Islamic mega-bank
Sheikh Saleh Kamel, the head of Al Baraka Banking Group, says that a $100 billion Islamic mega-bank is possible in 5 to 7 years. The bank which will be called Emaar, will be established in Bahrain and start with $1 billion and reach $100 billion in 5 years. Sheikh Kamel believes the bank will increase liquidity in Islamic banking.
Other News
EPF will complete the purchase of RHB by July 2007 after receiving approval from Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian central bank.
HSBC plans to open a fully Islamic banking subsidiary in Malaysia, pending BNM approval.
DBS Group received the first license to open an Islamic bank in Singapore. The bank hired four Shari'ah scholars including Sheikh Nizam Yaqouby, a prominent scholar.
The head of the Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authoriy (LOFSA) says Islamic banking requires a solid regulatory framework to esure future growth.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Ed Balls opens London Islamic Financial Services Summit
Economic Secretary for HM Treasury Ed Balls opened the London Islamic Financial Services Summit with a speech detailing how the U.K. government has adjusted its tax and regulatory system in order to make Shari'ah-compliant products competitive in a tax sense with conventional products. Mr. Balls noted that:
He describes how one of the focuses has been on reforming tax law for sukuk to give them the same tax advantages as corporate bonds and securitizations. He also announced a meeting at No. 11 Downing Street (the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown) with the experts of Islamic finance.
"Increased availability of these types of financial products is vital to ensuring the Muslim community in Britain has equal access to business opportunities. Banks such as Lloyds TSB, Royal Bank of Scotland, and HSBC are all offering Shariah compliant products, and London is also the home to a fully Shariah compliant retail bank. Since 2003 the Islamic mortgage market has grown to over half a billion pounds - an increase of about 50% in the last year alone."
He describes how one of the focuses has been on reforming tax law for sukuk to give them the same tax advantages as corporate bonds and securitizations. He also announced a meeting at No. 11 Downing Street (the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown) with the experts of Islamic finance.
ESC Lille to open Gulf Campus & offer Islamic finance courses program in GCC and France
Following up on the press release, Prof. Christophe N. Bredillet, Dean of Postgraduate Programs at ESC-Lille who answered a few questions regarding their announcement of plans to open a campus in the Gulf region:
The press release is below:
Leading French business school ESC Lille to open campus in Gulf Region
United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar under consideration
March 2007. Leading French business school Lille School of Management (ESC Lille) has announced plans to open a new campus in the Gulf Region. The school is currently considering The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain or Qatar as possible locations for the campus, which it hopes to launch within the next two years. ESC Lille is keen to promote its expertise, notably in international project management, in the Gulf’s vibrant and growing education market as well as to increase recruitment and extend its partnerships in the region.
For over a decade, ESC Lille has welcomed students and executives from the Gulf Region, many of whom are attracted by the school’s expertise in project management. ESC Lille is the first institution outside the US to have its postgraduate project management programmes accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management) which counts 230 000 members in 125 countries worldwide. The school has further reinforced its presence in the Gulf through partnerships with some of the region’s leading international companies including Thales, Dassault and Total; and local companies Deyaar Development, Union Tower, UAE Airforce, Ideal Management Consulting, and Aramex, among others.
“Through its students, alumni, and partners, ESC Lille has built a relationship with the Gulf Region that goes back 15 years,” explained Christophe Bredillet, ESC Lille’s Dean of Postgraduate Programmes. “The economies of the Gulf are booming, international investment is on the rise, and education is a top priority. A campus is the next logical step.”
Representatives from ESC Lille will be on hand to speak to prospective students at the Global Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX) in Dubai from April 11th – 14th, 2007.
IHI: Will the Gulf campus offer courses in Islamic finance, banking, investment or management?
Prof. Bredillet: Yes, but this will become a topic in our MBA programme located in Paris as well
IHI: If it offers Islamic finance courses, will it exploit the opportunities to work with Islamic financial institutions in the Gulf?
Prof. Bredillet: Yes of course. And as we are currently offering certifications like CIMA [The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants] and CFA [Chartered Financial Analyst] in France, we think that we will have a good opportunity to use this as a lever.
The press release is below:
Leading French business school ESC Lille to open campus in Gulf Region
United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar under consideration
March 2007. Leading French business school Lille School of Management (ESC Lille) has announced plans to open a new campus in the Gulf Region. The school is currently considering The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain or Qatar as possible locations for the campus, which it hopes to launch within the next two years. ESC Lille is keen to promote its expertise, notably in international project management, in the Gulf’s vibrant and growing education market as well as to increase recruitment and extend its partnerships in the region.
For over a decade, ESC Lille has welcomed students and executives from the Gulf Region, many of whom are attracted by the school’s expertise in project management. ESC Lille is the first institution outside the US to have its postgraduate project management programmes accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management) which counts 230 000 members in 125 countries worldwide. The school has further reinforced its presence in the Gulf through partnerships with some of the region’s leading international companies including Thales, Dassault and Total; and local companies Deyaar Development, Union Tower, UAE Airforce, Ideal Management Consulting, and Aramex, among others.
“Through its students, alumni, and partners, ESC Lille has built a relationship with the Gulf Region that goes back 15 years,” explained Christophe Bredillet, ESC Lille’s Dean of Postgraduate Programmes. “The economies of the Gulf are booming, international investment is on the rise, and education is a top priority. A campus is the next logical step.”
Representatives from ESC Lille will be on hand to speak to prospective students at the Global Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX) in Dubai from April 11th – 14th, 2007.
Islamic finance not creating new entrepreneurs, new liquidity management tools, EPF seeks partners, Islamic capital markets
Islamic finance has not created new entrepreneurs
Experts in Islamic finance believe that, contrary to expectations, the rapidly growing Islamic finance market has not created many new entrepreneurs, instead creating greater wealth for bankers and lawyers and has served the already-banked market. Creating shari'ah-compliant microfinancing will allow banking services to become more widely available, but this has not been developed. One of the Institute's priorities is creating a model for halal microfinance that will be as successful as conventional microfinance but using an equity-based rather than a debt-based model.
KFH-Bahrain to start Shari'ah Compliant Overnight Fund (SCOF)
The Bahraini branch of Kuwait Finance House will launch the SCOF as a tool for Islamic banks to manage short-term liquidity through investments in real estate companies. They will work in partnership with Fortis Direct Real Estate.
EPF to talk to potential strategic partners; KFH expected to be one of them
Speculation is still strong that Kuwait Finance House (KFH) will be a strategic partner with Employees Provident Fund in Rashid Hussain Bhd. The Financial Times also pointed to Barclays, RBS or an unnamed Japanese bank.
Islamic Capital Markets
There is a comment in the Business Times (Malaysia) advocating for development of parallel Islamic capital markets which operate along side conventional capital markets.
GCC and Asia
Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, governor at Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian central bank, highlighted the growing links between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Asia which has been reinforced by the growth of Islamic finance.
Other news
Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Bhd does not plan any more acquisitions and will focus on organic growth instead following its unsuccessful bid for Utama Banking Group Bhd 32.8% stake in Rashid Hussain Bhd. KFH also plans to unveil new products in the second and third quarters of this year.
Islamic finance requires different regulation to account for Shari'ah risk, asset price risk, rate of return risk and the investor-manager relationship between Islamic banks and their clients.
Asian Finance Bank plans RM1 billion ($289 million) in investment funds by the end of 2006 with most of these invested in real estate.
The Malaysian Securities Commission will now release its list of Shari'ah-compliant securities on the last Friday of May and November. Previously, the list was released in April and October.
The International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) will continue to work on new projects
Experts in Islamic finance believe that, contrary to expectations, the rapidly growing Islamic finance market has not created many new entrepreneurs, instead creating greater wealth for bankers and lawyers and has served the already-banked market. Creating shari'ah-compliant microfinancing will allow banking services to become more widely available, but this has not been developed. One of the Institute's priorities is creating a model for halal microfinance that will be as successful as conventional microfinance but using an equity-based rather than a debt-based model.
