Does Financial Instability of Conventional Banks Affect Financial Stability of Islamic Banks in GCC Countries?

Abstract

Purpose: The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between financial stability in Islamic banks and financial stability and soundness in conventional banks for five GCC countries.

Design/methodology/approach: By using time series data, this study employs Pedroni’s panel cointegration to test the long-run relationship between financial stability of Islamic banks and financial stability of conventional banks in GCC countries during the period of (2000-2017). Besides, the study also employs Granger causality to test the causal link between stability of two types of banks (Islamic and Conventional). As well as employing Generalized Least Squares (GLS) to examine the effects between independent variables which are financial stability of conventional banks and their profitability, impact of period of financial crisis (2008/2009), oil prices fluctuations, banking concentration and financial sector development and financial stability of Islamic banks (as the dependent variable).

Findings: The findings of this research suggest that there is a long-run, significant and positive relationship between the financial stability of conventional banks and its Islamic counterpart. At the same time, the financial stability of conventional banks is found to Granger caused the stability of Islamic banks.

Originality/value: The results of the study contribute towards understanding the determinants of the financial stability of both Islamic banks and conventional banks and how they affect each other. This is important for policy ramifications by the Central Banks in GCC in terms of treating both types of banks differently to mitigate against future financial crises.