Why Islamic Banking

What is Islamic Banking?

Islamic Banking is a system of banking that is in accordance with the spirit, character and value system of Islam and is guided by Shari'ah principles. Central to this form of banking is that money itself has no intrinsic value and can not increase on its own. In order to increase money must be used in a productive manner, so invest in real goods. Creating money from money alone is prohibited, therefore interest is not allowed.

 

WeLFARE through legitimate trade and investment in assets

The most important resource for Islamic Banking & Finance to obtain capital growth is based on legitimate trade. The money is used to buy and sell real goods or services. It is essential that risks are involved in every trading activity. All profits related to the trade are divided between the person who provides the capital and / or the expertise. This profit sharing is based on the risk and profit sharing agreement between bank and customer. The Shari'ah prescribes that parties are only entitled to profit sharing if they are willing to bear the risks.

 

•  SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS

For saving and investing, the rule applies that the bank works with the capital and invests in various legitimate sectors / projects. The profits generated from the investments are divided between customer and bank as agreed. In other words, the saver or investor receives the earnings according to the ratio on their savings balances or investments.

From the experience and the forecasted profits, the expected profit margin can therefore be indicated in advance in the form of a return percentage.

 

Islamic Banking is based on trade, partnership, lease / lease agreements.

 

•  FINANCING

Financing at an Islamic Bank is contractually recorded. For housing, vehicle, parcel, equipment, etc., the rule applies that the bank purchases the product, on request, for the benefit of the applicant. The product is bought by the bank of the initial owner in cash and then resold to the applicant. The applicant repays the bank in installments, in accordance with the conditions.

The amount to be repaid, also called contract price, is raised in accordance with the trading opportunities that Islamic Banking & Finance offers. Contract price means the total of the cost price, the profit and the additional costs to be paid by the customer, in accordance with the financing contract.

 

The markup for financing means:

• A compensation for the market risk on the goods that the bank runs.
• A compensation for the credit risk.
• Administration and / or insurance costs.

 

An Islamic bank therefore does not work on the basis of interest to generate income, but on the basis of profit according to permitted trade agreements. This profit can be expressed in percentages, but it is not interest. The difference with an Islamic bank is that the contract price may not be changed by the bank afterwards. Unless in a lease contract that date, the lease amount may be changed.

 

•  PARTNERSHIP

An Islamic bank is an alternative for small and medium enterprises. The bank offers opportunities to start the business together with the client, whereby both the generated profits and the risks are shared by both parties. In other words, the bank also guarantees the risks that may occur at the company.

To expand the company, the bank also offers opportunities for cooperation. It is the intention that the entrepreneur becomes an independent entrepreneur by offering him the opportunity to take over the shares of the bank until he owns it all.

 

•  LEASE/RENT

Is an agreement whereby the lessor leases vehicle, equipment, construction or other facilities to a client at an agreed rental price or costs, as agreed by both parties. When renting or leasing the lessor (bank) remains the owner of the property, only the right to use is transferred to the lessee (client). The risks belong to the person in whose hands the property right (customer or bank) is,  as agreed in the agreement.

The lease agreement ends after the end of the lease period and can be transferred properly as gift to the lessee who is then designated as the new owner.

 

Preconditions: Projects and whether companies related to drugs, porn, alcohol, weapon trade, gambling and trade in animal species such as pigs are not eligible for funding.

The Benefits of Islamic Banking

• Based on real assets.
• Profit & Loss Sharing.
• Partnership in company, Joint Venture.
• Promote financial justice.
• Development based on useful things for people and nature.

Islamic Banking in Suriname

Trustbank Amanah, together with its international partner  Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), will offer financing capital to the private sector for the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It concerns financial services in which prosperity, equality and partnership between entrepreneur and bank are the ultimate goals of development-oriented initiatives.

 MSMEs are crucial for the economic and social development of emerging markets. They play an important role in economies: creating jobs and generating income, promoting economic growth, social stability and contributing to the development of a dynamic private sector.

 Access to financial services is essential in developing a dynamic MSME sector in every economy. As a result of a number of factors including limited access to financing, Trustbank Amanah wants to use Islamic Finance to stimulate development.

 The transformation from Trustbank (conventional) to Trustbank Amanah (Islamic banking) takes place in 2 phases:

• At the transition (1st phase) we offer options such as savings, investments and loans.
• The second phase involves expanding the possibilities to complete the service, whereby products and services such as current account, internet banking, credit cards etc. are offered.