KFH-Bahrain to start Shari'ah Compliant Overnight Fund (SCOF)
The Bahraini branch of Kuwait Finance House will launch the SCOF as a tool for Islamic banks to manage short-term liquidity through investments in real estate companies. They will work in partnership with Fortis Direct Real Estate.
EPF to talk to potential strategic partners; KFH expected to be one of them
Speculation is still strong that Kuwait Finance House (KFH) will be a strategic partner with Employees Provident Fund in Rashid Hussain Bhd. The Financial Times also pointed to Barclays, RBS or an unnamed Japanese bank.
Islamic Capital Markets
There is a comment in the Business Times (Malaysia) advocating for development of parallel Islamic capital markets which operate along side conventional capital markets.
GCC and Asia
Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, governor at Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian central bank, highlighted the growing links between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Asia which has been reinforced by the growth of Islamic finance.
Other news
Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Bhd does not plan any more acquisitions and will focus on organic growth instead following its unsuccessful bid for Utama Banking Group Bhd 32.8% stake in Rashid Hussain Bhd. KFH also plans to unveil new products in the second and third quarters of this year.
Islamic finance requires different regulation to account for Shari'ah risk, asset price risk, rate of return risk and the investor-manager relationship between Islamic banks and their clients.
Asian Finance Bank plans RM1 billion ($289 million) in investment funds by the end of 2006 with most of these invested in real estate.
The Malaysian Securities Commission will now release its list of Shari'ah-compliant securities on the last Friday of May and November. Previously, the list was released in April and October.
The International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) will continue to work on new projects
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
New Islamic finance conference
The London Islamic Financial Services Summit: Opportunities and Challenges for Market Participants
March 29, 2007
Keynote Speaker: Ed Balls, Economic Secretary at HM Treasury
This conference will be added to the IHI Conference listings.
March 29, 2007
Keynote Speaker: Ed Balls, Economic Secretary at HM Treasury
This conference will be added to the IHI Conference listings.
Islamic finance leakages and EPF seeks partners for RHB
Islamic finance has significant leakages into conventional finance - CIMB CEO
CIMB Group CEO Nazir Razak believes the Islamic financial system has significant leakage into non-Shari'ah-compliant assets. He was speaking at the Global Islamic Finance Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was critical of the usage of proceeds from investment of deposits in commodity murabaha and the overpricing of sukuk in the Middle East when cheaper sukuk financing is available in Malaysia. The Malaysian Islamic interbank money market announced a new commodity murabaha product for liquidity management yesterday.
EPF seeks 2 strategic partners for RHB
Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the Malaysian state-run pension fund, is seeking two strategic partners for Rashid Hussain Bhd (RHB), the company in which it holds a 75 percent stake. One of the firms vying for a role in running the Islamic banking operations is Kuwait Finance House (KFH) which operates in Malaysia as Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Bhd
Other News
The Guardian Islamophonic podcast focuses on Islamic finance and speaks with Junaid Bhatti from the Islamic Bank of Britain, critic of Islamic finance Dr. Muhammad Saleem and the Economic Secretary of HM Treasury Ed Balls.
IFSB approves 10 year framework for Islamic finance.
Comments from Islamic finance professionals.
International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) appoints Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS) to offer its Certified Islamic Finance Professional (CIFP) course.
Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the investment holding arm of the Malaysian government, plans to reduce its holdings in government-linked companies (GLCs) by issuing sukuk.
Innovative new sukuk structures are needed to increase the size and appeal of the market.
The Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi wants Malaysia to be a hub for Islamic finance.
Asian Finance Bank officially opens as the third foreign-owned Islamic bank in Malaysia.
Islamic funds are now easier to offer in both Malaysia and Dubai
CIMB Group CEO Nazir Razak believes the Islamic financial system has significant leakage into non-Shari'ah-compliant assets. He was speaking at the Global Islamic Finance Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was critical of the usage of proceeds from investment of deposits in commodity murabaha and the overpricing of sukuk in the Middle East when cheaper sukuk financing is available in Malaysia. The Malaysian Islamic interbank money market announced a new commodity murabaha product for liquidity management yesterday.
EPF seeks 2 strategic partners for RHB
Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the Malaysian state-run pension fund, is seeking two strategic partners for Rashid Hussain Bhd (RHB), the company in which it holds a 75 percent stake. One of the firms vying for a role in running the Islamic banking operations is Kuwait Finance House (KFH) which operates in Malaysia as Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Bhd
Other News
The Guardian Islamophonic podcast focuses on Islamic finance and speaks with Junaid Bhatti from the Islamic Bank of Britain, critic of Islamic finance Dr. Muhammad Saleem and the Economic Secretary of HM Treasury Ed Balls.
IFSB approves 10 year framework for Islamic finance.
Comments from Islamic finance professionals.
International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) appoints Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS) to offer its Certified Islamic Finance Professional (CIFP) course.
Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the investment holding arm of the Malaysian government, plans to reduce its holdings in government-linked companies (GLCs) by issuing sukuk.
Innovative new sukuk structures are needed to increase the size and appeal of the market.
The Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi wants Malaysia to be a hub for Islamic finance.
Asian Finance Bank officially opens as the third foreign-owned Islamic bank in Malaysia.
Islamic funds are now easier to offer in both Malaysia and Dubai
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Shari'ah Capital, Islamic finance education and the development of the Islamic financial industry
Shair'ah Capital Inc. unveils hedge fund platform
There is an article (sub. rqd.) in the Wall Street Journal (an also a freely available press release from Shari'ah Capital) about the launch. The new products will be based on al-arboon, an advance payment similar to a down payment towards the purchase price that gives the buyer the right to purchase a good at a given price. GRT Capital Partners, an alternative investment manager in Boston, will use the platform. Al-arboon is an alternative to the more controversial salam (forward) method of replicating options and shorts.
Islamic finance lacks depth
While Islamic finance has grown rapidly and continues to grow, it has not developed the depth of conventional financial markets, Reuters reports. Much of the growth has been in sukuk and private equity, as well as other financial services for high net worth individuals yet the secondary market for sukuk is almost non-existent. One of the most interesting parts of the article is the comment from the head of Arcapita, the Bahraini Islamic private equity firm which owns Church's Chicken, Caribou Coffee and Yakima in the U.S., suggesting that Islamic finance has been successfully marketed in the U.S. based on its similarities with ethical investing.
Western educational institutions offer courses in Islamic finance
Educational institutions like Harvard University, Tufts University, the Cass Business School and Rice University offer courses or programs in Islamic finance. Programs mentioned include:
Cooperation is key to developing new Islamic finance products
The head of International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF), Professor Dr. Malik Muhammad Mahmud Al-Awan believes that countries should cooperate in research on new Islamic financial products. This approach should take a non-confrontational approach to conventional finance, as Malaysia has done, in order to spur the acceptance of Islamic finance. He stressed that "the 21st century is seeing so much political conflict between Islam and the West, yet in the field of Islamic finance, the West has embraced it with open arms".
Other News
The world's oldest Islamic bank, Dubai Islamic Bank issued its first sukuk on the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX).
Minority shareholders of Rashid Hussain Bhd (RHB) want it to remain listed. Employees Provident Fund, the Malaysian state-run pension fund which will control RHB has said it will delist RHB but RHB Capital will remain listed.
ABN Amro Bank Bhd, the Malaysian branch of the Dutch banking group, plans to seek approval from Bank Negara Malaysia, the central bank, to open an Islamic subsidiary in the country.
AmIslamic Bank will offer takaful in Malaysia in partnership with Takaful IKHLAS Sdn Bhd and FWU AG. FWU designed the plan, Takaful IKHLAS will be the trustee and AmIslamic Bank will administer the takaful plan.
Hong Leong Bhd subsidiary Hong Leong Islamic Bank will team up with UBS to offer non-ringgit structured financial products which are Shari'ah compliant.
CIMB Group Bhd will open an Islamic private banking service in Malaysia.
Foreign banks will be able to buy Malaysian Islamic banks, but will not be allowed to operate transactions in ringgit.
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to cooperate on capacity building and human capital development.
Malaysia will offer commodity-based murabaha as a way for banks to manage liquidity in the Islamic interbank money market (IIMM). The murabaha will be based on palm oil-based contracts.
