LEARN INSURANCE

Poverty Alleviation has become a world phenomenon which has led to invent various methods to mitigate it. Mutual funding model, sometimes scholarly views of Dr. Yunus and technology/mobile banking are adopted to cut it down. Therefore latest research has proved that Islamic microfinance has all the substitutions to cut down the worldwide poverty. The subject matter is focused upon in “International Conference on Islamic Microfinance” that’s going to be the largest event in the history of Islamic microfinance - is planned on June 13, 2011 in Islamabad. Varied models of Islamic microfinance, Shariah issues, Zuqat, Dard-e-Husna and Waqf model to decrease poverty, usage of technology and the implementation of Islamic microfinance in flood hit areas will be the hot topics to discuss in this mega event.

It is to be noted that almost One Billion Seventy Crore (1.7 billion) people are hand to mouth and living lives below the poverty line. Amongst them 44% are residing in Muslim countries and this factor highlights the need of Islamic microfinance in an effective way. Recent surveys and research reports of USAID, CGAP, World Bank, IFC and Frankford Finance School report Islamic microfinance the best substitution for the poverty alleviation. Currently more than 300 Islamic microfinance organizations in Indonesia, Kenya, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Tanzania, Mauritius, South Africa, Malaysia and Pakistan are working to alleviate the poverty. It is a pleasing aspect that this number is rapidly increasing not only in Muslim countries but also in non Muslim countries. To unite all these organizations in one platform, an “Islamic Microfinance Network” has also been formed. The important aspect of this conference is that microfinance model of “Akhuwat Microfinance Pakistan” will be presented as a model which has released more than one Billion PKR funds to the poors.

While discussing the importance of the conference, Mr. Zubair Mughal, Chief Executive officer, AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics Pakistan, the organizer of the conference said that Pakistan has a prominent place in the field of Islamic microfinance sector and Pakistan is representing Islamic microfinance as a leader of the industry and to organize this conference also manifests the same cause. He further added that this event will further promote this sector in the world. He said that there will be a separate session for the contribution of Islamic microfinance for the relief work in flood hit areas#
Reference: http://www.alhudacibe.com/IMFC-2011/

KARACHI - With the highly encouraging response world-wide in Islamic Banking, Faysal Bank has the history to be one of distinguished institutions having Sharia compliant banking and it has received tremendous response from the investors, depositors and businessmen taking interest in the specially designed “window on Islamic Banking” of the bank.

In an interview with Naved A. Khan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Faysal Bank with The Daily Mail, he explained the strategic growth and development of Islamic banking with Faysal Bank Ltd in Pakistan. Now the Faysal Bank with acquisition of RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) its operations and financial strength has further improved.

Faysal Bank Limited and its key stake holders have history in Islamic Finance that leads to committed entry in Islamic Banking in Pakistan with its brand Faysal Barkat Islamic Banking. Barkat Islamic Banking will be one of the key areas of focused growth in the next 5 years for Faysal Bank Limited. We are fully engaged and committed in development of Islamic Banking in Pakistan with a dedicated division having its own product group and distribution set-up equipped with well trained human capital, supervised by Shariah Advisor and supported by Shariah Consultant to ensure Shariah Compliant business in line with vision and directives of State Bank of Pakistan.

Naved A. Khan, President of Faysal Bank said, Islamic Banking Business (IBB) has proven its potential globally as well as in Pakistan. There are huge growth opportunities in Pakistan. Over the past decade, Islamic banking has grown at double digit rate resulting in 6% share in the total banking industry. The following are the key drivers of growth:

Large Islamic Population: Pakistan comprises of over 95% Muslim population; hence the significance of having a foothold in such a huge target audience cannot be ignored. The large Muslim population and the strong faith towards religion will keep on fuelling Islamic banking growth in double digits. We could expect Islamic Banking business in Pakistan to capture 25 -30% market share in this decade.

Spiritual Attraction: Besides the economic factors, the emergence of Islamic finance is related to revival of Islam and desire of Muslims to live all aspects of their lives in accordance with the teachings of Islamic law or Shariah.

