scholarly journals Factors Affecting Capital Structure of Conventional and Islamic Banks: Evidence from MENA Region

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 069
Author(s):  
Ahmad Al-Harby

This study aim is to investigate and compare the factors affecting conventional and Islamic bank’s capital structure choice as well as their financial characteristics. According to the best of my knowledge, this is the first paper that mainly concentrated in comparing the determinants of capital structure of conventional and Islamic banks using a cross-country data and for a long period of time (20 years). The study revealed several findings. Firstly, descriptive statistics (equality of means test) showed that conventional banks more leveraged and liquid than Islamic banks. In contrast, Islamic banks are larger and more profitable (ROA) than conventional banks. The results also indicated that Islamic banks are not riskier than conventional banks. Secondly, the regression results showed that all variables, except tax-shield, had the same impact on both banking types capital structure. It been found that profitability, tangibility, business risk and age correlated negatively and significantly with capital structure. In the other direction, size, liquidity and inflation had significant and positive relation with capital structure. Vis-à-vis tax-shield, this variable had a weak impact (positive) on Islamic bank’s capital structure but had no effect on conventional banks and this attributed to Islamic banks sample.

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naama Trad ◽  
Houssem Rachdi ◽  
Abdelaziz Hakimi ◽  
Khaled Guesmi

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the main determinants of the performance and stability-banking sector in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during the global financial crisis. Using a data set of 13 countries with both of 77 Islamic and 101 conventional banks during the period 2006-2013, empirical results show that specific variables allow explaining the change in the level of performance and stability for conventional and Islamic banks. However, the effect of some banks’ characteristics is not the same for the two bank groups. For the macroeconomic effect, it is observed that inflation exerts a negative effect on the bank performance except for conventional banks when it increases the profitability. Design/methodology/approach Using a data set of 13 countries with both of 77 Islamic and 101 conventional banks (CvB) during the period 2006-2013 and performing the generalized method of moments (GMM) method, the findings provide comprehensive evidence for the bank systems studied which are of interest also to policy makers and practitioners. Findings The main finding is that after the international financial crises of 2008, many worldwide banks have been experiencing crises in contrast to Islamic banks (IsB) which remain Gen more stable and more profitable. Foreign banks had a higher degree of exposure to risk, given their higher number of subsidiaries in the developed economies. As for the determinants of profitability, the bank-specific variables allow to explain the change in the level of performance and stability for conventional and Islamic banks. However, the effect of some banks characteristics is not the same for the two bank groups. For the macroeconomic effect, it is observed that inflation exerts a negative effect on the bank performance except for CvB when it increases the profitability measured by the return on assets (ROA). It is also found that the growth rate acts positively when the dependent variable is the ROA and negatively when the performance is measured by return on equity. Originality/value The inflation rate exerts a negative effect only on the ROA. This study differs from previous contributions in that it is tested the hypothesis of determinants of bank profitability and stability for both conventional and Islamic banks in the MENA region. It is of great interest to both policymakers and investors, with respect to regional development policies and dedicated portfolio investment strategies in each emerging region respectively. The authors adopted several ratios from the empirical literature on bank profitability and stability. Using a data set of 13 countries with both of 77 Islamic and 101 CvB during the period 2006-2013 and performing the GMM method, the findings have significant contributions to the literature by comprehensively clarifying and critically analyzing the current state of profitability and stability for both banks.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-95
Author(s):  
Ameni Ghenimi ◽  
Hasna Chaibi ◽  
Mohamed Ali Brahim Omri

Purpose This paper aims to identify and analyze the similarities and differences of the liquidity risk determinants within conventional and Islamic banks. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a dynamic panel data approach to examine the relationship between liquidity risk and a set of bank-specific and macroeconomic factors during 2005–2015, by selecting 27 Islamic banks and 49 conventional ones operating in the MENA region. More specifically, the dynamic two-step generalized method of moment estimator technique introduced by Arellano and Bond (1991) is applied. Findings The results suggest that the set of bank-specific variables influences the liquidity risk of both banking systems, while macroeconomic factors determine the liquidity risk of conventional banks. Islamic banks are not affected by macroeconomic determinants. Practical implications The research facilitates to the academicians, practitioners and bankers to have an alluded picture about liquidity risk determinants and their management. The findings can be used by bankers’ policy decision-makers to improve and enhance their consideration for liquidity risk management in both banking systems. Indeed, the study makes them aware to manage liquidity risk differently between conventional and Islamic banks, as the results reveal different liquidity risk determinants. Originality/value Compared to the abundant studies on the determinants of credit risk, researchers have not sufficiently addressed the factors influencing liquidity risk. Moreover, none of these few research studies has discussed and compared liquidity risk determinants within both banking systems operating in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This leads us to identify the similarities and differences between conventional and Islamic banks in the MENA region in respect of systematic and unsystematic determinants of the liquidity risk. The value is attributed to the increasing differentiation between Islamic and conventional banks. Islamic banks are characterized with a different liquidity structure distinguishing them from their conventional counterparts.


