Finding New Niches. Catering for the financial needs of Muslim communities. Mahir Momand

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1 Finding New Niches Catering for the financial needs of Muslim communities Mahir Momand

2 Overview of Islamic Communities in Australia There are nearly ½ million people of Muslim faith in Australia Grew 7% annually, far in excess of 1.3% for the general population Concentrated in two main centres; greater Sydney and greater Melbourne (78%) However, there are still around 120,000 Muslims outside of NSW and Victoria No ADIs currently providing Islamic financial services to this rapidly growing community 2

3 Context Financing in Islam Mainstream Financial Institutions (FIs) based on interest Islam strictly prohibits interest, thus Muslims: Avoid engaging with FIs that only offer interest-based services Create a large group of financially excluded people/underserved Additional Islamic principles governing financing are: Not financing businesses that are harmful to the community Avoiding speculation when doing business Promoting tangible assets-based transactions, and Sharing profit and losses in some cases 3

4 So how do Muslims manage their financial needs currently? Basic level financial activity (e.g. having a bank account) Islam allows using non-halal (non-permissible) options in extreme need Strictly practicing, practicing and non-practicing followers MCCA, a non-adi has been providing Islamic finance products since 1989 Many Australian Muslims have been living in Australia for decades and yet don t own property in order to avoid paying interest 4

5 Is it possible not to charge interest and still make money? Yes! E.g. buy property at X and sell to customer at X+Y (Y being the profit) a fixed sum of money that will be paid in future It is selling tangible items such as property Mainstream FIs sell access to money and make more on top In Islam, money has a specific definition (i.e. only means of exchange) and has no intrinsic value in itself 5

6 Opportunity for Mutuals Mutuals have upper hand to cater to this market: they are ADIs, mainstream FIs Untapped market, very attractive business, long term perspectives Cooperation Islamic Finance Ethical Integrity Social Responsibility Investor Education Transparency Fairness Australian Mutuals 6

7 Opportunity for Mutuals - continued 7

8 Opportunity for Mutuals - Continued Retail Trade Health Care and Social Assistance Manufacturing Transport, Postal and Warehousing Accommodation and Food Services Construction Professional, Scientific and Technical Education and Training Public Administration and Safety Financial and Insurance Services Administrative and Support Services Wholesale Trade Other Services Information Media and Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Mining Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Arts and Recreation Services Muslim Workforce by Industry 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% Source: ABS Census

9 COBA s Islamic Finance Project PHASE I Start up Demographic Data Current Market Review PHASE II Demand Analysis Financial Modelling PHASE III Development Appropriate product identification Product development guidelines Identification & coordination of resources PHASE IV Approval Implementation Product review including submission for approval to ASIC/APRA Submission to Mufti for Islamic endorsement (i.e. Fatwa) Pilot Phase & Soft launch of products Work with engaged Mutuals to develop marketing material Training of Mutual staff on new products

10 Key Progress Legal engagement Ensure products are in line with Australian Laws & sign off Ready ASIC/APRA/Mufti Provide approval and endorsement of the products Partially Ready Technology providers Ensure modules can be developed to support ICFS Partially Ready Mutual sector support Pioneer and experiment this whole new initiative Partially Ready

11 Why should COBA members offer ICFS? Makes business sense Halal Town, MCCA, Islamic Bank of Australia (Demand) It is for everyone, both Muslims and non-muslims (Ethical) Government very supportive, double tax stamp duty abolished in VIC, NSW to follow soon Competitive advantage over banks 1 loan a month, break even Year 1 11

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