Government & Regulatory Support: Government and SBP have been supportive of the development of a strong Islamic financial sector alongside conventional banking system.

Increase in the distribution outlets of existing Islamic financial institutions and the entrance of conventional banks in this business is clear indication that Islamic Banking will keep on growing in line with SBP 2012 vision.

Faysal Bank has launched its Islamic banking in September 2009 with first branch in Karachi under the brand of Barkat Islamic Banking.

Total number of dedicated Islamic banking branches is 13 covering 6 cities across Pakistan. Acquisition of RBS has complemented growth of Islamic banking business at FBL. Within a short span of one year Barkat Islamic banking has captured a sizeable number of customers by offering major Islamic banking products and services. Faysal Bank has always been customer centric and has provided products and solutions which are tailor made to address its target market. Our focus and challenge has always been to exceed the expectations of our existing and potential customers consistently. Barkat Islamic Banking will continue this with further growth in distribution and product lines.

Conventional banking is in business for over 3 centuries. They have clear edge over systems, infrastructure, experienced human resource and vintage. Simultaneously, key challenges that Islamic Banking faces like Shariah interpretations, scarcity of Shariah experts, greater time required in product development and execution, short-term liquidity & risk management typical of an evolving industry.

However, Islamic banking institutions in Pakistan as well as in other parts of the world have introduced new and advanced Islamic products and structures which are at par with conventional banking business; whilst full fill the financial solutions of its customers. Sukuks on Ijarah and Diminishing Musharakah financial models are being used to replace TFCs and bonds and are receiving very good response from the market. Government of Pakistan has introduced billions of rupees of Sukkuks in recent months that have been oversubscribed.

Courtesy By: pakistan daily Mail

KARACHI: Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Ltd (PQFTL) and HBL Islamic Banking inked an accord to provide family (Life) Takaful coverage to HBL-Islamic Banking Al-Ziarat Account (Hajj and Umrah Savings Plan) holders. The contribution for Life Takaful coverage will be made by HBL. P Ahmed CEO PQFTL and Muhammad Aslam head of Islamic Banking HBL said HBL Al-Ziarat Account is a scheme where the plan holders could save for Hajj and Umrah to undertake the journey at the time of their choice. As an incentive HBL Al-Ziarat Account will have higher weightage than PLS account in addition to free life cover. In case of death of an account holder, PQFTL will pay the remaining contribution towards the scheme and the nominee of the plan holder will get lump sum amount to perform Hajj-e-Badal or Umrah in place of the deceased. HBL will initially offer this product from 19 stand-alone dedicated Islamic Banking branches and 206 Islamic Banking windows throughout Pakistan.

ourtesy by: Daily Times

The lack of long-term investment products is undermining growth in Malaysia’s Islamic insurance industry, spurring calls for more sukuk maturing beyond 10 years in the world’s biggest market for the debt.

The country’s 13.9 billion ringgit ($4.5 billion) of insurance assets that comply with Shariah law made up 9 percent of the 154 billion ringgit total as of July 2010, according to central bank data. Malaysia has 293.2 billion ringgit of outstanding Islamic bonds, with 41.5 billion ringgit maturing in 10 years and more, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Institutions offering services known as takaful need to match long-term liabilities and a greater availability of sukuk would help firms expand their range of insurance, according to Kuala Lumpur-based HSBC Amanah Takaful Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. The industry also lags behind banking in the United Arab Emirates, said Ahmed Aljanahi at Dubai-based Noor Takaful.

“We need long-term sukuk because we can’t be aggressive in equities or park most of our funds in deposit accounts or just short-term paper,” Hafidz Hamzah, who helps manage 12 million ringgit as head of investment at Kuala Lumpur-based Great Eastern Takaful Sdn. Bhd., which received its license last year, said in an interview Jan. 5. “That’s hampering returns and too much exposure to equities can be very volatile for our funds.”

New Licenses

Takaful is based on the Koranic principle of mutual assistance, whereby policy holders contribute a sum of money to a common pool managed by the company. The funds are used to pay for claims and any excess is returned to customers.