Author(s):  
Kaouther Toumi

Purpose The paper aims to investigate whether the Islamic banks (IBs) and the conventional banks (CBs) could be distinguished from one another on the basis of their capital structure, profitability and their respective determinants with using a multivariate statistical method for analysis of data. Design/methodology/approach The paper provides a comparative study based on a predictive model, the binary logistic regression, using a sample of 53 listed CBs and 45 listed IBs from the Middle East region for the period 2006-2014. Findings The binary logistic regression reveals that profitability and capital structure are good predictors that help to distinguish between the two categories of banks. Results suggest that higher are the net margin and capital ratio, higher is the probability that the bank is Islamic. For the return on assets, results show that lower is this value; higher is the likelihood that the bank is Islamic. Regarding their related determinants, the findings suggest first that banks with higher dividend payout policy, financing ratio, costs ratio and insolvency risk are more likely to be Islamic. Second, results suggest that banks with lower collaterals, size and credit risk are more likely to be Islamic. Research limitations/implications The study contributes to the growing literature on corporate finance and Islamic banking. Analyzing the capital structure and profitability of the two categories of banks is important for investors, financial analysts and regulators. Understanding the differences contributes to understand how following Islamic finance principles and being under Sharīʿah governance could impact the bank profitability and financial decision, as well as investors behavior. Originality/value The study contributes to the scare literature dedicated to the use of the multivariate statistical methods for the analysis of data to compare the financial characteristics of IBs and CBs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-31
Author(s):  
Manoj Kapur

Banking system constitutes the fundamental pillar of every economy. Banks acts financial intermediaries between sectors that have excess funds and those that are in deficit. Islamic banks operate under Sharia principles of risk sharing and interest prohibition as contrasted with conventional banks that buy capital to pool funds and sell capital to generate interest income or profit. This paper applies banks’ internal factors related to their balance sheet and income statement and using a total of 23 financial ratios pertaining to the internal factors, it attempts to compare and contrast between conventional and Islamic banks. This research explains the structure, operation and management of banks in the UAE coupled with the functioning of Islamic banks. The paper also aims to determine the profitable and efficient banks among the chosen sample. The sample includes 12 banks, equally distributed between Islamic and conventional banks using data between the periods of 2014 - 2018. The sample is broadly categorized based on profitability ratio, efficiency ratio, asset indicator ratio and risk ratios. Correlation and Regression analysis is used to determine a substantial ratio analysis between conventional and Islamic banks. Results from the study reveal indicators of financial characteristics such as profitability ratios, efficiency ratios, asset quality indicators and risk/ risk management ratios. The results clarify that Islamic banks are operationally efficient and profitable because of risks sharing and greater dependency on deposits capital. However, on an overall basis, the ratios indicate conventional banks have higher scores than their counterparts. JEL Classification Codes: F37.          


2021 ◽  
pp. 097491012110311
Author(s):  
Salma Zaiane ◽  
Fatma Ben Moussa

The purpose of the study is to identify bank specific, macroeconomic, and stability determinants of both conventional and Islamic bank performance. We also try to identify evidence on the impact of financial crisis and political instability during the Arab Spring (AS) period. The study covers a sample of 123 banks (34 Islamic banks and 89 conventional banks from 13 Middle East and North Africa [MENA] countries) over the period 2000–2013. We use different proxies of performance as dependent variables: return on asset (ROA), return on equity (ROE), net income margin (NIM), and estimate several regressions using the dynamic generalized method of moments. Our results reveal that bank size, asset quality, specialization, and diversification are the major bank specific factors affecting performance of Islamic and conventional banks. Besides, macroeconomic indicators (GDP and inflation) and regulatory quality influence both types of banks differently. Finally, both the financial crisis and political instability negatively affect bank performance.


