23 October 2016

Cambridge - Cambridge IF Analytica, a UK-based financial think tank, announced today the holding of its 2nd Islamic Retail Banking Awards (IRBA) in Dubai on November 28, 2016. IRBA celebrates excellence and best practices in Islamic retail banking in two awards classes: (1) Strongest Islamic Retail Bank Awards and (2) Critics’ Choice Awards.

The former is based on a pathbreaking Islamic banking efficiency analysis commissioned by Hamdan Bin Mohamed Smart University Dubai, which ranks over 170 Islamic banks in terms of their efficiency ranks. Winners of the Critics’ Choice Awards are rigorously selected by the Critic’s Choice Committee, which comprises of leading Islamic banking experts from around the world.

The inaugural IRBA Awards Ceremony took place in Dubai last November, which was attended by Islamic bankers from around the world. A total of 25 Islamic Retail Banking Awards in various categories were presented to individuals and institutions. “This year, we are expecting to present about 40 awards, which definitely means expansion of scope and size of our awards,” said Dr Sofiza Azmi, CEO of Cambridge IF Analytica.

“Our Strongest Islamic Retail Banks Ranking is based on an indigenously developed methodology, unlike some other such rankings that are based on mere collection and collation of publically available data,” said Professor Humayon Dar, Chairman and Founder of IRBA. “Thus making IRBA the first-of-its-kind Islamic banking awards programme based on the most academically rigorous analysis of global Islamic banking efficiency performance,” he added.

“Nominations are still open. A number of award winners have already confirmed their participation,” added Dr Sofiza Azmi. These prestigious awards honor individuals and institutions who have demonstrated great commitment and made significant contribution to the development, growth and success of Islamic retail banking. It is expected that leading players in Islamic retail banking from North America to the Far East will participate in this year’s Awards Ceremony.

“The choice of Dubai to hold IRBA is strategic, as it allows easy access to the Islamic financial institutions from around the world,” said Khuram Shehzad, Head of Business Development & Strategy at Cambridge IF Analytica. November is perhaps the best time to visit Dubai and the wider GCC. The Awards Ceremony will provide ample opportunities to the participating institutions to network for mutual benefit.

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About Cambridge IF Analytica
Cambridge IF Analytica is a UK-based think tank specialising in offering strategic advice in the field of financial services. The main activity of the firm is to conduct academically rigorous yet professionally relevant research for financial institutions, multilateral bodies and governments.  

For additional information, please contact:
Umar Rauf | urauf@cambridge-ifa.net

© Press Release 2016