Malaysia’s Islamic insurance assets grew 20 percent in the first seven months of 2010 from a year earlier, according to central bank data. Bank Negara Malaysia issued four new Shariah- compliant life-insurance licenses last year, bringing the number of takaful firms to 12.

Global takaful contributions increased 29 percent to an estimated $5.3 billion in 2008 from a year earlier, according to a report published in April 2010 by Ernst & Young LLP. Takaful contributions in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council rose 31 percent to an estimated $3.7 billion the same year, the report said.

‘Chicken & Egg’

“It’s a chicken and egg situation, if you have more long- dated sukuk then there are more assets for takaful operators to invest in,” Rafe Haneef, managing director of global markets at HSBC Amanah, whose parent was the second-largest underwriter of Islamic bonds last year, said in an interview Jan. 5. “Growth in takaful and the sukuk industry will mutually enrich both sectors.”

Global sales of sukuk, which pay returns based on asset flows to comply with the religion’s ban on interest, fell 15 percent in 2010 to $17.1 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Issuance reached a record $31 billion in 2007.

Malaysia’s 10-year development plan will increase sales of longer-maturity debt as companies need to spread out their financing, according to RAM Rating Services Bhd., the biggest of the nation’s credit rating firms. The government has identified $444 billion of private-sector led projects including the building of an underground rail system, a nuclear power plant and the expansion of the road network.

“With more infrastructure projects, that’s going to accelerate the growth of long-term sukuk,” Zakariya Othman, head of Islamic finance at RAM Rating, said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Returns Declined

Shariah-compliant bonds returned 12.8 percent last year, the HSBC/NASDAQ Dubai US Dollar Sukuk Index shows, compared with 19.8 percent the previous year. Debt in emerging markets gained 12.2 percent, from 29.8 percent in 2009, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s EMBI Global Diversified Index.

The difference between the average yield for sukuk in developing nations and the London interbank offered rate widened two basis points to 292 since Dec. 31, according to the HSBC/NASDAQ Dubai US Dollar Sukuk Index. The spread narrowed 178 basis points, or 1.78 percentage points, last year.

The yield on Malaysia’s 3.928 percent sukuk maturing in June 2015 declined three basis points to 2.87 percent yesterday, according to prices from Royal Bank of Scotland Group. The extra yield investors demand to hold Dubai’s government sukuk rather than Malaysia’s widened two basis points to 336, Bloomberg data show.

Noor Takaful, the holding company of Noor Takaful General PJSC and Noor Takaful Family PJSC, in Dubai is talking with investment banks in the Persian Gulf to come up with new products for the Islamic insurance industry, Ahmed Aljanahi, the managing director, said in an interview Jan. 6.

“We are expecting the more well-established investment banks to come up with the right product for the medium to long- term to cater for the takaful industry worldwide, not just for the U.A.E.,” said Aljanahi. “That would take, I would say, four to five years.”

Malaysia Sukuk Sales

Sales of Islamic bonds from the GCC, which includes U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia, dropped 32 percent last year to $4.5 billion, Bloomberg data show. Issuance of ringgit-denominated sukuk in Malaysia fell 11 percent to 28.5 billion ringgit.

Takaful companies are seeking more investments in order to roll out products that provide longer-term coverage such as retirement plans, said Leonardo Zanolini, chief operating officer at HSBC Amanah Takaful Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., a joint venture between HSBC Insurance (Asia Pacific) Holdings Ltd., Jerneh Asia Bhd. and the Employees Provident Fund.

“As the market grows, you would expect the relevance of takaful operators participating in the sukuk market to grow because they need long-term assets to match their long-term liabilities,” Zanolini said Dec. 30 in a telephone interview.

Courtesy by:Bloomberg

Recent reports have indicated that the central bank will soon move to regulate an Islamic commercial bank. What exactly is involved in Islamic banking?

Globally, the assets of Islamic banks have been expanding at double-digit rates for a decade and Islamic banking is increasingly becoming a visible alternative to conventional banks in Islamic countries and countries with many muslims.
Islamic banks serve muslim customers, but are not religious institutions. They are profit-maximising intermediaries between savers and investors and offer custodial and other traditional banking services. The constraints they face are, however, different and are based on Shariah law. There are four main features that differentiate Islamic banking from the conventional banks.

