COVID-19 on Performance of Islamic Banks in Fintech and Digitalization Era

Abstract

This study attempts to provide insight on risk and opportunities for Islamic banks arising from COVID-19 pandemic by using document analysis approach. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased banking risk. The paper emphasizes the impact of the crisis on credit risk as historically thought as the most significant risk driver. Increased credit risk in Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) is due to broad-based deterioration of economic conditions affecting multiple sectors, resulting in a general increase of non-performing financing (NPF) balances and charge-offs. Further, it was found that banks have suffered more not only relative to other sectors, but also in comparison with previous crises. In addition, some authors observe that banks that had entered the crisis with the highest level of credit risk, measured in terms of credit default swap (CDS) spreads rise, were most hit. On the other hand, the pandemic has proved beyond doubt the value of digital services that minimize or eliminate direct human contact. The power of digitalization can facilitate outreach to even the most vulnerable population. Islamic financial institutions may seize this opportunity to expedite the digitalization of their operations either using their own resource or by joint venturing with technology companies.