Asset liability management : comparative study between the conventional and islamic banks in Malaysia

Abstract

This research evaluates the asset liability management of both conventional banks and Islamic banks in Malaysia, pre and post global financial crisis 2007/2008. This research is motivated by the fact that conventional banking system and Islamic banking system are operating on different frameworks and fundamentals. The purpose of this research study is to examine whether there are any significant differences between the Islamic banks in Malaysia and its conventional counterparts in terms of asset liability management. It is investigated from three aspects, which are interest (profit) rate risk management, credit risk management and liquidity risk management, before and after the global crisis. This research applies a descriptive method of data analysis as well as parametric and non-parametric tests, i.e. independent samples t-test and Mann Whitney U-test. The findings of this research suggest that there does not seem to be any significant differences between the conventional banks and the Islamic banks in terms of interest (profit) rate risk management (Net Interest Margin, Net Interest Income), credit risk management (Equity to Total Assets, Equity to Net Loans) and liquidity risk management (Liquidity Ratio, Net Loans to Total Assets Ratio). Limitation of this research is that the research focused on Malaysian data and to what extend Islamic banking systems is shariah compliant or not is not examined. The outcome of this research may highlight the risk that needs more significant attention in order to reduce the likelihood of exposures to the Islamic banks. Besides that, it may also highlight the need to implement new policy of asset liability composition in Islamic banks by the regulators. Further research on the area of Islamic banking system’s asset liability management from the qualitative aspect is highly recommended, as there is limited literature on this area.