial operations – for example, with derivative financial instruments. Effective credit risk management is a critically important component of the comprehensive approach to risk management and the long-term success of a banking organization. The use of financial instruments that allows commercial banks to transfer credit risk to a third party for a fee and, thus, avoid the additional costs for forming reserves, has become one of the ways to prevent negative consequences. However, despite the many advantages associated with the risk hedging, credit derivatives, like other financial innovations, pose additional risks directly related to the application of these instruments. For example, these risks have manifested themselves in the global financial crisis of 2008-2009 and minimized the positive effect of the credit derivatives. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using credit derivatives by commercial banks, shows the need for timely identification of probable risks and the development of effective methods for managing them by both the risk management of the bank and regulators.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamshaid Anwar Chattha ◽  
Simon Archer

Purpose This paper aims to provide a methodology for designing and conducting solvency stress tests, under the standardised approach as per IFSB-15, including the establishment of macro-financial links, running scenarios with variation of assumptions and stress scenario parameters; apply and illustrate this methodology by providing a stylised numerical example through a tractable Excel-based framework, through which Islamic Commercial Banks (ICBs) can introduce additional regulatory requirements and show that they would remain in compliance with all capital requirements after a moderate to severe shock; and identify the potential remedial actions that can be envisaged by an ICB. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses the data of the one of the groups to which certain amendments and related assumptions are applied to develop a stylised numerical example for solvency stress-testing purposes. The example uses a Stress Testing Matrix (STeM; a step-by-step approach) to illustrate the stress-testing process. The methodology of the paper uses a two-stage process. The first stage consists of calculating the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of the ICB using the IFSB formulae, depending on how the profit sharing investment account (PSIA) are treated in the respective jurisdiction. The second stage is the application of the stress scenarios and shocks. Findings Taking into account the specificities of ICBs such as their use of PSIA, the results highlighted the sensitivity of the CAR of an ICB with respect to the changes in the values of alpha and the proportion of unrestricted PSIA on the funding side. The simulation also indicated that an ICB operating above the minimum CAR could be vulnerable to shocks of various degrees of gravity, thus bringing the CAR below the minimum regulatory requirement and necessitating appropriate remedial actions. Practical implications The paper highlights various implications and relationships arising out of stress testing for ICBs, including the vulnerability of an ICB under defined scenarios, demanding appropriate immediate remedial actions on future capital resources and capital needs. The findings of the paper provide a preliminary discussion on developing a comprehensive toolkit for the ICBs similar to what is developed by the International Monetary Fund Financial Sector Assessment Programme. Originality/value This paper focuses on the gap with respect to the stress testing of capital adequacy. The main contribution of the paper is twofold. The first is the development of an STeM – a step-by-step approach, which provides a method for simulating solvency (i.e. capital adequacy) stress tests for ICBs; the second is the demonstration of the potentially crucial impact of profit-sharing investment accounts and the way they are managed by ICBs (notably the smoothing of profit payouts) in assessing the capital adequacy of the ICBs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-203
Author(s):  
Brian K. Coffey ◽  
Ted C. Schroeder

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the relationships between grain farm and farmer profiles and their respective choices to use forward pricing techniques and revenue protection crop insurance to manage risk.Design/methodology/approachAn e-mail survey of Midwestern grain farmers elicited farmer demographic information, farm profile, risk attitudes and farmer use of forward pricing and revenue protection insurance. Responses regarding use of risk management tools were compiled as choices to use possible bundles of tools to account for simultaneous nature of the decision. Choices to use bundles of tools were used as the independent variable categories in a multinomial logit regression. Regressors were relevant data collected from the survey.FindingsFarm size, using a market advisory service, and being a technology adopter are the most important factors in predicting risk management tool use by grain farmers. Farmers tend to use forward pricing and revenue protection insurance in combination. Large farms are more likely to use forward pricing tools.Practical implicationsResults provide researchers, extension professionals and risk management specialists with a current understanding of how farm and farmer characteristics relate to use of risk management tools. The authors also elaborate on findings to provide guidance for future risk management research.Originality/valueThe survey covered 9 Midwestern states and 648 grain farmers. The survey results update understanding of grain farmers’ risk management practices. The empirical approach treats risk management decisions to use available tools as simultaneous, which recent literature suggests is more appropriate than earlier approaches.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Kevin Kombo ◽  
Dr. Amos Njuguna