Indonesia should follow Malaysia's example and reduce double taxation to spur the development of Islamic finance in the world's most populous Muslim country.
KPJ Healthcare Bhd plans to expand its healthcare REIT
Finance professionals applaud tax changes in the U.K. dealing with sukuk.
There is an article (sub. rqd.) in the Wall Street Journal (an also a freely available press release from Shari'ah Capital) about the launch. The new products will be based on al-arboon, an advance payment similar to a down payment towards the purchase price that gives the buyer the right to purchase a good at a given price. GRT Capital Partners, an alternative investment manager in Boston, will use the platform. Al-arboon is an alternative to the more controversial salam (forward) method of replicating options and shorts.
Islamic finance lacks depth
While Islamic finance has grown rapidly and continues to grow, it has not developed the depth of conventional financial markets, Reuters reports. Much of the growth has been in sukuk and private equity, as well as other financial services for high net worth individuals yet the secondary market for sukuk is almost non-existent. One of the most interesting parts of the article is the comment from the head of Arcapita, the Bahraini Islamic private equity firm which owns Church's Chicken, Caribou Coffee and Yakima in the U.S., suggesting that Islamic finance has been successfully marketed in the U.S. based on its similarities with ethical investing.
Western educational institutions offer courses in Islamic finance
Educational institutions like Harvard University, Tufts University, the Cass Business School and Rice University offer courses or programs in Islamic finance. Programs mentioned include:
• Harvard Law School's Islamic Finance Project
• Dr. Mahmoud El-Gamal (Rice University)
• Ibrahim Warde (Tufts University)
• Cass Business School Islamic Executive MBA
Cooperation is key to developing new Islamic finance products
The head of International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF), Professor Dr. Malik Muhammad Mahmud Al-Awan believes that countries should cooperate in research on new Islamic financial products. This approach should take a non-confrontational approach to conventional finance, as Malaysia has done, in order to spur the acceptance of Islamic finance. He stressed that "the 21st century is seeing so much political conflict between Islam and the West, yet in the field of Islamic finance, the West has embraced it with open arms".
Other News
The world's oldest Islamic bank, Dubai Islamic Bank issued its first sukuk on the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX).
Minority shareholders of Rashid Hussain Bhd (RHB) want it to remain listed. Employees Provident Fund, the Malaysian state-run pension fund which will control RHB has said it will delist RHB but RHB Capital will remain listed.
ABN Amro Bank Bhd, the Malaysian branch of the Dutch banking group, plans to seek approval from Bank Negara Malaysia, the central bank, to open an Islamic subsidiary in the country.
AmIslamic Bank will offer takaful in Malaysia in partnership with Takaful IKHLAS Sdn Bhd and FWU AG. FWU designed the plan, Takaful IKHLAS will be the trustee and AmIslamic Bank will administer the takaful plan.
Hong Leong Bhd subsidiary Hong Leong Islamic Bank will team up with UBS to offer non-ringgit structured financial products which are Shari'ah compliant.
CIMB Group Bhd will open an Islamic private banking service in Malaysia.
Foreign banks will be able to buy Malaysian Islamic banks, but will not be allowed to operate transactions in ringgit.
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Qatar Financial Center Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to cooperate on capacity building and human capital development.
Malaysia will offer commodity-based murabaha as a way for banks to manage liquidity in the Islamic interbank money market (IIMM). The murabaha will be based on palm oil-based contracts.
Indonesia should follow Malaysia's example and reduce double taxation to spur the development of Islamic finance in the world's most populous Muslim country.
KPJ Healthcare Bhd plans to expand its healthcare REIT
Finance professionals applaud tax changes in the U.K. dealing with sukuk.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Dow Jones Islamic Market AMANA Sri Lanka Index
Some statistics on the index compared to the Sri Lankan All Share Price Index (Sri Lanka ASPI) and Milanka Price Index (MPI), which is composed of the 25 most highly traded stocks on the Colombo Stock Exchange.
Index Dow Jones AMANA Sri Lanka ASPI MPI
------ ------------------------- ------------------ ----
YTD 9.73% N/A N/A
2/28/07
2006 47.08% 41.6% 51.4%
Index Dow Jones AMANA Sri Lanka ASPI MPI
------ ------------------------- ------------------ ----
YTD 9.73% N/A N/A
2/28/07
2006 47.08% 41.6% 51.4%
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Halal microfinance
Last week, in response to a story about the Islamic leveraged buy out of Aston Martin, I wrote a letter to the editor of the Financial Times, which was published today.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Today's news in Islamic banking, finance and investing
The Islamic finance industry is becoming more sophisticated in attracting customers.
Description of Islamic finance and the tax changes the U.K. approved to draw Islamic finance to London in hopes of turning the city into the western hub of the industry.
Hong Leong Bank Bhd, the Malaysian bank, plans on expanding into Vietnam and Indonesia and is interested in a tie-up with a foreign Islamic ban.
Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has secured Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) approval for its Islamic banking subsidiary. BNM is the Malaysian central bank.
UEM World plans on using Islamic financing for projects in the Iskander Development Region (IDR)
Citibank Bhd, the Malaysian branch of Citigroup, plans on using Malaysia as its hub for new Islamic banking product development
The Malaysian Securities Commission (SC) and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) are working together to develop standards for Islamic finance products that are mutually-recognized in Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Description of Islamic finance and the tax changes the U.K. approved to draw Islamic finance to London in hopes of turning the city into the western hub of the industry.
Hong Leong Bank Bhd, the Malaysian bank, plans on expanding into Vietnam and Indonesia and is interested in a tie-up with a foreign Islamic ban.
Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) has secured Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) approval for its Islamic banking subsidiary. BNM is the Malaysian central bank.
UEM World plans on using Islamic financing for projects in the Iskander Development Region (IDR)
Citibank Bhd, the Malaysian branch of Citigroup, plans on using Malaysia as its hub for new Islamic banking product development
The Malaysian Securities Commission (SC) and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) are working together to develop standards for Islamic finance products that are mutually-recognized in Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Thursday, March 22, 2007
UK Tax Changes
The Financial Times has an online article about the new changes in tax treatment of sukuk.
RHB expansion, IFSB meeting in KL, Malaysia and Other News
RHB to expand regionally
Rashid Hussain Bhd subsidiary RHB Bank announced plans to expand into Thailand and Indonesia. The decision follows the sale of RHB and RHB Capital to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the Malaysian state-run pension fund.
IFSB meeting on March 26, 2007
Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian central bank will host the Islamic Financial Standards Board (IFSB) meeting on March 26, 2007 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The IFSB meeting is part of a four day series of conferences, the Global Islamic Finance Forum (GIFF) 2007.
The list of conferences at the GIFF is available on the IHI website "Conference Listing" page
Other News
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) released guidelines (pdf) coming into force on April 6 about organizations offering Shari'ah-compliant home financing programs. The guidelines are included in the Mortgages: Conduct of Business Sourcebook [News story]
IJM Corp Bhd to use Islamic financing for Karachi expressway.
HSBC Holdings plc plans on launching an Islamic private equity fund.
A few statistics about Islamic finance in Malaysia.
Rashid Hussain Bhd subsidiary RHB Bank announced plans to expand into Thailand and Indonesia. The decision follows the sale of RHB and RHB Capital to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the Malaysian state-run pension fund.
IFSB meeting on March 26, 2007
Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian central bank will host the Islamic Financial Standards Board (IFSB) meeting on March 26, 2007 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The IFSB meeting is part of a four day series of conferences, the Global Islamic Finance Forum (GIFF) 2007.
The list of conferences at the GIFF is available on the IHI website "Conference Listing" page
Other News
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) released guidelines (pdf) coming into force on April 6 about organizations offering Shari'ah-compliant home financing programs. The guidelines are included in the Mortgages: Conduct of Business Sourcebook [News story]
IJM Corp Bhd to use Islamic financing for Karachi expressway.
HSBC Holdings plc plans on launching an Islamic private equity fund.
A few statistics about Islamic finance in Malaysia.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
BNM issues Annual Report & Financial Stability Report
The Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian central bank today issued the Annual Report and the Financial Stability and Payment Systems Report for 2006.
