Introduction

Banking plays an important role in the economy of any country. In Bangladesh

Muslim holds the majority of the population. Though, no Islamic banking but only
traditional banking system was developed here till 1983. However, interest is
absolutely prohibited in Islam. The main aim of traditional banking is to earn
profit by borrowing and lending money in exchange of interest. As a result there is
an unfair competition among the bankers and among the customers. The people
of this country are profoundly committed to Islamic way of life as enshrined in the
holy “Quran and the Sunnah”. Naturally, it remains deep in their hearts to fashion
and design their economic lives in accordance with the precepts of Islam.

The establishment of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited on March 13, 1983, is the
true reflection of this inner urge of its people, which started functioning with
erect from March 30, 1983. Now, a question may arise- „what is Islami Banking?‟
According to OIC- “Islamic bank is a financial institution whose status, rules and
procedures expressly state its commitment to the principle of Islamic Shariah and
to the banning of the receipt and payment of interest on any of its operations.”

Origin of the Islamic banking in bangladesh-

In 1974, Bangladesh signed the Charter of Islamic Development Bank and
committed itself to reorganise its economic and financial system as per Islamic
Shariah. In 1978, Bangladesh recommended in Islamic Foreign Minister
Conference in Senegal towards systematic efforts to Islamic Banking. In 1980,
Foreign Minister Conference in Pakistan where Bangladesh Foreign Minister Prof.
Shamsul Hoq, proposed for taking steps for Islamic Banking. Further, Bangladesh
Bank sent representation abroad to study Islamic Banking System.

In 1981, President of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh addressed the 3rd

Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah and Taif suggested, ''The Islamic
countries should develop a separate banking system of their own in order to
facilitate their trade and commerce. ''In 1982, IDB visited Bangladesh for study.
They found contributions done by Islamic Economics Research Bureau (IERB) and
Bangladesh Islamic Bankers Association (BIBA); they mobilized the seminars,
public opinion through symposia & workshop. Professional activities reinforced by
Muslim Businessman Society (now reorganized as Industrialists and Businessman
Association). The body mobilized mainly equity capital for emerging Islamic Bank.
Finally, in 1983 Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) came out to take the
challenge of doing banking business.

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) is considered to be the first interest free
bank in Southeast Asia. It was incorporated on 13-03-1983 as a Public Company
with limited liability under the companies Act 1913. The bank began operations
on March 30th , 1983, with major share by the foreign entrepreneurs. IBBL is a
joint venture multinational Bank with 63.92% of equity being contributed by the
Islamic Development Bank and financial institutions. The total number of
branches in 2016 stood at 349. Now the authorized capital of the bank is Tk.
20,000 million and Paid op capital is Tk. 16099.91 million.

Development and growth of Islamic banking in Bangladesh-

At the end of March 2019, Bangladesh’s 8 full-fledged Islamic banks are operating
with 1198 branches out of total 10387 branches of the whole banking industry
having 59 scheduled banks. In addition, 19 Islamic banking branches of 9
conventional commercial banks and 35 Islamic banking windows of 7
conventional commercial banks are also providing Islamic financial services in
Bangladesh. At the end of the January ,March 2019 quarter, deposits and
investments grew by 2.0% and 2.76% respectively, but remittance and excess
liquidity of Islamic banking industry reduced by 36.24% and 41.85% respectively
compared to the previous quarter. Islamic banking industry holds almost one-
fourth share of the entire banking industry.

Islamic Banking Sector in Bangladesh, January-March 2019 Highlights-

Total Deposits-Total Deposits in Islamic banking industry reached at Tk. 242118.80

crores at the end of January-March 2019 quarter, which increased by Tk. 4751.89
crores.
Total Investments-Total Investments (Loans in conventional sense) in Islamic
banking sector stood at Tk. 237279.20 crores at the end of January- March 2019
quarter, which went up by Tk. 6371.92 crores.

Investment Deposit Ratio- During the current quarter Investment-Deposit Ratio

(Credit-Deposit Ratio in conventional sense) stood at 0.98 which was 0.97 at the
end of December 2018.

Total Remittances- Total Remittances mobilized by the Islamic banking sector

stood at Tk. 8337.75 crores at the end of January- March 2019 quarter, which was
lower by Tk. 4738.06 crores or by 36.24% and by Tk. 702.22 crores or by 7.77%
compared to the previous quarter and the same quarter of the previous year
respectively.

Branches- The number of Branches of Islamic banking sector including Islamic

branches/windows of conventional commercial banks reached at 1252 at the end
of the quarter under review which was 1241 during the previous quarter and
1181 during the same quarter of the last year.

Manpower -Total employment in the Islamic banking sector stood at 34128 at the
end of March 2019 from 33027 at the end of December 2018