Prohibition against interest (Riba) is the major difference between Islamic and traditional banking. Islam prohibits Riba on the grounds that interest is a form of exploitation and is inconsistent with the notion of fairness. This implies that fixing in advance a positive return on a loan as a reward for the use of one’s money is not allowed.

Prohibition against games of chance (Maysir) and chance (gharar): Islamic banking bars speculation - increasing wealth by chance rather than productive effort. Maysir refers to avoidable uncertainty; for example, gambling at a casino. An example of gharar is undertaking a business venture without sufficient information.

Prohibition against forbidden (Haram) activities: Islamic banks may finance only permissible (Halal) activities. Banks are not supposed to lend to companies or individuals involved in activities deemed to harm society (for example, gambling) or prohibited under Islamic law (for example, financing construction of a plant to make alcoholic beverages).

Payment of some of the bank’s profits to benefit society (Zakat): Muslims believe in justice and equality in opportunity (not outcome). One way they do this is to redistribute income to provide a minimum standard of living for the poor. Zakat is one of the five tenets of Islam. Where Zakat is not collected by the state; Islamic banks donate directly to Islamic religious institutions.
In countries with significant muslim communities like Uganda, many large segments of muslims do not have access to adequate banking services-often because devout muslims are unwilling to put their savings into a traditional financial system that runs counter to their religious principles. Islamic banks seek to provide financial services in a way that is compatible with Islamic teaching, and if Islamic banks can tap that potential clientele, that could hasten economic development in these countries.

There is evidence of close correlation between financial sector development and growth. Countries whose financial systems offer a variety of services tend to grow faster. Banks, whether Islamic or traditional, play a fundamental economic role as financial intermediaries and as facilitators of payments.
The rise of Islamic banking has contributed to economic development in two main ways. One key benefit is increased financial intermediation. In Islamic countries and regions, large segments of the population do not use banks. The Islamic world, as a whole, has a lower level of financial development than other regions—in part because conventional banks do not satisfy the needs of devout Muslims.

Moreover, because Islamic banking requires borrowers and lenders to share the risk of failure, it provides a shock-absorbing mechanism that is essential in developing economies. A mechanism that allows the sharing of business risk in return for a stake in the profits encourages investment in such an uncertain environment and satisfies Islam’s core tenet of social justice. If Islamic banking can emerge, Muslim businesses stand to benefit.

Two of the Gulf's top Islamic finance scholars spoke out against efforts to reduce the number of boards they and their peers are allowed to sit on, challenging industry attempts to improve corporate governance.

Bankers in the emerging $1 trillion Islamic finance industry say the concentration of hundreds of board positions in the hands of a few sharia scholars leads to conflicts of interest and hampers appropriate supervision.

Bahrain based industry body AAOIFI is drafting rules to regulate scholars' shareholdings and the number of Shariah supervisory boards a single scholar can sit on. "There is no need to limit the number of boards," Sheikh Nizam Yaquby, one of the most revered Islamic finance scholars in the Gulf Arab region, told a conference in Manama. He sits on several dozen sharia supervisory boards.

He said there was no similar criticism of other groups such as lawyers or accounting firms working for several banks: "Why should (sharia scholars) not be treated like other professionals in the field?"

Only the Malaysian central bank limits the number of boards scholars can sit on, while the United Arab Emirates this year introduced caps in the insurance sector.A second top scholar in the Gulf, Mohamed Al Qari, also dismissed efforts to limit the number of board seats that scholars are able to hold.

"I don't think it will be very helpful if we restrict the membership of sharia boards to only one, if the member himself is not qualified," he told the conference.He said that simply graduating from an academic sharia program alone was not sufficient to be qualified to sit on a bank's sharia supervisory board and that junior scholars needed to learn from senior colleagues until formal training programs are established.

He said: "This knowledge that has been accumulated by a small number of people can go from the first to
the second generation through apprenticeship."