The Annual Report describes the significant development in the Islamic Interbank Money Market program:
The ijara sukuk is based on the transfer of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) assets (buildings and land) to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) which purchases the assets with cash from sukuk issue and then leases the assets back to BNM and distributes the leasing income to the sukuk holders. At the maturity date of the sukuk, BNM repurchases the assets at a prespecified price. The sukuk will be used as part of the BNM liquidity management purposes in the Islamic Interbank Money Market.
The Financial Stability report describes the Islamic banking sector as well capitalized, in part because of higher pre-tax profits, and presents a pre-tax preliminary (unaudited) profit growth rate for the Islamic banking system of 9.6% over 2005. Takaful operaters also saw contributions and assets rise. Malaysia saw the growth of new Islamic banks, the conversion of some Islamic windows into Islamic banking subsidiaries and the licensing of two retakaful (Islamic reinsurance) firms. The Islamic financial industry saw increasing adoption of the Capital Adequacy Standards from the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) and the launch of the Malaysian International Islamic Finance Center (MIFC).
The Annual Report describes the significant development in the Islamic Interbank Money Market program:
"A major development in Islamic money market operations during the year was the inaugural issuance of the Bank Negara Malaysia Sukuk Ijarah on 16 February 2006, with an issue size of RM400 million."
The ijara sukuk is based on the transfer of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) assets (buildings and land) to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) which purchases the assets with cash from sukuk issue and then leases the assets back to BNM and distributes the leasing income to the sukuk holders. At the maturity date of the sukuk, BNM repurchases the assets at a prespecified price. The sukuk will be used as part of the BNM liquidity management purposes in the Islamic Interbank Money Market.
The Financial Stability report describes the Islamic banking sector as well capitalized, in part because of higher pre-tax profits, and presents a pre-tax preliminary (unaudited) profit growth rate for the Islamic banking system of 9.6% over 2005. Takaful operaters also saw contributions and assets rise. Malaysia saw the growth of new Islamic banks, the conversion of some Islamic windows into Islamic banking subsidiaries and the licensing of two retakaful (Islamic reinsurance) firms. The Islamic financial industry saw increasing adoption of the Capital Adequacy Standards from the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) and the launch of the Malaysian International Islamic Finance Center (MIFC).
Pakistani Central Bank sets new qualifications & rules for Shari'ah advisors
The State Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan's central bank, has issued new qualifications and restrictions on Shari'ah advisors. The new regulations require Shari'ah advisors to have a postgraduate degree in Shari'ah law, four years of experience and limits the degree to which Shari'ah scholars can hold executive or non-executive positions with Islamic banks other than Shari'ah scholars. The new regulations do allow Shari'ah scholars to oversee multiple Islamic financial institutions as long as they are not involved outside of the Shari'ah compliance role and do not have significant financial interests in any organization to which they provide oversight.
KFH, Maybank in Malaysia, UK legal changes for Islamic finance and other news
KFH wants 49 percent of RHB Islamic
Kuwait Finance House, the Kuwaiti Islamic bank which was involved in the bidding for Rashid Hussain Bhd (RHB)before the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) entered with the winning bid, wants to gain a 49 percent stake in RHB Islamic, the Islamic banking arm of RHB. Managing Director Salman Younis said no offer had yet been made, but that KFH was eager to obtain a stake in RHB Islamic Bank. In a panel discussion, Mr. Younis remarked that deputy governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian central bank, "would like someone to take up the 49 per cent equity in RHB Islamic. I [Mr. Younis] didn’t say anything. If we have been offered the opportunity... yes [we would have taken it], because you know we wanted to get RHB".
UK has done enough to encourage Islamic finance
The director of KPMG Islamic Finance Advisory Darshan Bijur says that Gordon Brown, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer and likely successor to Tony Blair as Prime Minister, has done enough to adapt British laws to encourage the growth of Islamic finance in the country.
Maybank to open Islamic bank
Maybank, Malaysia's largest lender by assets, plans to open a stand-alone Islamic bank as soon as it receives approval from the Malaysian central bank.
CIMB Islamic to expand outside of Malaysia
The executive director of CIMB Islamic, Badlisyah Abdul Ghani announced that the company will leverage Malaysia's experience in creating Shari'ah-compliant products to expand the company globally. He was speaking at the World Halal Forum 2007.
Other News
Mumbai will host an Islamic finance conference.
Bahraini bank Global House plans to open a $500 million Islamic bank in Syria.
Kuwait Finance House, the Kuwaiti Islamic bank which was involved in the bidding for Rashid Hussain Bhd (RHB)before the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) entered with the winning bid, wants to gain a 49 percent stake in RHB Islamic, the Islamic banking arm of RHB. Managing Director Salman Younis said no offer had yet been made, but that KFH was eager to obtain a stake in RHB Islamic Bank. In a panel discussion, Mr. Younis remarked that deputy governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian central bank, "would like someone to take up the 49 per cent equity in RHB Islamic. I [Mr. Younis] didn’t say anything. If we have been offered the opportunity... yes [we would have taken it], because you know we wanted to get RHB".
UK has done enough to encourage Islamic finance
The director of KPMG Islamic Finance Advisory Darshan Bijur says that Gordon Brown, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer and likely successor to Tony Blair as Prime Minister, has done enough to adapt British laws to encourage the growth of Islamic finance in the country.
Maybank to open Islamic bank
Maybank, Malaysia's largest lender by assets, plans to open a stand-alone Islamic bank as soon as it receives approval from the Malaysian central bank.
CIMB Islamic to expand outside of Malaysia
The executive director of CIMB Islamic, Badlisyah Abdul Ghani announced that the company will leverage Malaysia's experience in creating Shari'ah-compliant products to expand the company globally. He was speaking at the World Halal Forum 2007.
Other News
Mumbai will host an Islamic finance conference.
Bahraini bank Global House plans to open a $500 million Islamic bank in Syria.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Moroccan Islamic finance & other news
Islamic finance in Morocco
Morocco's central bank, Bank Al-Maghrib, will allow ijara, musharaka and murabaha products to be offered by banks in Morocco. A statement released by the Central Bank said Islamic finance will "allow a widening of banking services and contribute to a higher rate of banking in the economy"
Other News
Kuwait Global Investment House launches an Islamic fund. The $350 million fund will invest in "Gulf Arab companies that are compliant with with the Islamic sharia principles".
Dubai Islamic Bank aims to raise $800 million for an Islamic private equity fund to invest in energy & telecom projects.
Islamic finance will continue to rely on the Cayman Islands as a center for sukuk because of its light regulatory environment.
Morocco's central bank, Bank Al-Maghrib, will allow ijara, musharaka and murabaha products to be offered by banks in Morocco. A statement released by the Central Bank said Islamic finance will "allow a widening of banking services and contribute to a higher rate of banking in the economy"
Other News
Kuwait Global Investment House launches an Islamic fund. The $350 million fund will invest in "Gulf Arab companies that are compliant with with the Islamic sharia principles".
Dubai Islamic Bank aims to raise $800 million for an Islamic private equity fund to invest in energy & telecom projects.
Islamic finance will continue to rely on the Cayman Islands as a center for sukuk because of its light regulatory environment.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Islamic banks similar to conventional banks for rating agencies --Fitch
The ratings agency Fitch Ratings released a report a few weeks ago, to which I linked, as well as discussed the reports on rating sukuk and their description of sukuk. The report which I did not discuss, on Islamic bank ratings, is the subject of this article, which provides a good summary.
Islamic banks expand products, new conventional MFIs in Pakistan, Islamic LBO of Aston Martin
Islamic finance used in leveraged buy out of Aston Martin
The leveraged buy out will be arranged by the German bank WestLB and will be using Shari'ah-compliant financing because two of the largest financial backers, The Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Country are Islamic financial institutions. The press release from Aston Martin on The Investment Dar website did not mention the planned Shari'ah-compliant nature of the financing.
Credit Suisse offers Shari'ah-compliant products
Credit Suisse announced that it will expand its product offering to include more Shari'ah-compliant products, announced the global head of Credit Suisse Islamic investments Fares Murad.
