Cambridge: Cambridge IF Analytica, a UK-based think tank for financial services, has finalised agenda for its inaugural Islamic Retail Banking Symposium to be held on November 14, 2017, at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai. The Symposium will be a rendezvous of high-powered executives to discuss matters of paramount importance facing Islamic retail banking. Thought leaders who are expected to attend the Symposium include CEOs of Islamic banks, regulators, and other industry stakeholders.

The 2017 Symposium will focus on challenges and opportunities in the fast-changing environment in terms of regulatory developments, technological innovations in the form of FinTech, and general public perceptions about Islamic retail banking. The Symposium will also focus on the limits to growth of Islamic retail banking and the means through which the growth momentum may be maintained.

Aimed to bring about 50+ thought leaders, this unique annual event is poised to become a platform for formation of new Islamic retail strategies on an individual level and Islamic retail banking policy on the national and international levels. Key industry thinkers and doers will meet to debate the importance of new strategies, business practices and partnerships in the industry to meet the ever-increasing challenges facing the Islamic retail banking space.

Amongst issues to be discussed during the Symposium include:

  • What is holding Islamic banks back from achieving total digitisation?

  • What are the key components to implementing a culture of digital innovation?

  • How are Islamic banks responding to customer demands for instant and digital services?

  • What is a digital culture? How to effectively implement digital culture in banking?

  • What can be done to equip staff with the necessary skill set to better serve customers in the digital age?

Furthermore, a High-powered CEO Session will consider how to drive innovation and growth in the current environment. The following questions will be answered and analysed in detail:

  • How is regulation driving the change in the industry practices?

  • What is the future of banking? More digital or more personal?

  • How are banks responding to changing consumer behaviour?

  • Banking in 2025: What will the industry look like?

  •  What are some key industry disruptors in the next 3 years?

The speakers include Dato’ Wan Fadzmi Wan Othman (former CEO of Agrobank Malaysia), Iyad Asali (General Manager of Islamic International Arab Bank Jordan), Khaled Al Kayed (CEO of Bank Nizwa Oman), Muhammad Ikram Thowfeek (Founder of MIT Global), Mian Muhammad Nazir (CEO of Dar Al Sharia, UAE) and industry leaders from Pakistan, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kenya, Nigeria, Malaysia and Sudan.

“The 2017 Symposium will be the start of an international debate on the future path of Islamic retail banking,” said Professor Humayon Dar, Executive Chairman of Cambridge IF Analytica. “[The] Islamic Retail Banking Symposium is expected to initiate debates on product development and structuring, Shari’a assurance, and regulation for Islamic retail banking,” said Dr. Sofiza Azmi, CEO of Cambridge IF Analytica.

In the evening of November 14, a Gala Dinner will be held where the 3rd Islamic Retail Banking Awards (IRBA) will be presented to various stakeholders in the US$1.7 trillion Islamic retail banking industry. Islamic retail banks from around the world are expected to participate in the event where two types of awards will be announced: [1] Strongest Islamic Retail Banks; and [2] Critics’ Choice Awards.

IRBA Awards Ceremonies take place in Dubai on an annual basis to celebrate success of Islamic retail banking and to highlight best practices in the industry. Our top award – Islamic Retail Banking Leadership Award – is presented to a leading champion of Islamic retail banking. The previous winners have included Hussein Al Qemzi, CEO of Noor Bank (2015), and Musa Shihadeh, General Manager of Jordan Islamic Bank (2016). 

About Cambridge IF Analytica:

Cambridge IF Analytica is a financial services intelligence house that specialises in developing and utilising powerful cutting edge analytical tools to evaluate business data, assess macroeconomic indicators and understand market trends, leadership positioning and brand development relevant to the development of the financial services industry globally.

The principal activity of Cambridge IF Analytica is developing performance indicators specific to alternative practices of banking and finance. It also aims to provide strategic advice to governments, financial institutions and multilateral organisations in the development of financial markets including alternative banking and finance products, procedures, practices and policies.

Through our strong and invaluable relations with policy makers and private sector industries, we have insights into market and business trends as well as policy changes. This allows us to identify and prioritize common issues and provide perspectives and solutions that are practical, focused and effective; which will increase the competitive advantage of our clients.

Cambridge IF Analytica is a member of HD-Edbiz Group of Companies with offices in London, British Virgin Island, Istanbul and Islamabad.

Contact Person: Khuram Shehzad; Email: kshehzad@cambridge-ifa.net

© Press Release 2017