Both Yaquby and Al Qari are members of the AAOIFI sharia board that develops accounting and auditing standards for Islamic banks.

Bankers say reforms launched by AAOIFI will likely fall short of expectations as scholars governing themselves are unlikely to cut into their own source of income, unless central banks force them to do so.

"This has to come from a body that can regulate, that can impose the rules," Muddassir Siddiqui, an Islamic finance scholar and partner at law firm SNR Denton.

He said that the industry needed to strike the right balance between improving transparency and ensuring scholars develop the know how needed in Shariah supervision.

Takaful Ikhlas Sdn Bhd has launched a comprehensive group Takaful scheme for the staff of Immigration Department through the latter's Kesatuan Perkhidmatan Imigresen Semenanjung Malaysia (KPISM).Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Takaful Ikhlas, Wan Mohd Fadzlullah Wan Abdullah said the group scheme has been prepared specially to provide Syariah based comprehensive financial protection."The scheme will provide attractive and reasonable rates into the investment accounts of the participants. Besides the element of saving for retirement days, it is also created to minimise the risk factor," he said in a statement here Friday.Wan Mohd Fadzlullah said Takaful Ikhlas aimed to get 2,000 new members under the scheme with an estimated contribution amount of RM1 million in the first year.The scheme will be also opened to the family members of those taking up the scheme.Among the features of the scheme will include coverage for accidents, death, hospitalisation benefits, as well as coverage for 40 critical illnesses.Further details on the scheme can be obtained at KPISM or from any Takaful Ikhlas office.

--BERNAMA

Islamic insurers can help rid the Islamic bonds market of crippling concerns over the compliance of structures with Islamic law, or sharia, industry experts and executives said.

Global issuance of sukuk fell 56 percent year-on-year to $14.9 billion in 2008, according to Standard & Poor's, as the market was caught up in the global liquidity freeze but also due to a debate on whether the majority of Islamic bonds, or sukuk, were sharia-compliant.

Prominent scholar Sheikh Muhammad Tariq Usmani said in late 2007 that most Islamic bonds were not compliant with sharia as their guarantee to pay out bondholders at maturity contradicts the principle of sharing risk and returns.

Peter Hodgins, a lawyer specialising in Islamic insurance at law firm Clyde & Co said Islamic insurance, or takaful, products could help reconcile the need for sukuk to comply with these requirements and investors' need to insure against risks.

"Takaful can be a solution to help out the sukuk market."

Takaful firms could provide insurance for sukuk investors that takes over notional annual payments to bondholders if they fall below an agreed amount, he said, adding that there were discussions in the industry on such a product.

In Islamic insurance, customers contribute to a pool of funds which is used to indemnify participants who suffer a loss, while in conventional insurance the insurer takes on the risk for a premium.

"As the sukuk market evolves, there could be room for such a product," said Nick Frei, chief executive of Bahrain-based Islamic insurer t'azur.

But he said pricing these products could be a challenge for takaful companies as the risk of sukuk was difficult to assess.

-- Reuters

Takaful International has signed a contract with Eskan Bank to provide health insurance for the bank's employees and their families for one year.

The contract has been awarded through the Tender Board, which is recognised for its highly-transparent policy in managing tenders.

"Eskan Bank's management is pleased that Takaful International has met all the terms and conditions of the tender," said bank general manager Sabah K Almoayyed

"This agreement is a confirmation of the bank's dedication to care for our professional staff, who are an essential element for the success of any financial institutions, as we are always keen to provide convenience and safety for them."

She said this insurance coverage is an important and a necessary incentive to the bank's staff to improve their morale and overall job satisfaction.

"We are glad to co-operate with Eskan Bank, through providing a comprehensive health insurance coverage for their employees and their families, with no doubt this coverage provides security, comfort and reassurance," said Takaful International chief executive officer Younis Jamal Al Sayed.

"Such coverages are considered an urgent requirement for all institutions to ensure their success and to keep pace with growth in light of the changes in the professional sector."

Mr Al Sayed added that the company continues to develop its insurance services, products and health insurance policies.