Purpose:The purpose of the study was toassess the effects of Basel III framework on capital adequacy requirement in commercial banks in Kenya. The study sought to address the following research questions: why are capital adequacy regulations important in commercial banks in Kenya? What challenges are commercial banks facing in the implementation of capital adequacy requirement? What measures have commercial banks taken to ensure compliance with the capital adequacy requirement?Methodology:A descriptive survey design was applied to a population of 43 commercial banks operating in Kenya. The target population composed of the 159 management staff currently employed at the head offices of the various commercial banks in Kenya. The population was composed of Senior, Middle and Junior or Entry level Management staff. A sample of 30% was selected from within each group.Primary data was gathered using questionnaires which were dropped off at the bank’s head offices and picked up later when the respondents had filled the questionnaires. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze quantitative data while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data.Results:The findings show that capital adequacy requirement is important in commercial banks because it leads financial stability in the Kenyan economy, improves credit risk management techniques as poor credit risk management requires more capital and leads to reduced vulnerability to liquidity shocks due to the sound capitalization policies being implemented under the Basel III framework. Findings also revealed that capital adequacy affected the balance sheet structure of the commercial banks in Kenya.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that banks should continue the pursuit of various strategies to ensure that they are in compliance with Basel III requirements and the Central Bank of Kenya’s Prudential Guidelines. The staff of this committee should be drawn from mainly the finance, legal, compliance and treasury departments. Compliance with the capital requirements will lead to a safety net for all commercial banks as the additional capital will act as a cushion that absorbs losses in case of distress in the commercial banking sector.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 8-16
Author(s):  
Sayed M. Fadel ◽  
Jasim Al-Ajmi

The objectives of this study are to determine 1) the effect of global economic and financial crisis on risk management, 2) the severity of different types of risk facing Islamic banks, 3) the risk levels of Islamic financial modes, 4) risk assessment techniques, and 5) risk management techniques. The structure of the balance sheet, the nature of Islamic finance instruments and funding sources have a great impact on the level of risk exposure of banks and the instruments. Credit risk is found to be the most serious risk, followed by liquidity risk, market risk and operational risk, in descending order of importance. As for the riskiness of Islamic financing modes, mudarabah is perceived to be the riskiest, followed by musharakah, while murabahah ranked as the least risky mode. Moreover, Islamic banks are found to use traditional risk management techniques more than sophisticated measurements. They also adopt risk mitigation techniques that are used by conventional banks in preference to techniques that are considered to be unique to Islamic banks. This paper is the first to study the risk management practices of Islamic banks operating in Bahrain. It also provides evidence about these practices after the global financial crisis that affected all countries, including Bahrain.


2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 169-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Špička ◽  
J. Boudný ◽  
B. Janotová

The paper examines the relationship between the farmers’ operating risk and current subsidies. Focused at the commodity level, the analysis is based on a sample survey of costs and yields of two crops (winter wheat and rapeseed) and two livestock commodities (cow milk and fattening cattle) carried out in 2005–2007 in the Czech Republic. The risk analysis relates to the growing conditions, crop yields and the livestock productivity. The future role of the subsidies as the risk management tool in the farming business, as well as the position of this instrument against the other risk management instruments is analysed. The break even analysis and the Monte Carlo simulation are used as analytical tools. The results indicate that the current subsidies have an impact on the stability of the farmers’ income. Partially or fully decoupled payments serve as a “financial pillow” increasing the level of the farmers’ income and extending the farmers’ decision-making possibilities. Furthermore, the current subsidies reduce the variability of the farmers’ income. The current subsidies are a suitable complement to other commonly used risk management tools primarily designed to reduce the farmers’ and farm income variability.


