Quarterly Journal of Islamic Finance and Banking Studies is Open Access journal.

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Investigating the Asymmetric Effects of Modern Banking Services on the Level of Bank Production (Evidence from a panel NARDL Model)

Pages 1-28

https://doi.org/10.22034/jifb.2026.577708.1659

Mahdi Mohamadzadeh Monfared, Maryam Ebrahimi, Hossein Kassiri

Abstract This study examines the effect of modern banking services on the level of bank output in Iran and specifically analyzes the asymmetric nature of these effects within the framework of the NARDL model. For this purpose, panel data from 13 banks during 2016-2023 were used and a composite index of modern banking services was constructed using principal component analysis (PCA). To control for structural heterogeneity of banks and macroeconomic conditions, control variables derived from bank balance sheet characteristics and macroeconomic indicators were also added to the model using principal component analysis in the form of two composite factors. The results of the linear ARDL model show that modern banking services have a positive and significant effect on bank output only in the long run and that their effect is not significant in the short run. The results of the asymmetric NARDL model provide a more accurate and deeper picture of the relationship between modern banking services and the level of output. The long-term findings indicate a significant asymmetry in the impact of new banking services such that an increase in new banking services (+T) increases bank output but that a decrease (-T) causes a sharper and larger decline in output. Based on the results, technology plays a role as a long-term driver of bank output. Negative technology shocks have more severe destructive effects than the benefits from positive shocks, which is consistent with theoretical concepts such as technology stickiness and technological risk and policymakers should prioritize the sustainable maintenance and improvement of technology infrastructure and the prevention of negative shocks.

Bank Efficiency in Risk and Uncertainty: A Network Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

Pages 29-78

https://doi.org/10.22034/jifb.2026.576180.1658

Bahman Hamrang, Alireza Bahiraie, Ehsan Teymouri

Abstract Evaluating bank efficiency in high-risk and uncertain environments requires analytical frameworks that can simultaneously account for the internal structure of banking operations and environmental fluctuations. This study proposes an integrated empirical framework for assessing the efficiency of listed and over-the-counter banks in Iran by combining deterministic network data envelopment analysis (NDEA) with its fuzzy extension. Using data covering the period 2018–2023, the efficiency of 16 Iranian listed and OTC banks was estimated through deterministic efficiency scores, as well as the lower bound, upper bound, and mean values of fuzzy efficiency. The results reveal a statistically meaningful gap between deterministic and fuzzy efficiency measures, indicating persistent structural and institutional inefficiencies. These inefficiencies are primarily driven by weak corporate governance, low-quality decision-making, and ineffective risk management, while environmental volatility plays an amplifying role. Substantial heterogeneity in bank efficiency was observed, largely concentrated in key stages of the financial intermediation process. The findings highlight the necessity of institutional reforms and the redesign of supervisory mechanisms to enhance banks’ resilience and performance under conditions of uncertainty

Bank Customer Rights in the Era of Automated Systems and Agentic Artificial Intelligence: Challenges of Legal Liability and Regulatory Requirements

Pages 79-113

https://doi.org/10.22034/jifb.2026.582590.1660

Seyed Omid Azarkasb, Atiye Fazelipanah, Mohammad Rajabi, Seyed Hossein Khasteh

Abstract The proliferation of automated systems and the emergence of a new generation of artificial intelligence, commonly referred to as agentic artificial intelligence, have fundamentally transformed traditional models of decision-making and interaction between banks and their customers. Endowed with capacities for autonomous agency, goal-oriented decision-making, and continuous learning, these systems are playing an increasingly central role in processes such as credit scoring, fraud detection, risk management, and the provision of digital financial services. However, delegating sensitive and rights-affecting decisions to agentic systems has generated novel legal challenges concerning liability, attribution of decisions, procedural transparency, and institutional accountability. Adopting an analytical and legal-regulatory approach, this study examines the implications of deploying automated systems and agentic artificial intelligence for the protection of banking customers’ rights. To this end, it first elucidates the distinctive characteristics of agentic AI and its impact on the architecture of banking decision-making. Next, it analyzes the principal liability-related challenges arising from automated decisions, including ambiguity in the attribution of responsibility, the erosion of traditional fault-based concepts, diminished decision transparency, and constraints on the effective right to contest adverse outcomes. Drawing on a four-layer analytical framework and a review of international regulatory developments and policy instruments, the study identifies the regulatory requirements necessary to safeguard banking customer rights. The findings show that without a focus on institutional bank responsibility, risk-based regulation, process transparency, and meaningful human oversight, existing legal frameworks are unable to effectively respond to the challenges posed by proactive AI. Finally, pathways for developing adaptive and responsible regulation in digital banking are suggested.

