Risk management for Islamic bank: resent developments form Asia and the Middle East.

Abstract

The Islamic bank is a financial institution that is established and managed under the principles of Islamic syari'ah and is universal in its practices in improving welfare for mankind. Right now, the Islamic bank is growing and developing rapidly. Even so, as time passes, the risk and challenges faced by the Islamic bank will become more complex and extensive; thus, the future of the Islamic bank is highly reliant on its abilities to anticipate changes in the financial world; such as the effects of globalization, the chain reaction of effects that can take place when a crisis occurs, and the rapid development of information technology. The financial sector is also more dynamic, competitive, and complex; and often creates a new risk in the financial system, such as the too-connected-to-fail risk or the displaced commercial risk. In performing various financial functions and services, the Islamic bank will certainly face various risks, both financial as well as nonfinancial. The bank should be able to manage various risks faced well, without reducing or sacrificing performance, service quality, operational ease, or targets set by the bank's owners. If the bank is able to manage risk appropriately, then not only will the bank avoid the more obvious risks, but the Islamic bank can also change that risk into a business opportunity that can generate profit for the bank.