2014 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry Tudor ◽  
Aslihan Spaulding ◽  
Kayla D. Roy ◽  
Randy Winter

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships among choice of risk management tools, perceived effectiveness of risk management tools, self-reported risk attitude, and farm and farmer characteristics. Design/methodology/approach – A mail survey was used to collect information about utilization of risk management tools, perceived effectiveness of risk management tools, and factors that could influence choice of risk management tools by Illinois farmers. Cluster analysis, one-way ANOVA, χ2 tests of independence, and multinomial logistic regression were utilized to detect possible relationships among choice of risk management tools, perceived effectiveness of risk management tools, self-reported risk attitude, and farm and farmer characteristics. Findings – Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that age and gross farm income (GFI) were the strongest predictors of the risk management tool utilization group to which an individual would be assigned. The number of risk management tools utilized decreased with age but increased with GFI. Neither self-reported risk attitude nor education was a significant independent variable in the multinomial logistic regression model, but both were strongly impacted by age. Younger farmers with higher GFI were the most likely users of hedging. Research limitations/implications – The results of this study provide support for the idea that farmers who are better able to generate revenue are better able to manage risk, but the direction of causality was not investigated. Practical implications – Risk management service providers could benefit from this study as a benchmark for understanding their current and potential farmer clients’ risk management strategies. Originality/value – This study used cluster analysis and multinomial logistic regression to address the complexity of decisions regarding multiple risk management tools. The number of tools utilized by individuals was investigated.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Ivanović

Abstract The main reason for central bank independence lies in the fact that it is necessary to clearly distinguish spending money from the ability of making money. Independence of central banks is now a characteristic of almost all developed and highly industrialized countries. In this respect, it represents an essential part of the overall economic reality of these countries. Over the past decade or somewhat earlier, the issue of importance of central bank independence has been raised in developing countries, making the institutional, functional, personal and financial independence of central banks current topics for consideration. The key reason for the growing attention to financial independence of central banks is due to the effects of the global financial crisis on their balance sheets and therefore the challenges related to achieving the basic goals of the functioning of central banks - financial stability and price stability. Financial strength and independence of central banks must be developed relative to the policy and tasks that are carried out and risks they face in carrying out of these tasks. Financial independence represents a key base for credibility of a central bank. On one hand, the degree of credibility is associated with the ability of central banks to carry out their tasks without external financial assistance. In order to enhance the credibility of central bank in this regard, it must have sufficient financial strength to absorb potential losses and that power must be continuously strengthened by increasing capital and rearranging profit allocation arrangements. This is particularly important in times of crisis.


Author(s):  
Seng Kiong Kok ◽  
Gianluigi Giorgioni ◽  
Jason Laws

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the possibility of structuring an Islamic option which includes an element of risk sharing as opposed to risk transfer. Design/methodology/approach – The approach adopted in this research involved a combination of a wa’ad (promise) and murabaha (cost plus sale) and examining if they could form a risk-sharing Islamic option. The payoffs were assumed to be dependent on bi-period outcomes. Findings – The paper attempted to create a hybrid risk-sharing option by combining elements of both wa’ad (promise) and murabaha (cost plus sale). The results yielded are dependent on the eventual direction of the market (in-the-money, at-the-money and out-the-money). While the results are not definitive, they do provide arguments for the adoption of a risk-sharing, as opposed to a risk-transfer, methodology when it comes to structuring risk management instruments. Research limitations/implications – One of the major limitations of this research is the inability to assess the Shariah compliance of the proposed instrument. Shariah compliance is determined by a Shariah Supervisory Board, and every effort has been made to ensure that Shariah financial principles are adhered to in the creation of this structure. Practical implications – The structure provides some interest arguments in the creation of risk management tools under a Shariah financial framework. The structure illustrates the benefits of having a risk-sharing mode over the conventional risk-transfer stances of most risk management tools. Originality/value – The paper offers a new way of structuring a risk management tool in Islamic finance. It explores the highly debated area of derivatives in Islamic finance and proposes a new way of creating a risk management tool that involves some elements of risk sharing.


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