register now
get brochure
sponsors
add event to diary
email this to...
contact us
look back at 2007

  • 200+ participants 
  • 14+ countries represented
  • 50+ international speakers
  • 2 in-depth pre-conference workshops
› testimonials
our speakers
Speaker photo
Sheikh Nizam Yaquby
Shariah Scholar
Bahrain
 Speaker photo
Naveed Kahn
Managing Director
ABC Islamic Bank
Speaker photo
Rushdi Siddiqui
Global Director - Islamic Financial Market Index
Dow Jones
Speaker photo 
David Testa
Chief Executive Officer
Gatehouse Capital PLC
conference details
Workshops:

Pre-conference workshop: 
May 19, 2008

Retail foucs day:
May 20, 2008

Conference:
Day 1
May 21, 2008, 8.30am - 5:30pm
Day 2
May 22, 2008, 8.30am - 5:30pm

› find out more
› add this to my calendar

Register online now
or call +1 212 379 6320
 
Islamic Finance Global Survey Findings
 
In preparation for Islamic Finance World North America 2008, our research team at Terrapinn surveyed over 2000 global finance professionals to try to fully understand the scope and opportunities in the Islamic finance market. This is what we learned:
  • 56% of respondents represent a service provider (investment bank, retail bank, fund manager, legal, technology)
  • 33% Investment Banks
  • 33% Fund managers
  • 22% Retail Banks
  • 11% Advisors/consultants

Another 13% were end investors, with 30% coming from other related categories. Of the investors:

  • 66% were from investment banks
  • 16% were from endowment/charities
  • 16% are wealth managers

72% of respondents stated that their companies market Shariah compliant financial products.

  • 57.1% Real Estate
  • 50% Leasing/financing
  • 35.7 % Retail products
  • 28.6 % Sukuk
  • 14.3 % Indexes
  • 14.3% Insurance/takaful
  • 7.1% mutual funds

Over half of those polled work for a company that is currently investing in Shariah compliant products.

  • Companies that are currently investing in Shariah compliant products are doing so for the following reasons.
    - Religious reasons: 87.5%
    - Ethical reasons: 37.5 %
    - Attractive/competitive risk profile: 25%
    - Attractive/competitive returns: 25%
    - Portfolio diversification: 12.5% 
  • They are currently investing in:
    - Shariah compliant REITS or Real Estate: 70%
    - Sukuk: 40 %
    - Private Equity: 40%
    - Shariah compliant hedge funds: 20%
    - Shariah compliant mutual funds: 20%
  • 44% of respondents have 60% - 100% of their portfolio invested in Shariah compliant products.
  • Overall 66.7% prefer Islamic retail banks as their service provider for Shariah compliant products, Investment banks with knowledge of Shriah came in second.
  • The most important factor when choosing a Shariah compliant solution provider is the reputation of the institution.

The main reason for not investing in Shariah compliant products is that companies are unaware of opportunities available to them.

Of the 22% of respondents that are planning on investing in Shariah compliant products in the next 6-18 months:

  • 77% are looking to invest in Shariah complaint REITS or real estate, with sukuks coming in second.
  • When seeking investment advice they plan to look towards Shariah scholars and law firms with knowledge of Shariah.
  • 70% of respondents perceive religious reasons as the primary benefit of investing in Shariah compliant products.

Most respondents perceive innovating Shariah complaint products to be the biggest challenge for Islamic 2008, and feel that Sukuks will be the biggest growth area.