Pakistani Islamic banking
Islamic banks want the deferment of unrealized murabaha income tax changed. The State Bank of Pakistan, the Pakistani central bank, will allow Islamic banks to offer more Islamic banking products.
The State Bank of Pakistan has also issued licenses to four microfinancing institutions, although they are not mentioned as being Shari'ah compliant. The state-run microfinance institution Khushalibank does not indicate on its website that it is Shari'ah compliant, so my assumption is that it is not.
Dubai Bank
Dubai Bank, a newly Shari'ah-compliant bank in Dubai, will expand its product offering of Shari'ah-compliant financing. The bank became Shari'ah-compliant on January 1, 2007.
The leveraged buy out will be arranged by the German bank WestLB and will be using Shari'ah-compliant financing because two of the largest financial backers, The Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Country are Islamic financial institutions. The press release from Aston Martin on The Investment Dar website did not mention the planned Shari'ah-compliant nature of the financing.
Credit Suisse offers Shari'ah-compliant products
Credit Suisse announced that it will expand its product offering to include more Shari'ah-compliant products, announced the global head of Credit Suisse Islamic investments Fares Murad.
Pakistani Islamic banking
Islamic banks want the deferment of unrealized murabaha income tax changed. The State Bank of Pakistan, the Pakistani central bank, will allow Islamic banks to offer more Islamic banking products.
The State Bank of Pakistan has also issued licenses to four microfinancing institutions, although they are not mentioned as being Shari'ah compliant. The state-run microfinance institution Khushalibank does not indicate on its website that it is Shari'ah compliant, so my assumption is that it is not.
Dubai Bank
Dubai Bank, a newly Shari'ah-compliant bank in Dubai, will expand its product offering of Shari'ah-compliant financing. The bank became Shari'ah-compliant on January 1, 2007.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Private equity firm interested in RHB Capital, Brunei wants to be an IF hub, IT important for Islamic funds
US Private Equity Firm wants part of RHB Capital
Newbridge Capital Ltd., a unit of Texas Pacific Group, expressed interest in acquiring a 20% stake of RHB Capital from Malaysian state-run pension fund Employees Provident Fund which is in the process of acquiring Rashid Hussain Bhd and announced it will sell part of its holdings in RHB Capital. Kuwait Finance House has also expressed interest in acquiring and operating RHB Capital as a mega Islamic bank.
Brunei hopes to be an Islamic finance hub
At the unveiling of CIMB's Imtiyaz Liquidity Fund in Brunei, the Minister of Finance announced that the government is working to promote a domestic Islamic capital market.
IT important for Islamic funds
Managed funds tech company Charles River believes that technology plays an important role in Islamic finance and particularly Islamic funds because it can allow quick screening of companies for Shari'ah-compliance.
Newbridge Capital Ltd., a unit of Texas Pacific Group, expressed interest in acquiring a 20% stake of RHB Capital from Malaysian state-run pension fund Employees Provident Fund which is in the process of acquiring Rashid Hussain Bhd and announced it will sell part of its holdings in RHB Capital. Kuwait Finance House has also expressed interest in acquiring and operating RHB Capital as a mega Islamic bank.
Brunei hopes to be an Islamic finance hub
At the unveiling of CIMB's Imtiyaz Liquidity Fund in Brunei, the Minister of Finance announced that the government is working to promote a domestic Islamic capital market.
IT important for Islamic funds
Managed funds tech company Charles River believes that technology plays an important role in Islamic finance and particularly Islamic funds because it can allow quick screening of companies for Shari'ah-compliance.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
KFH may run RHB as Islamic Bank, new Islamic subsidiary & Shari'ah-compliant fund
EPF may choose KFH as strategic partner for RHB
Employees Provident Fund, the Malaysian state-run pension fund which agreed to purchase Utama Banking Group's 32.8 percent stake of Rashid Hussain Bhd, announced it will reduce the company's debts, in part by selling buildings and reducing the size of RHB and delisting its shares. RHB Capital, of which RHB owns 65 percent, will remain listed. EPF also announced it is considering choosing Kuwait Finance House (KFH) as its strategic partner to manage RHB Capital. Azlan Zainol, chief executive of EPF, told Bernama that "I think [KFH will be a good partner]. It will augur well in helping Malaysia [become] an Islamic Finance Hub".
Public Bank Bhd to open Islamic banking unit
Public Bank Bhd, a Malaysian bank with branches in Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and Cambodia, will open its Islamic banking subsidiary around the end of 2007. The bank currently offers Islamic banking within Malaysia.
CIMB opens fund in Brunei
The Malaysian banking firm, CIMB Group now offers a CIMB Islamic Imtiyaz Liquidity Fund USD in Brunei.
Employees Provident Fund, the Malaysian state-run pension fund which agreed to purchase Utama Banking Group's 32.8 percent stake of Rashid Hussain Bhd, announced it will reduce the company's debts, in part by selling buildings and reducing the size of RHB and delisting its shares. RHB Capital, of which RHB owns 65 percent, will remain listed. EPF also announced it is considering choosing Kuwait Finance House (KFH) as its strategic partner to manage RHB Capital. Azlan Zainol, chief executive of EPF, told Bernama that "I think [KFH will be a good partner]. It will augur well in helping Malaysia [become] an Islamic Finance Hub".
Public Bank Bhd to open Islamic banking unit
Public Bank Bhd, a Malaysian bank with branches in Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and Cambodia, will open its Islamic banking subsidiary around the end of 2007. The bank currently offers Islamic banking within Malaysia.
CIMB opens fund in Brunei
The Malaysian banking firm, CIMB Group now offers a CIMB Islamic Imtiyaz Liquidity Fund USD in Brunei.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
IF in China, Takaful & Retakaful, diminishing musharaka & Anwar Ibrahim interview
London Asia Capital creates Islamic finance division in Western China
London Asia Capital plc, a British merchant banking group, is opening an Islamic finance division in Xinjiang, China in partnership with Xinjiang Investment Corp. The Xinjiang region is home to most of China's estimated 20 million Muslims. The Islamic finance division will offer credit guarantee services to Islamic and Shari'ah-compliant companies.
Lloyd's of London 'very interested' in takaful
Lloyd's of London, the U.K.-based insurance company, expressed continued interest in expanding to serve the takaful markets in the Middle East and Malaysia. Chairman Peter Levene said he believed that takaful "could be a much more acceptable way for individuals and corporations in that area to take out insurance, which they have been unable or unwilling to do in the past" and said Lloyds was "very interested" in entering takaful markets. In a press release from Lloyds on March 1st, Peter Levene expressed that Lloyds believed "there are some potentially strong business opportunities in the Retakaful [Islamic reinsurance] sector and that Lloyd's could become an attractive platform for capital providers wishing to invest in this area."
Citigroup offers home finance in Malaysia
Citibank Bhd now offers a diminishing musharaka home financing co-ownership product where payments are broken into a rental share and a buyback share, which is used to increase the client's share of ownership in his house.
Interview with Anwar Ibrahim
There is an interview with Anwar Ibrahim on Islamic finance. He was recently announced as a speaker at the International Islamic Finance Forum (IIFF) in Dubai in April 2007 recently.
London Asia Capital plc, a British merchant banking group, is opening an Islamic finance division in Xinjiang, China in partnership with Xinjiang Investment Corp. The Xinjiang region is home to most of China's estimated 20 million Muslims. The Islamic finance division will offer credit guarantee services to Islamic and Shari'ah-compliant companies.
Lloyd's of London 'very interested' in takaful
Lloyd's of London, the U.K.-based insurance company, expressed continued interest in expanding to serve the takaful markets in the Middle East and Malaysia. Chairman Peter Levene said he believed that takaful "could be a much more acceptable way for individuals and corporations in that area to take out insurance, which they have been unable or unwilling to do in the past" and said Lloyds was "very interested" in entering takaful markets. In a press release from Lloyds on March 1st, Peter Levene expressed that Lloyds believed "there are some potentially strong business opportunities in the Retakaful [Islamic reinsurance] sector and that Lloyd's could become an attractive platform for capital providers wishing to invest in this area."
Citigroup offers home finance in Malaysia
Citibank Bhd now offers a diminishing musharaka home financing co-ownership product where payments are broken into a rental share and a buyback share, which is used to increase the client's share of ownership in his house.
