Recent trend of deposits in Islamic banks

Davidia Zucchelli

doi:10.13135/2421-2172/6260

Davidia Zucchelli Intesasanpaolo

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13135/2421-2172/6260

Keywords: Bank deposit, Islamic finance, Islamic banks

Abstract

Bank deposits increased sharply in 2020, continuing in 2021, in countries with advanced economies and emerging countries alike. The pandemic caused savings to increase for precautionary reasons. At the same time, the lockdown compressed spending, but deposits are now a financial resource that could be used to boost the recovery of consumption and investments. There was an increase in deposits in Islamic countries, but this was less marked. The fall in GDP in 2020 in all of the Islamic countries considered, with the sole exception of Bangladesh (+5%), was met with an increase in deposits, but not such as to be thought of exceptional magnitude. An acceleration was recorded in Indonesia, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, with increases only moderately higher than in the previous year. Several drivers can explain this trend, some of which are attributable to Islamic principles. In assessing the role of Islamic finance and bank deposits, financial inclusion is also critical. Despite gradually increasing, the level of financial inclusion, which is high in countries with the highest income (the Gulf countries), shows a large margin for potential growth. Especially in the less rich Islamic countries, there exists a problem of mobilising resources and providing a custody function for the financial resources of households and businesses. The proliferation of fintech channels, primarily through mobile phones, can contribute significantly to financial inclusion, particularly among young people. Prospects are positive thanks to the confluence of some factors (such as the strong demand for both Sharia-compliant and ESG products).

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