Can Islamic Banking Increase Financial Inclusion?

Can Islamic Banking Increase Financial Inclusion?
Author: Mr.Sami Ben Naceur
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 41
Release: 2015-02-13
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1498372252

The paper analyses existing country-level information on the relationship between the development of Islamic banking and financial inclusion. In Muslim countries—members of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC)—various indicators of financial inclusion tend to be lower, and the share of excluded individuals citing religious reasons for not using bank accounts is noticeably greater than in other countries; Islamic banking would therefore seem to be an effective avenue for financial inclusion. We found, however, that although physical access to financial services has grown more rapidly in the OIC countries, the use of these services has not increased as quickly. Moreover, regression analyis shows evidence of a positive link to credit to households and to firms for financing investment, but this empirical link remains tentative and relatively weak. The paper explores reasons that this might be the case and suggests several recommendations to enhance the ability of Islamic banking to promote financial inclusion.

Enhancing Financial Inclusion through Islamic Finance, Volume I

Enhancing Financial Inclusion through Islamic Finance, Volume I
Author: Abdelrahman Elzahi Saaid Ali
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 262
Release: 2020-07-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3030399354

This book, the first of two volumes, highlights the concept of financial inclusion from the Islamic perspective. An important element of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), financial inclusion has been given significant prominence in reform and development agendas proposed by the United Nations and G-20. The significance of Islamic financial inclusion goes beyond improved access to finance to encompass enhanced access to savings and risk mitigation products, as well as social inclusion that allows individuals and companies to engage more actively in the real economy. It represents one of the important drivers of economic growth. Gender disparity exists within financial access and its extent varies widely across world economies. South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa have the largest gender gaps, with women in these regions being forty per cent less likely than men to have a formal account at a financial institution. Analysing how Islamic financial inclusion can empower individuals, this volume explores the contribution of Islamic microfinance in achieving SDGs and solving income and wealth inequality. Comprising a combination of empirical evidence, theory and modelling, this edited collection illustrates how to improve access to finance, making it essential reading for those researching both Islamic finance and development finance.

Enhancing Financial Inclusion through Islamic Finance, Volume II

Enhancing Financial Inclusion through Islamic Finance, Volume II
Author: Abdelrahman Elzahi Saaid Ali
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 393
Release: 2020-07-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3030399397

This book is the second of two volumes which highlight the concept of financial inclusion from the Islamic perspective. An important element of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), financial inclusion has been given significant prominence in reform and development agendas proposed by the United Nations and G-20. The significance of Islamic financial inclusion goes beyond improved access to finance to encompass enhanced access to savings and risk mitigation products, as well as social inclusion that allows individuals and companies to engage more actively in the real economy. It represents one of the important drivers of economic growth. This volume explores the financial risks associated with lending to low-income groups due to high poverty levels and the lack of collateralization mechanisms. The first book on the market to provide empirical evidence of Islamic microfinance, deposit insurance and micro-entrepreneurship through the analysis of models and country case studies, this edited collection will be of value to those researching development finance, financial inclusion and Islamic finance.

Financial Inclusion and Poverty Alleviation

Financial Inclusion and Poverty Alleviation
Author: Muhamed Zulkhibri
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2017-11-30
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3319697994

This book explores the relationships between financial inclusion, poverty and inclusive development from Islamic perspectives. Financial inclusion has become an important global agenda and priority for policymakers and regulators in many Muslim countries for sustainable long-term economic growth. It has also become an integral part of many development institutions and multilateral development banks in efforts to promote inclusive growth. Many studies in economic development and poverty reduction suggest that financial inclusion matters. Financial inclusion, within the broader context of inclusive development, is viewed as an important means to tackle poverty and inequality and to address the sustainable development goals (SDGs). This book contributes to the literature on these topics and will be of interest to researchers and academics interested in Islamic finance and financial inclusion.

Islamic Banking

Islamic Banking
Author: Nafis Alam
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 159
Release: 2016-11-10
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3319459104

This book focuses on current issues impacting the Islamic banking system globally. The contributions introduce readers to existing research and literature in the field and highlight areas of potential scholarly development within Islamic banking studies. The chapters are a variety of case studies, theoretical reviews, and empirical research within the world of Islamic banking. The contributions analyse new developments within Islamic banks from OIC member countries, Malaysia and the GCC. Particular attention is paid to the formative insolvency case of Arcapita Bank in chapter 6. Other chapters provide detailed discussion of the structures, marketing activities and products of Islamic banks, and contrast them with those of counterpart conventional banks. Through this edited collection, readers are given expert insight into contemporary, critical issues facing the growing sphere of Islamic banking.

