IB's online concept and content challenge

Islamic banking portals, many still under construction, are attracting serious investment, suggesting confidence in the Islamic finance sector. Caution is advised, however, given the history of failed Internet and .com ventures. The new B2B and B2C portals are mostly targeting Islamic financial information or the marketing of financial products. Though they acknowledge products are not numerous and regulation needs resolving, promoters are optimistic that the Internet will make financial products accessible to both institutional and retail investors now unaware or out of reach of them. Others claim the portals are too advanced for the market, and that security issues make online investing unattractive. One concern is the number of hit-and-run promotions, which could damage the industry for decades, as well as cases of doubtful Shariah compliance. Western chauvinism is also considered out of place. Greater specialization is advised, and sites attempting to combine financial informati