The impact of artificial intelligence on the digitalization of human resources in the banking industry (Case study: Selected banks of the Islamic Republic of Iran)

Pages 114-160

https://doi.org/10.22034/jifb.2026.584066.1662

Shadi moosazadeh, Seyed kazem Chavooshi, Sara fakhrian

Abstract In this study, given the increasing expansion of digital banking and the increasing role of new technologies in improving the efficiency of organizations, the issue of human resource digitization and how artificial intelligence affects this process has been considered. The aim of the present study is to present a model to explain the effects of artificial intelligence on the digitalization of human resources in the banking industry. This study was conducted with a theoretical-analytical approach based on a literature review and an examination of concepts related to digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and human resource management, attempting to identify and explain the dimensions of the impact of this technology in various areas of human resources. The findings of the study show that artificial intelligence plays an important role in the digitalization of human resources by automating human resource processes, facilitating decision-making, increasing accuracy in recruiting and retaining employees, improving training and development, and improving the speed and quality of services. The results also indicate that the use of artificial intelligence in banking can lead to organizational agility and improving employee experience, while increasing productivity and reducing costs. Accordingly, the proposed research model can be used as a framework to better understand the relationship between artificial intelligence and digital transformation in human resource management.

The Impact of Supervisory and Regulatory Policies on Interaction with the International Banking System with the Mediating Role of Financial Transparency

Pages 192-218

https://doi.org/10.22034/jifb.2026.547189.1640

Nima zoghi, Neda salahi sanandaj, Mohammad adib Makrooni

Abstract This study aims to examine the impact of supervisory and regulatory policies on interaction with the international banking system, with financial transparency serving as a mediating role. The research is descriptive-correlational and applied in nature, with the statistical population comprising all employees of banks in Tehran province. The sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula and considering the number of parameters in the structural equation modeling (SEM) framework, ultimately, 384 participants were selected, and questionnaires were distributed and collected. Data were gathered using standardized questionnaires on regulatory policies and regulations (Bart et al., 2013), financial transparency (Chen et al., 2010), and international banking interaction (Buch and Neugbauer, 2017), each covering multiple dimensions assessed via a 5-point Likert scale. The validity of the instruments was confirmed by experts in banking, financial management, and academia, and reliability was established with satisfactory Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Descriptive statistics were employed to describe demographic characteristics, and SEM analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27 and PLS version 3. The results indicated that regulatory policies and regulations have a significant positive effect on domestic banks’ interaction with the international banking system. Furthermore, financial transparency plays a significant mediating role between regulatory policies and international banking interaction such that increased transparency strengthens the impact of regulatory policies on international interactions. Based on these findings, it is recommended that banking supervisory bodies and policymakers improve regulatory frameworks and enhance financial transparency to facilitate more effective engagement of domestic banks with the international banking system.

The role of artificial intelligence in designing brand voice in the banking industry (Case study: Bank Refah Kargaran)

https://doi.org/10.22034/jifb.2026.558473.1648

Elaheh Rostami Aoushaki, Farid Mehrnia, Hasan Abbaszadeh

Abstract Today's world has witnessed the emergence of a new paradigm in the banking industry, where competitive advantage has shifted from what (product) to how (interaction), and in this space, brand voice as the linguistic manifestation of brand personality plays a crucial role in trust-building. While previous research has focused on the quantitative applications of artificial intelligence in marketing, considering it a tool for quantitative optimizations and aiming to fill this gap, this research presents an innovative, theory-based hybrid model for designing and implementing brand voice using artificial intelligence. To this end, this study used a mixed-methods research design with an explanatory case study approach. In the qualitative phase, the desired identity was extracted by integrating service-dominant logic (S-D Logic) and Aaker's brand personality model. In the quantitative phase, by analyzing 4000 units of textual data extracted from digital communications (including 1200 outbound messages and 2800 interactive comments), along with examining organizational documents and generating 500 simulation scenarios with artificial intelligence, the semantic distance between the current and desired voice was measured. The findings from the quantitative analysis show that the current brand voice of Bank Refah Kargaran has a significant deviation from the desired personality and focuses 85% on the competence dimension. Applying the proposed framework in the simulated environment was able to increase the linguistic empathy index by 220% and significantly reduce the deviation from the brand identity.