It seeks to attract more hospitals and clinics in the Middle East and include them within the network of their own health care providers.

-- Gulf Daily News

SABB Takaful announces its rights issue started Saturday, 15 August 2009.
A number of 24m new shares are offered through this rights issue representing a 240% increase in SABB Takaful's shares to 34m. Shares are being offered at SR12.5 per share. The rights issue offering period will continue for ten working days including Wednesday 26 August 2009.

Dr Yazid AbdulRahman Al Ohaly, Chairman of SABB Takaful said:

'This is the first rights issue held in the Kingdom for an insurance company and the proceeds will be used to finance the future plans of the company. We are pleased to announce the start of the subscription period.'

Shareholders voted at the Extraordinary General Meeting, held at The Saudi British Bank headquarters in Riyadh on 8 August 2009 to increase the company's capital through a rights issue.

The offering is open to all SABB Takaful registered shareholders as of the close of trading on 8 August 2009. 12 shares is allocated for every 5 shares held by shareholders on the eligibility date.

During the offering period, eligible shareholders may submit their applications to subscribe for rights issue shares either through a branch of the receiving banks or tele-banking services section or automated teller machines (ATMs) or the internet banking service of any of the receiving banks providing such services.

Receiving banks for the rights issue are The Saudi British Bank (SABB), Al Rajhi Bank, The National Commercial Bank (NCB or otherwise known as Al Ahli Bank), Bank Al Jazira, and Samba Bank.

--AMEInfo

Ali bin Za’al Al Mansouri replaced Dr Abdul Latif Al Shamsi as the chairman of Methaq Takaful Insurance Company, after the latter resigned recently.

Samer Mohammed Kanan was also elected as the managing director, and he will manage the company’s administrative staff.

“The change in the board of directors aims at developing the company and supporting its continuous progress and expansion plans,” said Samer Kanan.

Methaq Takaful Insurance Company is a registered and licensed General Takaful company in the UAE, with a capital of Dh150 million ($40.8 million).

The company offers individuals and corporations a complete range of high quality, flexible, integrated, Shariah-compliant insurance products and services.

Established on March 11, 2008, Methaq Takaful Company was listed on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange on May 11, 2008 and its activities are clearly segregated between Takaful Fund, which belongs to its policyholders, and Methaq Takaful Operation, which belongs to the shareholders and from which all claims are reimbursed.

--TradeArabia News Service

Muslim CEOs running UK-based companies will soon be able to opt for takaful risk management solutions from stand-alone Islamic insurer, Salaam Halal.

According to a report by Reuters, the move represents a branching out by Salaam Halal, which has so far focused on providing takaful motor and home insurance.

Takaful, a form of insurance legal under Islamic law, adheres to strict guidelines on investments.

Insurance funds cannot be invested in alcohol or gambling and there is clear segregation between assets owned by members and those owned by the insurer.

The new business will target Muslim-owned small and medium sized businesses with less than £1m annual turnover, including lawyers, doctors, retailers, and accountants.

“It was always our intention to look at these markets,” said Salaam Halal CEO Bradley Brandon-Cross.

“We will be very much focusing on this project in 2010,” he added.

There are an estimated 140,000 Muslim-owned SMEs in the UK.

--Insurance Daily

IGI Investment Bank, a part of the IGI Financial Services, recently signed a bancatakaful agreement with Pak-Qatar Family Takaful aiming to further strengthen its portfolio by adding Family (Life) Takaful Insurance to its insurance advisory services. Under this agreement, clients will be able to secure their own and their family’s future the Islamic way through a host of Shariah compliant Takafu—Islamic insurance—products offered to the bank. IGI Investment Bank will, therefore, be able to cater to all those clients who are seeking a Halal alternative to conventional insurance

--Daily Times

* Eyes Muslim-owned SMEs with less than 1 mln stg turnover

* Mulls life insurance partnership, Europe expansion

LONDON, July 24 (Reuters) - Salaam Halal, the UK's only stand-alone Islamic insurer, will expand next year to offer insurance -- or takaful -- to companies run by Muslim businesses, the company's CEO said on Friday.