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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosylin Mohd Yusof ◽  
Farrell Hazsan Usman ◽  
Akhmad Affandi Mahfudz ◽  
Ahmad Suki Arif

Purpose This study aims to investigate the interactions among macroeconomic variable shocks, banking fragility and home financing provided by conventional and Islamic banks in Malaysia. Identifying the causes of financial instability and the effects of macroeconomic shocks can help to foil the onset of future financial turbulence. Design/methodology/approach The autoregressive distributed lag bound-testing cointegration approach, impulse response functions (IRFs) and forecast error variance decomposition are used in this study to unravel the long-run and short-run dynamics among the selected macroeconomic variables and amount of home financing offered by both conventional and Islamic banks. In addition, the study uses Granger causality tests to investigate the short-run causalities among the selected variables to further understand the impact of one macroeconomic shock to Islamic and conventional home financing. Findings This study provides evidence that macroeconomic shocks have different long-run and short-run effects on amount of home financing offered by conventional and Islamic banks. Both in the long run and short run, home financing provided by Islamic banks is more linked to real sector economy and thus is more stable as compared to home financing provided by conventional banks. The Granger causality test reveals that only gross domestic product (GDP), Kuala Lumpur Syariah Index (KLSI)/Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) and house price index (HPI) are found to have a statistically significant causal relationship with home financing offered by both conventional and Islamic banks. Unlike the case of Islamic banks, conventional home financing is found to have a unidirectional causality with interest rates. Research limitations/implications This study has focused on analyzing the macroeconomic shocks on home financing. However, this study does not assess the impact of financial deregulation and enhanced information technology on amount of financing offered by both conventional and Islamic banks. In addition, it is not within the ambit of this present study to examine the effects of agency costs and information asymmetry. Practical implications The analysis of cointegration and IRFs exhibits that in the long run and short run, home financing provided by Islamic banks are more linked to real sector economy like GDP and House Prices (HPI) and therefore more resilient to economic vulnerabilities as compared to home financing provided by conventional banks. However, in the long run, both conventional and Islamic banks are more susceptible to fluctuations in interest rates. The results of the study suggest that monetary policy ramifications to improve banking fragility should focus on stabilizing interest rates or finding an alternative that is free from interest. Social implications Because interest plays a significant role in pricing of home loans, the potential of an alternative such as rental rate is therefore timely and worth the effort to investigate further. Therefore, Islamic banks can explore the possibility of pricing home financing based on rental rate as proposed in this study. Originality/value This paper examines the unresolved issues in Islamic home financing where Islamic banks still benchmark their products especially home financing, to interest rates in dual banking system such as in the case of Malaysia. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, studies conducted in this area are meager and therefore is imperative to be examined.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akram Ramadan Budagaga

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the validity of irrelevant theory empirically by exploring the relationship between cash dividends, profitability, leverage and investment policy with the value of banking institutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts Ohlson’s (1995) valuation model. The author estimates models by using static panel (random and fixed effects) techniques and the dynamic technique, namely, the GMM estimation. The empirical study covers a sample of 122 conventional and 37 Islamic banks listed on stock markets in 12 MENA countries over the period 1999–2018. Findings The empirical results show that dividend yield has no significant association with the value of conventional banks, whereas profitability, growth opportunity and leverage have a significant positive impact on the value of conventional banks. In contrast, the results for a sample of Islamic banks indicate that the dividend yield, profitability and leverage have a significant positive effect on the value of Islamic banks, whereas growth opportunity has no significant effect on the value of Islamic banks. Therefore, these results support, to a greater extent, the validity of the dividend irrelevance theory of Modigliani and Miller for conventional banks but would not be accepted for Islamic banks in the MENA region. Research limitations/implications This study is restricted to a sample of one type of financial firms, banking firms listed in the MENA countries. In addition, the study has dealt with one type of dividend (the cash dividend). Practical implications Highlighting the difference between conventional and Islamic banks is crucial to understanding dividend policy behavior and to providing investors information to be integrated in their valuation setting to make informed corporate decisions. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, the present study is the first of its kind that it draws a comparative analysis by testing empirically the validity of the Irrelevant Theory to banks in the MENA region covering a long time period in the recent past.


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