Despite a fall in total assets, The Banker's 2015 survey of the Top Islamic Financial Institutions indicates that the market is continuing to move in the right direction, with sharia-compliant institutions improving access to and delivery of services, developing microfinance services, and forming stronger strategic partnerships across Asia.
Top Islamic financial institutions 2015
The brighter Islamic finance picture beyond Iran's woes
November 2, 2015The negative growth recorded in the aggregate assets of Islamic financial institutions in this year's survey can almost entirely be attributed to a collapse in the value of the Iranian rial. When delving further into the data, a much more healthy picture emerges.
DIEDC chief looks to drive Islamic economy
November 2, 2015The Islamic economy – be it the halal industry, tourism, retail, pensions or telecommunications – needs well-regulated, geographically harmonised sharia-complaint finance if it is to realise its full potential, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre CEO Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar tells The Banker.
Sukuk increase in popularity but hit compliance issues
November 2, 2015There has been a spike in the number of sukuk issued outside the Muslim world. But while demand is up, there remains a significant number of regulatory and operational obstacles in issuing these sharia-compliant bonds.
Digital leaders emerge in Islamic finance industry
November 2, 2015The reputation for conservatism among Islamic financial institutions does not extend to the world of digital banking, where many of its leading players are showing an innovative streak that matches anything coming out of their conventional peers.
Islamic finance roundtable: filling the SME gap
November 2, 2015Despite high demand for sharia-compliant finance, a lack of expertise and services tailored to SMEs has resulted in significant underfunding of such businesses. Four specialists from the Islamic finance world look at how to make up for this shortfall.
Islamic finance targets Indonesia and Africa
November 2, 2015The large unbanked Muslim populations of Indonesia and Africa present a huge opportunity for Islamic financial institutions, with Africa's infrastructural shortfall providing a particularly fertile ground for the sukuk market.