Interview with Anwar Ibrahim
There is an interview with Anwar Ibrahim on Islamic finance. He was recently announced as a speaker at the International Islamic Finance Forum (IIFF) in Dubai in April 2007 recently.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Warehouse receipt finance & Saudi Electric sukuk
Commodity trade finance
The collateral management services manager Jeyaharan Thurairatnarasah of C&P Asia Sdn Bhd said Islamic banks in Malaysia can use warehouse receipt finance. "Jeyaharan said Islamic banks can introduce warehouse receipt financing as commodity finance is possible within Islamic banking structures and is not against syariah principle." Warehouse receipt finance is valuable for companies with large commodity inventories. The firm pledges the warehoused commodities as collateral for the loan.
Saudi Electric to issue sukuk
Saudi Electric Co. plans to issue up to $2.9 billion in sukuk over the next 15 years.
The collateral management services manager Jeyaharan Thurairatnarasah of C&P Asia Sdn Bhd said Islamic banks in Malaysia can use warehouse receipt finance. "Jeyaharan said Islamic banks can introduce warehouse receipt financing as commodity finance is possible within Islamic banking structures and is not against syariah principle." Warehouse receipt finance is valuable for companies with large commodity inventories. The firm pledges the warehoused commodities as collateral for the loan.
Saudi Electric to issue sukuk
Saudi Electric Co. plans to issue up to $2.9 billion in sukuk over the next 15 years.
Monday, March 12, 2007
RHB, KFH & EPF, Saudi takaful market, IIFF conference in Dubai and book review
EPF to sell part of RHB Capital
Malaysian state-run pension fund, Employees Provident Fund (EPF), will sell around 35 percent of RHB Capital but will keep its holdings in Rashid Hussain Bhd. The chief executive of the EPF Azlan Zainol, said 'hopefully' the EPF can work together with Kuwait Finance House (KFH) although 'for the time being', the EPF did not plan to sell a stake of RHB Capital to KFH. The managing director of KFH, Salman Younis, said they want to have equity participation in RHB Capital "should the EPF see synergies in partnering with KFH".
Anwar Ibrahim to speak at the Dubai IIFF
Former deputy prime minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, will speak at the International Islamic Finance Forum (IIFF) Dubai 2007 on expanding the process of assessing Shari'ah-compliance to include equity and distributive justice of Islamic financial products. The conference will be held April 2-5, 2007 in Dubai and is listed on the IHI conference listings.
Takaful grows in Saudi Arabia
The takaful market in Saudi Arabia will grow significantly with the opening of the market for takaful providers and the appointment of a Shari'ah Advisory Committee by the National Company for Cooperative Insurance (NCCI). Furthermore, AXA Group, the French insurance company, plans to enter the takaful market within the next year including the Saudi market.
Book review
The Hindu Business Times has a review of An Introduction to Islamic Finance: Theory and Practice by Zamir Iqbal and Abbas Mirakhor.
Malaysian state-run pension fund, Employees Provident Fund (EPF), will sell around 35 percent of RHB Capital but will keep its holdings in Rashid Hussain Bhd. The chief executive of the EPF Azlan Zainol, said 'hopefully' the EPF can work together with Kuwait Finance House (KFH) although 'for the time being', the EPF did not plan to sell a stake of RHB Capital to KFH. The managing director of KFH, Salman Younis, said they want to have equity participation in RHB Capital "should the EPF see synergies in partnering with KFH".
Anwar Ibrahim to speak at the Dubai IIFF
Former deputy prime minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, will speak at the International Islamic Finance Forum (IIFF) Dubai 2007 on expanding the process of assessing Shari'ah-compliance to include equity and distributive justice of Islamic financial products. The conference will be held April 2-5, 2007 in Dubai and is listed on the IHI conference listings.
Takaful grows in Saudi Arabia
The takaful market in Saudi Arabia will grow significantly with the opening of the market for takaful providers and the appointment of a Shari'ah Advisory Committee by the National Company for Cooperative Insurance (NCCI). Furthermore, AXA Group, the French insurance company, plans to enter the takaful market within the next year including the Saudi market.
Book review
The Hindu Business Times has a review of An Introduction to Islamic Finance: Theory and Practice by Zamir Iqbal and Abbas Mirakhor.
Friday, March 09, 2007
EPF will not manage RHB, Islamic finance in India
EPF will not manage RHB
The Malaysian state run pension fund, Employers Provident Fund (EPF), announced that it will not manage Rashid Hussain Bhd, in which it agreed to purchase a 32.8% stake from Utama Banking Group. The CEO of EPF, Datuk Azlan Zainol, announced that the EPF wants to leave the management of the company "to professional directors and professional management to oversee the running of the bank". This statement, along with the enthusiastic response by Kuwait Finance House suggest that Kuwait Finance House may be involved in managing the bank and the EPF may support KFH's desire to turn RHB into a mega Islamic bank.
Another article in the Business Times (Malaysia) described the problem EPF faces in finding enough assets to purchase with the funds it manages. It is prohibitted from investing outside Malaysia and the supply of government bonds has fallen as the government tries to balance the budget.
Indian Islamic equity
There continues to be a lot of debate about how to determine acceptable financial products for Muslims in India where there are only two Islamic financial services companies in the company and no Islamic banks.
The Malaysian state run pension fund, Employers Provident Fund (EPF), announced that it will not manage Rashid Hussain Bhd, in which it agreed to purchase a 32.8% stake from Utama Banking Group. The CEO of EPF, Datuk Azlan Zainol, announced that the EPF wants to leave the management of the company "to professional directors and professional management to oversee the running of the bank". This statement, along with the enthusiastic response by Kuwait Finance House suggest that Kuwait Finance House may be involved in managing the bank and the EPF may support KFH's desire to turn RHB into a mega Islamic bank.
Another article in the Business Times (Malaysia) described the problem EPF faces in finding enough assets to purchase with the funds it manages. It is prohibitted from investing outside Malaysia and the supply of government bonds has fallen as the government tries to balance the budget.
Indian Islamic equity
There continues to be a lot of debate about how to determine acceptable financial products for Muslims in India where there are only two Islamic financial services companies in the company and no Islamic banks.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Fitch - "Demystifying Corporate Sukuk"
The second Fitch report which was released recently, "Demystifying Corporate Sukuk" describes the underlying structure of sukuk.
One of the first things that I like about this article is that it provides a much more nuanced (and accurate, I think) description of riba and almost more importantly, the reasons for its prohibition. It seems to me that too many stories written about Islamic finance describe riba as 'interest' and gharar as 'risk' without explaining in more detail the nuances and the reasons for prohibition.
The rest of the report provides a brief description (and clear chart of a sukuk transaction) for ijara, mudaraba and musharaka sukuk.
As the earlier article describes, Fitch's views sukuk as asset-based securities equivalent in risk to senior unsecured obligations. One of the interesting and illuminating descriptions of Islamic finance and sukuk in particular describes how
This is a good analogy since the few court cases by companies trying to eliminate their debt by claiming the sukuk were not Shari'ah-compliant have not had their claim supported by the courts. These cases are the first few and the degree to which Shari'ah-compliance is legally enforceable through the contract.
One of the first things that I like about this article is that it provides a much more nuanced (and accurate, I think) description of riba and almost more importantly, the reasons for its prohibition. It seems to me that too many stories written about Islamic finance describe riba as 'interest' and gharar as 'risk' without explaining in more detail the nuances and the reasons for prohibition.
"Riba [...] is not necessarily about interest rates as such, but rather about unlawful, unequal gain [and[ the prohibition against riba is related to ethical norms and the establishment of a moral economy [...] The key concept to grasp when it comes to understanding the idea of the prohibition of riba, is that it is not acceptable for payment to be guaranteed regardless of the outcome for which the money was originally borrowed."
The rest of the report provides a brief description (and clear chart of a sukuk transaction) for ijara, mudaraba and musharaka sukuk.
