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Middle EastMarch 9 2022

The changing face of sharia-compliant retail banking in the UK

Al Rayan Bank, a subsidiary of Qatar’s Masraf Al Rayan, is the UK’s oldest and largest Islamic bank. CEO Giles Cunningham spoke to John Everington about the growth prospects for Islamic Finance in the UK, the bank’s recent pivot towards commercial property and the prospects for new sharia-compliant banks launching in the UK.
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The changing face of sharia-compliant retail banking in the UK

Q: What is the outlook for the Islamic banking sector worldwide and for the UK in 2022?

A: We predict a 10–12% increase in the Islamic banking sector globally for the year ahead. It’s harder to judge what growth will be like in the UK, but if you include sharia-compliant deposit products, which are proving increasingly popular with both Muslim and non-Muslim customers, then you’re probably likely to see similar levels of growth.

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John Everington is the Middle East and Africa editor. Prior to joining The Banker, John was the deputy business editor of The National in the UAE, and has also worked for Dealreporter, Arab News and The Telegraph. He has also covered the telecom sector in Africa and the Middle East, living and working in Qatar and the UK. John has a BA in Arabic and History and an MA in Middle Eastern Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London.
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