Challenges of Introducing Islamic Banking to the Global Financial Market

Abstract

In November 2015, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decided to add Islamic finance to its monitoring of financial sectors around the world. The IMF traditionally has focused on conventional banking but recently it has become interested in Islamic banking and finance due to its phenomenal growth. Islamic banking assets exceed $2 trillion globally. This decision of the IMF has brought tremendous opportunity for Islamic banking constituents all over the world. However, many practitioners and supervisory authorities may not be aware of the fundamental differences between Islamic and conventional banking. This paper attempts to identify the major differences between the Conventional and Islamic Banking, and discuss the challenges of integrating Islamic banking and finance into the global financial markets.