As the earlier article describes, Fitch's views sukuk as asset-based securities equivalent in risk to senior unsecured obligations. One of the interesting and illuminating descriptions of Islamic finance and sukuk in particular describes how
"Fitch would tend to view Sukuk as similar to other 'ethical' bonds - such as those designed to comply with the needs and desires of environmental or other socially conscientious investors".
This is a good analogy since the few court cases by companies trying to eliminate their debt by claiming the sukuk were not Shari'ah-compliant have not had their claim supported by the courts. These cases are the first few and the degree to which Shari'ah-compliance is legally enforceable through the contract.
EPF wins Utama stake in RHB
Malaysian state pension fund, Employees Provident Fund (EPF), increased its offer for Utama Banking Group's 32.8% stake in Rashid Hussain Bhd (RHB) and will purchase also purchase the remaining shares of RHB and RHB Capital. The announcement was welcomed by Kuwait Finance House, which had also been competing for Utama's stake in RHB. The deal for EPF to purchase Utama's stake ends EON Capital's attempt to take over RHB. Statements from KFH suggest that the agreement will allow KFH to invest $4 billion in RHB and turn it into a large Islamic bank.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Islamic finance website for the U.K., no committee for Indian Islamic bank, EON Capital ups offer
Website launched on Shari'ah-compliant products in the U.K.
A new website was recently launched offering information about Islamic financial products in the U.K. The site, IslamicMortgages.co.uk. The site will offer specific information about different products (and advertising of these products) starting in July 2007. Currently the site is primarily a library of basic information about Islamic finance.
No decision on Indian Islamic bank
The discussion earlier this year about starting an Islamic bank in India has still not led to a committee forming to decide the feasibility of creating an Islamic bank in the country.
EON Capital ups offer for RHB
In a sign that the bidding war over Rashid Hussain Bhd could last much longer than it has already, EON Capital announced it was increasing its offer for RHB and RHB Capital. This announcement follows news yesterday that Employers Provident Fund, which owns 31 percent of RHB, entered the bidding for Utama Banking Group's 32.8 stake in RHB. The other company involved in the bidding is Kuwait Finance House which has made a bid for the Utama stake in RHB.
A new website was recently launched offering information about Islamic financial products in the U.K. The site, IslamicMortgages.co.uk. The site will offer specific information about different products (and advertising of these products) starting in July 2007. Currently the site is primarily a library of basic information about Islamic finance.
No decision on Indian Islamic bank
The discussion earlier this year about starting an Islamic bank in India has still not led to a committee forming to decide the feasibility of creating an Islamic bank in the country.
EON Capital ups offer for RHB
In a sign that the bidding war over Rashid Hussain Bhd could last much longer than it has already, EON Capital announced it was increasing its offer for RHB and RHB Capital. This announcement follows news yesterday that Employers Provident Fund, which owns 31 percent of RHB, entered the bidding for Utama Banking Group's 32.8 stake in RHB. The other company involved in the bidding is Kuwait Finance House which has made a bid for the Utama stake in RHB.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Fitch ratings methodology for sukuk
Fitch Ratings released several documents relating to Islamic finance and banking, which I am reading and summarizing. The first one is titled "Fitch's Approach to Rating Sukuk".
One of the first things to strike me in this article is the skepticism of Fitch Ratings towards sukuk being asset-based, secured borrowing. "Depending on the precise structure of the bond, the rating may be linked to the rating of the originator of the transaction or to the underlying assets if the bond satisfies the agency’s requirements for a true securitisation." It appears that the way Fitch's approaches the ratings process is to use the originator's rating as a default (or possibly lower if the originators have more preferential creditors than the sukuk holders) unless the originator demonstrates that the sukuk is a "true securitisation". Fitch's defines true securitization by laying down why most sukuk are not securitized:
In the event of a default, sukuk holders would not have any higher claim on the assets backing the sukuk than other unsecured creditors and therefore the sukuk does not display the asset-based nature it claims. In some instances, the payments stream may not fluctuate, "The originator may provide a liquidity facility to match receipts to the contractual periodic distributions and eliminate any volitility in the cash flows deriving from the asset".
Even the ratings methodology, which bases sukuk ratings on the originator rating in most cases (treating the sukuk as a form of unsecured lending and not an asset-based certificate based on risk sharing) does not fully address potentially hidden risks involving the sukuk's Shari'ah-compliance.
At the end of the article, Fitch describes what sukuk lack that keep them from being classified as securitized directly (they have never reviewed a sukuk transaction that would meet these criteria: "In order to achieve a real securitisation, the transaction should [...] represent a true sale, ie the underlying collateral has been validly transferred to the SPV [...] In the event of the insolvency of the originator [...] the underlying collateral must remain completely separate from the assets of the originator/parent company [and sukuk] investors should have first priority over the underlying collateral."
The lack of sukuk issues meeting Fitch's requirements for securitization presents a difficulty for the sukuk markets, who claim that the product they trade is asset-based. Without meeting the criteria set down by Fitch's (or other similar criteria), sukuk are not asset-based in a meaningful, legally-enforceable way nor are most sukuk truly based on risk sharing between the originator and the investors.
One of the first things to strike me in this article is the skepticism of Fitch Ratings towards sukuk being asset-based, secured borrowing. "Depending on the precise structure of the bond, the rating may be linked to the rating of the originator of the transaction or to the underlying assets if the bond satisfies the agency’s requirements for a true securitisation." It appears that the way Fitch's approaches the ratings process is to use the originator's rating as a default (or possibly lower if the originators have more preferential creditors than the sukuk holders) unless the originator demonstrates that the sukuk is a "true securitisation". Fitch's defines true securitization by laying down why most sukuk are not securitized:
"Unlike a true securitisation, the investors do not have any recourse to the underlying assets in the event of default. Default accelerates the purchase undertaking, which, if not fulfilled, would trigger a claim by the investors against the originator. This would be immediately due and payable, and would be pursued through the commercial courts. The assets within the Sukuk would be available for all senior unsecured credits of the originator, and the investors would ordinarily rank as senior unsecured creditors of the originator. They would rank pari passu with other senior unsecured creditors, except for any preferential creditors as determined by local law."
In the event of a default, sukuk holders would not have any higher claim on the assets backing the sukuk than other unsecured creditors and therefore the sukuk does not display the asset-based nature it claims. In some instances, the payments stream may not fluctuate, "The originator may provide a liquidity facility to match receipts to the contractual periodic distributions and eliminate any volitility in the cash flows deriving from the asset".
Even the ratings methodology, which bases sukuk ratings on the originator rating in most cases (treating the sukuk as a form of unsecured lending and not an asset-based certificate based on risk sharing) does not fully address potentially hidden risks involving the sukuk's Shari'ah-compliance.
At the end of the article, Fitch describes what sukuk lack that keep them from being classified as securitized directly (they have never reviewed a sukuk transaction that would meet these criteria: "In order to achieve a real securitisation, the transaction should [...] represent a true sale, ie the underlying collateral has been validly transferred to the SPV [...] In the event of the insolvency of the originator [...] the underlying collateral must remain completely separate from the assets of the originator/parent company [and sukuk] investors should have first priority over the underlying collateral."
The lack of sukuk issues meeting Fitch's requirements for securitization presents a difficulty for the sukuk markets, who claim that the product they trade is asset-based. Without meeting the criteria set down by Fitch's (or other similar criteria), sukuk are not asset-based in a meaningful, legally-enforceable way nor are most sukuk truly based on risk sharing between the originator and the investors.
Amlak Finance to open in Egypt
Amlak Finance, the subsidiary of Dubai-based Emaar Properties will open a home finance firm in Egypt to capitalize on an estimated 1.5 percent growth in the property market and a 145,000 house per year shortfall.
EPF makes offer for RHB stake, Abu Dhabi starts Islamic bank, Singapore attracts Middle Eastern banks
EPF enters battle for RHB
Utama Banking Group announced that the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) offered RM2.2 billion (US$636 million) for Utama's 32.8% stake in Rashid Hussain Bhd (RHB), which slightly tops the Kuwait Finance House offer of RM2.16 billion (US$615 million) for the same stake in RHB. If Utama Banking Group accepts the EPF offer, the Fund will extend the same offer to all other shareholders of RHB, as well as offer RM4.80 (US$1.37) per share of RHB Capital.
