ISLAMIC SOCIAL FINANCE INITIATIVES: AN INSIGHT INTO BANK ISLAM MALAYSIA BERHAD'S INNOVATIVE BANGKIT MICROFINANCE PRODUCT

Purpose - The aim of this study is to explore the initiative taken by Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (BIMB) in upholding Islamic social finance (ISF) through the innovative BangKIT Microfinance product. Design/Methodology/Approach - This paper adopts the qualitative approach to review and synthesise the relevant literature on microfinance and Islamic microfinance and, moreover, analyses the BangKIT Microfinance product offered by BIMB. Findings - The paper identifies the ISF initiative undertaken by BIMB as one of the primary objectives of Islamic banks with the noble aim to contribute to the society. This study makes some recommendations for further improvement of the product to unlock the full potential of ISF. It also proposes such a unique sadaqah-based product to other Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) and Islamic microfinance institutions (IsMFIs) to promote the provision of credits to individuals and businesses that lack access to fundamental financial products and services. Originality/Value - This paper sheds light on the use of loans and sadaqah-based products as a microfinance initiative offered by an Islamic bank. Although there are several microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Malaysia, this product is amongst the pioneer contributions to the role of Islamic banks in ISF.