Performance of Islamic Banks across the World: An Empirical Analysis over the Period 2001-2008

Abstract

Our study analyzes cost efficiency of Islamic and conventional banks drawing on a sample of 233 banks in 17 countries from Africa, Asia, Europe and Middle East, over the period 2001-2008. We found an efficiency score of 78.9%. Commercial banks in the 17 countries, display an average efficiency score of 82.50%. However, the level of efficiency for score Islamic banks varies according to regions, while it is quite similar for commercial banks. Asia Islamic banks display the highest score with 84.64%. On the contrary countries with Islamic banking system do not necessarily display the highest efficiency scores. Further analyses on commercial banks, in the selected countries strengthen the conclusion for a better regulation. Besides, the subprime crisis did not impact Islamic banks.