Abu Dhabi to start $1 billion Islamic bank
The Government of Abu Dhabi announced plans to start a $1.1 billion Islamic bank called Al Hilal Bank.
Singapore attracts Middle Eastern Banks
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong announced that eight Middle Eastern banks have opened branches in Singapore. He was speaking at the Singapore International Waqf conference.
Utama Banking Group announced that the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) offered RM2.2 billion (US$636 million) for Utama's 32.8% stake in Rashid Hussain Bhd (RHB), which slightly tops the Kuwait Finance House offer of RM2.16 billion (US$615 million) for the same stake in RHB. If Utama Banking Group accepts the EPF offer, the Fund will extend the same offer to all other shareholders of RHB, as well as offer RM4.80 (US$1.37) per share of RHB Capital.
Abu Dhabi to start $1 billion Islamic bank
The Government of Abu Dhabi announced plans to start a $1.1 billion Islamic bank called Al Hilal Bank.
Singapore attracts Middle Eastern Banks
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong announced that eight Middle Eastern banks have opened branches in Singapore. He was speaking at the Singapore International Waqf conference.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Fitch Ratings for Islamic banking & sukuk, Islamic banking growth & Dubai Bank's new product
Fitch announces new ratings methodology for Islamic banks and sukuk
Fitch Ratings, which has an office in Dubai, believes the ratings issues are similar between Islamic banking & sukuk, although there are significant differences in some risks. Mark Young, Managing Director of Fitch Financial Institutions in London said this could involve "closer analysis of each bank's risk management processes, funding and liquidity position, legal issues, regulatory oversight, transparency, accounting standards and corporate governance practices."
I will review these documents and provide a more detailed summary later in the day.
Islamic banking sees significant growth-Kuwaiti Central Bank governor
The Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, believes that Islamic banking is on the cusp of significant growth, having captured 26 percent of the market within Kuwait. He was speaking at the International Conference for Islamic Finance & Investment.
Dubai Bank offers 'Sanad' product
Dubai Bank announced the launch of its 'Sanad' product, which will "meet [customers'] diverse personal finance needs" and allow them to move outstanding liabilities with other banks into a Shari'ah-compliant debt program.
Fitch Ratings, which has an office in Dubai, believes the ratings issues are similar between Islamic banking & sukuk, although there are significant differences in some risks. Mark Young, Managing Director of Fitch Financial Institutions in London said this could involve "closer analysis of each bank's risk management processes, funding and liquidity position, legal issues, regulatory oversight, transparency, accounting standards and corporate governance practices."
I will review these documents and provide a more detailed summary later in the day.
Islamic banking sees significant growth-Kuwaiti Central Bank governor
The Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, believes that Islamic banking is on the cusp of significant growth, having captured 26 percent of the market within Kuwait. He was speaking at the International Conference for Islamic Finance & Investment.
Dubai Bank offers 'Sanad' product
Dubai Bank announced the launch of its 'Sanad' product, which will "meet [customers'] diverse personal finance needs" and allow them to move outstanding liabilities with other banks into a Shari'ah-compliant debt program.
Friday, March 02, 2007
RHB decision delayed, Lloyds opens in Labuan, MIFC licenses International Islamic Banks
Decision delayed for RHB & RHB Capital
Both Kuwait Finance House and EON Capital say they will have to wait for a decision by Rashid Hussain Bhd (RHB) over their respective offers. KFH Managing Director Salman Younis said negotiations are still ongoing and should be completed within 10 days. EON Capital will allow RHB to have until March 9 to make a decision on the EON offer for RHB Capital.
KFH made its original offer on February 6 and EON Capital followed with its offer on February 7.
Lloyd's opens Labuan office, plans retakaful
The large insurer Lloyd's of London opened an offshore office in Labuan after receiving approval from the Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority. The insurer plans to offer retakaful (Islamic reinsurance) in the near future according to chairman Lord Peter Levene.
MIFC to license International Islamic Banks and extend full tax exemption for 10 years
The International Islamic Banks will be able to offer foreign-currency denominated products under a Malaysian International Financial Centre (MIFC) initiative where Islamic financial instutions set up an "International Currency Business Unit", which is fully exempt from taxation for 10 years. Foreign banks are being invited to open Islamic banks within the country in moves designed to solidify Malaysia's role as an Islamic finance hub.
Both Kuwait Finance House and EON Capital say they will have to wait for a decision by Rashid Hussain Bhd (RHB) over their respective offers. KFH Managing Director Salman Younis said negotiations are still ongoing and should be completed within 10 days. EON Capital will allow RHB to have until March 9 to make a decision on the EON offer for RHB Capital.
KFH made its original offer on February 6 and EON Capital followed with its offer on February 7.
Lloyd's opens Labuan office, plans retakaful
The large insurer Lloyd's of London opened an offshore office in Labuan after receiving approval from the Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority. The insurer plans to offer retakaful (Islamic reinsurance) in the near future according to chairman Lord Peter Levene.
MIFC to license International Islamic Banks and extend full tax exemption for 10 years
The International Islamic Banks will be able to offer foreign-currency denominated products under a Malaysian International Financial Centre (MIFC) initiative where Islamic financial instutions set up an "International Currency Business Unit", which is fully exempt from taxation for 10 years. Foreign banks are being invited to open Islamic banks within the country in moves designed to solidify Malaysia's role as an Islamic finance hub.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Islamic finance EMBA, GIFF 2007, Islamic banking in Botswana
Islamic finance Executive MBA
Although I have already mentioned that Cass Business school will offer classes in Islamic finance, I wanted to link to an article on CNN.com. I was encouraged to see recognition that "Muslims also believe that investing should be socially responsible." The recognition that Islamic finance and investing is at its heart a type of ethical investing will increase its appeal among Muslims and also provide an easy way to draw non-Muslims into the industry.
Islamic finance in Botswana
The First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) announced it will offer Shari'ah-compliant products in addition to its conventional banking products. According to the article, 15,000-20,000 Muslims live in Botswana out of a total population of 1.6 million, although other estimates of the Muslim population range from 3,000 to 75,000.
Global Islamic Finance Forum 2007
Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysia's central bank, will host a four-day conference centered around the Islamic Financial Services Board annual meeting. The keynote address at the conference, held from March 26 - 29, 2007, is from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Malaysian Prime Minister.
This conference is one of many included in the Institute of Halal Investing list of conferences.
Emirates Bank enters Asia through Singapore
Emirati Islamic bank, Emirates Bank plans to expand into the Asia/Pacific region through Singapore. The branch has been open since November, but the formal opening will occur this week.
CORRECTION
Yesterday, I mistakenly said that Syed Tariq Hussain was chairman of Emirates Islamic Bank and Emirates Global Islamic Bank Ltd. He is only chairman of Emirates Global Islamic Bank Ltd.
Although I have already mentioned that Cass Business school will offer classes in Islamic finance, I wanted to link to an article on CNN.com. I was encouraged to see recognition that "Muslims also believe that investing should be socially responsible." The recognition that Islamic finance and investing is at its heart a type of ethical investing will increase its appeal among Muslims and also provide an easy way to draw non-Muslims into the industry.
Islamic finance in Botswana
The First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) announced it will offer Shari'ah-compliant products in addition to its conventional banking products. According to the article, 15,000-20,000 Muslims live in Botswana out of a total population of 1.6 million, although other estimates of the Muslim population range from 3,000 to 75,000.
Global Islamic Finance Forum 2007
Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysia's central bank, will host a four-day conference centered around the Islamic Financial Services Board annual meeting. The keynote address at the conference, held from March 26 - 29, 2007, is from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Malaysian Prime Minister.
This conference is one of many included in the Institute of Halal Investing list of conferences.
Emirates Bank enters Asia through Singapore
Emirati Islamic bank, Emirates Bank plans to expand into the Asia/Pacific region through Singapore. The branch has been open since November, but the formal opening will occur this week.
CORRECTION
Yesterday, I mistakenly said that Syed Tariq Hussain was chairman of Emirates Islamic Bank and Emirates Global Islamic Bank Ltd. He is only chairman of Emirates Global Islamic Bank Ltd.
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