Prospects and Problems of Islamic Banking from Bank's Perspective: A Study of Bangladesh

This paper focuses on the prospect and growth potentials of Islamic banks in Bangladesh as perceived by Islamic and conventional bankers. The study noted that there is a high demand for interest-free banking services from a segment of people in Bangladesh who have a strong desire to abide by the rules and principals set by Shariah. Along with religious requirement, economic exigencies provide a new outlook to the role of banking in promoting investment/ productive activities, influencing distribution of income and adding stability to the economy. The Islamic banking sector is, however, criticized on several grounds by the Conventional bankers. The banks are believed not to apply the rules of Shariah completely. Islamic banks are said to include interest in their dealings to compete effectively with the Conventional banks. Moreover, conventional banks offering Islamic banking as a parallel service are thought to do so only to add to their profitability, by attracting people who value th