Syndicated loans are a highly versatile form of financing that can offer unique advantages over capital market issuance. But in today’s competitive and challenging market landscape, what is the best avenue for corporates to access funds? This month we take a look

This month we explore the simple yet sometimes controversial structure of Salam, usually defined as the sale of a specific commodity delivered at a fixed date in the future in return for full payment on spot. The contract offers versatility in terms

Business term financing is a relatively simple way of securing funds for a period usually up to five years, repayable in equal monthly instalments. Loans can be utilized for a variety of purposes including the purchase of fixed assets such as property

This month we explore the benefits of the agency concept in Islamic retail finance. The agency investment account is designed according to the Shariah principle of Wakalah. The customer appoints the bank to perform a transaction, without any fees, for an agreed

The International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM), a global standard-setting body for the Islamic financial services industry focusing on standardization of Islamic financial contracts and product templates, in May 2017 announced a pioneering new three-year strategy to expand the scope of standardization initiatives

In May, international standard-setting organization the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) released its annual report on the stability of the Islamic financial services industry. Notably, despite a challenging external environment brought on by the changing policy directions and uncertainties in the global

With liquidity tight especially across core Islamic finance markets in the Gulf, banks are becoming increasingly risk averse. Lending is down to its lowest point in four years in the GCC, with banks set for a profit dip as asset growth slows

Market-leading Malaysian telecoms firm Digi Telecommunications launched its first ever Islamic issuance in May 2017 to an eager market, with the oversubscribed paper demonstrating the robust appetite for high quality investment-grade names in a market keen for diversification. The debut RM900 million

In April 2017, leading Dubai property group DAMAC Real Estate Investments priced a US$500 million five-year Sukuk issuance at par with a 6.25% profit rate, in a complex deal that illustrates just how versatile Shariah compliant contracts can be in meeting the

This month we speak to ALI MOHAMMED AL OBAIDLI, the group CEO of Ezdan Holding Group, to explore his firm’s capital-raising strategy through its US$2 billion Sukuk program established in 2016. In 2016 Ezdan Holding Group issued a debut US$500 million Sukuk

CORPORATE First green Sukuk on the cards Malaysia’s Quantum Solar Park Semenanjung will issue the country’s first green sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) Sukuk this year. The solar power producer, owned by Quantum Solar Park Malaysia, seeks to raise up to RM1