Bradley Brandon-Cross told Reuters the company, which launched in 2008, wants to launch the first takaful product range for Muslim-owned small and medium-sized business in Britain, which he estimated number around 140,000.

Major European insurers have been considering a move into the European takaful market, seeking to tap demand from the millions of Muslims on the continent [ID:nLE729394], but the market is still in its infancy and growth is hard to predict.

Salaam Halal -- which has so far focused on car and home insurance -- will particularly target businessmen with less than 1 million pounds ($1.65 million) annual turnover, typically lawyers, accountants, doctors and retailers.

"It was always our intention to look at these markets. We will be very much focusing on this project in 2010," Brandon-Cross said.

Takaful works like mutual-insurance but there is a clear segregation of the assets owned by members and those owned by the insurer. Members contribute to a common pool to fund claims and members benefit if the pool is left in surplus.

Investments made using the pool of funds adhere to sharia law and shun sectors such as alcohol and gambling.

Ernst & Young has estimated the global takaful contributions will reach $7.7 billion in 2012, double the volume in 2007, at the conservative end of estimates.

Salaam Halal is considering offering life savings products in partnership with other insurers in the UK and outside the UK, which Brandon-Cross declined to name. The company may also move into European countries with large Muslim populations, such as France, Germany and the Netherlands.

--Thomson Reuters

SYARIKAT Takaful Malaysia Bhd (STMB), the pioneer Islamic insurer in Malaysia, expects to outperform the industry's 25 per cent growth target for 2009, says group managing director Datuk Hassan Kamil.

Recovery in the general and family insurance portfolio and improved equity market in the past four months has improved the company's outlook, he said.

STMB has added professional financial advisers to its distribution channels and hopes to expand its customer base to include the middle-upper Malaysian market.

"We want to elevate the company to the next level, targeting more cash from the demand of customers in this income bracket (with higher contributions or premium size)," Hassan said, after the signing ceremony between STMB and Standard Financial Planner (SFP) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday SFP will market STMB's products through its network of more than 300 representatives, who include Bank Negara Malaysia-licensed financial advisers.

The tie-up would improve the company's bottom line by 10 per cent, he added.

For the third quarter ended March 31 2009, the insurer posted a pre-tax loss of RM11.46 million down from a pre-tax profit of RM11.07 million in the same quarter last year.

Revenue also declined to RM187.67 million from RM280.67 million previously.

Hassan also said that STMB is on track to regain its number one position in the market in two years, when it secures more than 50 per cent of RM11 billion assets in the industry, from its current RM4 billion or 40 per cent.

--Business Times

Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Bhd (STMB) has entered into a distribution agreement with Standard Financial Planner Sdn Bhd (SFP) to enhance the penetration rate of STMB’s family and general products into the middle-upper Malaysian market.

The agreement signed yesterday makes STMB the first takaful player to add professional financial advisers to its existing portfolio of distribution channels.

SFP is to market STMB products through its nationwide network of more than 300 representatives, of whom 75 are licensed financial advisers.

STMB group managing director Datuk Mohamad Hassan Kamil said SFP’s financial advisers would play an instrumental role in reaching out to potential customers in the middle-upper income bracket.

“STMB will also work closely with the financial advisers to offer comprehensive insurance, investment and saving options to satisfy the holistic demand of these customers,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The engagement of SFP is part of STMB’s strategy to gain more customers with higher contributions or premium size.

SFP is the market leader and the largest independent financial advisory group in Malaysia.

--The Star online

ETIQA Takaful Bhd has won the Best Banca Takaful award at the International Takaful Award 2009 held in conjunction with the Third International Takaful Summit 2009 in London recently.

Etiqa Takaful was the only Malaysian takaful company to win in the global 17-category event, it said in a statement.

Etiqa Takaful was hailed for its performance despite the economic environment and innovative yet simple products in Banca Takaful.

“Etiqa Takaful’s growth in the banca takaful business does indeed exhibit its capabilities to provide appropriate financial solutions together with its Banca partners” said Mohamed Abdullah, director of the Middle East Business Forum.

--Business Times