Islamic Finance

Islamic Finance
Author: Mr.Alfred Kammer
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 38
Release: 2015-04-06
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1475561822

The SDN discusses the main policy issues and challenges in building an inclusive and safe Islamic finance industry, with emphasis on Islamic banking and Sukuk markets. To this end, it discuses why Islamic finance matters, taking into account its recent and prospective growth; and, its potential contributions in terms of financial inclusion, support for small- and medium-sized enterprises and investment in public infrastructure and, in principle, reduced systemic risk. It then covers a range of regulatory and other challenges, and offers policy advice, to address factors that hamper the development of the industry and, more generally, the delivery of its potential benefits. The paper covers regulatory and supervisory issues, safety nets and resolution frameworks, access to finance, Sukuk markets, and macroeconomic policies.

COVID-19 and Islamic Social Finance

COVID-19 and Islamic Social Finance
Author: M. Kabir Hassan
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2021-03-08
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1000356213

It is said that the COVID-19 pandemic has turned back the poverty clock. As such, there is a need to have social mechanisms put in place to provide relief to those who are affected in this regard. Islamic social finance consists of tools and institutions that could be used to alleviate poverty. This book explores the impact of COVID-19 on Islamic finance to better understand the effectiveness of Islamic social finance in helping those who have been affected by poverty overnight due to the halt in all major economic activities in the context of the pandemic. Since the struggle against poverty in each country will be different, the book attempts to shed light on the experiences of different countries by presenting successful models of Islamic social finance. The book first looks at poverty and COVID-19 before delving into the role of Islamic social financial institutions and how they have risen against COVID-19. The book concludes by examining the impact of COVID-19 on Islamic microfinance. This book is the first of its kind on the subject of COVID-19, and it intends to bridge the gap in the literature.

Economic Development and Islamic Finance

Economic Development and Islamic Finance
Author: Zamir Iqbal
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 375
Release: 2013-08-05
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0821399543

Although Islamic finance is one of the fastest growing segments of emerging global financial markets, its concepts are not fully exploited especially in the areas of economic development, inclusion, access to finance, and public policy. This volume is to improve understanding of the perspective of Islamic finance on economic development, social and economic justice, human welfare, and economic growth.

Handbook of Research on Islamic Social Finance and Economic Recovery After a Global Health Crisis

Handbook of Research on Islamic Social Finance and Economic Recovery After a Global Health Crisis
Author: Kassim, Salina
Publisher: IGI Global
Total Pages: 410
Release: 2021-04-30
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1799868133

Social financial reporting as an economic tool presents the firm as a socio-economic unit with empowered social capital to enable a sustainable economic solution, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Islamic social finance (ISF) is a corporate social responsibility initiative in the form of humanitarian and socio-development programs by Islamic financial institutions and Shariah-compliant corporations. ISF is applied through various methods and tools that structure based on Islamic Sharia Law. For example, Islamic social finance tools would either be philanthropic, involving activities such as zakat (obligatory alms-giving), Sadaqah (voluntary alms-giving/charity), and waqf (endowment) or ta’awun (cooperation-based activities), which include Qardh al-hasan (benevolent loan) and kafala (guarantee). Thus, Islamic social finance instruments play a vital role in alleviating poverty and addressing socio-economic issues such as illiteracy, unemployment, malnutrition, and health issues. As such, integrated ISF reporting can empower sustainable economic development and lead to recovery. The Handbook of Research on Islamic Social Finance and Economic Recovery After a Global Health Crisis provides insights on the role of Islamic social finance in supporting and facilitating economic recovery in the post-COVID-19 era as well as reducing poverty and addressing the challenges of socio-economic problems such as education, unemployment, malnutrition, and health issues. This book is ideally intended for practitioners, stakeholders, researchers, academicians, and students who are interested in improving their understanding on the role of Islamic social finance theoretically and empirically in solving the issue of poverty and developing excellent funds management to achieve economic empowerment with better environmental sustainability.