Banking Industry and Economic Convergence: An Inter-provincial Analysis

Volume 8, Winter, Summer 2023, Pages 83-117

https://doi.org/10.22034/jifb.2023.177460

saeed rahimi, parvaneh salatin, masood soufi, Mahmod Mahmodzadeah

Abstract This study, using spatial econometrics, investigated the effect of bank efficiency and monetary indiscipline on the economic convergence of provinces in the period of 1389 to 1398. The estimation results of the models revealed that the ratio of facilities to bank deposits, as an indicator of banking efficiency and monetary indiscipline, has a negative and significant effect on economic convergence in the provinces investigated. Therefore, the banking system was not able to play an influential role in economic convergence. The absolute speed of convergence was shown to be 0.048; in the conditional models, with the values of 0.269 and 0.254, the speed of convergence of the provinces was higher. However, with the introduction of banking variables, the speed of convergence decreased. In other words, on a yearly basis, 4.8% in the absolute convergence mode and 26.9% and 25.4% in the conditional convergence mode, the economic gap of the provinces is fixed to a stable state. Moreover, real capital stock and taxes have a positive and significant effect, whereas human capital and misery index have a negative and significant effect on economic convergence. Examining the effects of spillovers in 1398 indicated that the spillover effect of banking efficiency on neighboring provinces was positive. Also, with the increase in the distance between the provinces, the spillover effect decreased. In fact, the effects of spillover on neighboring provinces are more than those that are further away.

Financial Performance Analysis of Iranian Private Banks

Volume 2, Issue 3, Summer 2016, Pages 113-138

Mohsen Khoshtinat, Mohammad Taghi Taghavifard, Noshin Nobari

Abstract Today, banks are looking for performance improvement methods to surpass their competitors to increase market share and profitability. Since one of the most important issues and concerns for the banks are profits and returns, they use a variety of methods to attract more customers. Base on this reason, performance evaluation of banks is very crucial and important not only for their investors and depositors, also for their managers. This study examines the factors affecting the profitability of Iranian private banks in the period of 2006 to 2014 and focuses on the financial factors to increase the efficiency by the bank managers. The study is a correlational research and was conducted using analysis of historical data. In this study, according to 3 independent variables (size of the bank, operating efficiency, asset management), 6 hypotheses were formulated. The results show that there exists a significant relationship between the independent variables and profitability criteria (net interest income and return on assets of the banks). To test the research hypotheses, multivariate linear regression and panel data analysis were utilized.

The Impact of Currency Fluctuations on Iran's Banking System Performance

Volume 4, Issue 8, Spring 2018, Pages 81-104

Zahra Zamani, Abolfazl Jannaeti, Maryam Ghorbani

Abstract Nowadays, bank as the most important element of the financial market plays a significant role in the countries' economy especially Iran, which relies on the banking system. So the study of banking system and factors affecting its performance are very important. One of these factors is the exchange rate, a key variable in every economy. In recent years, the exchange rate in the Iranian economy has encountered many fluctuations. Exchange rate fluctuations in developing countries like Iran, due to the lack of developed financial markets, expose these countries to financial crises. The exchange rate fluctuations and the volatility of financial markets can have an unfavorable impression on the stability of banks. This is due to the lack of the ability in eliminating the impact of exchange rate fluctuations even by using the risk management techniques; and on the other hand, developing countries do not have the essential tools to deal with these fluctuations. Thus, these countries are more vulnerable, and more likely exposed to financial crisis. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on the performance of Iranian banking system using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) in dynamic panel data context during 2009-2014. To evaluate the banking performance, two criteria of revenue and asset quality have been considered and for evaluating these criteria accordingly, the ratio of return on assets as well as the ratio of outstanding claims to total paid facilities has been applied.
The results of this study show that the exchange rate volatility has negative significant impact on the return on assets of banks. The exchange rate fluctuations impose different types of risks on banking system such as transaction risk, conversion risk, credit risk, interest rate risk and due to these risks, the profitability of banks decrease. Similarity, exchange rate fluctuations are an effective and positive factor in clarifying the ratio of outstanding claims to the total payable facilities of banks because they lead to create credit risk, and as a result increase outstanding claims of banks.

Shariah Compliance Framework in Compliance with Corporate Governance Principles in Malaysia’s Banking System

Volume 8, Issue 18, Autumn 2022, Pages 29-62

https://doi.org/10.22034/jifb.2022.365426.1388

Amir Takaloo, Mohammad sadegh Abdollahipour, Mostafa Sargolzaei

Abstract In this study, the frameworks of Shariah supervision and specifically, Shariah compliance, have been introduced and examined, and its purpose is to provide a framework that can be used to create a perspective for the culture of Shariah compliance risk in Iran's banking system and at the level of organizational procedures. For this purpose, the structures of Shariah supervision in the countries with the Islamic banking window have been examined from the institutional and instrumental aspects, then relying on numerous international and domestic studies, it has been tried to select the best experience related to the implementation of Shariah Supervision. Until now, comprehensive scientific and executive documentation has not been compiled regarding this issue in Iran as a country that faces challenges in Islamic banking in the form of the law of Usury-Free Banking Operation. Therefore, by using the Future Study method and by choosing the Visioning approach, it has been tried to define and explain a suitable framework to be used to develop a desirable vision for the country. For this purpose, Shariah supervision and its implementation system in Malaysia, where is considered to be leading in the implementation of Islamic banking, it has been examined as a perspective, and by examining the legal and regulatory frameworks, institutional and instrumental capacities, studies and achievements of the Islamic banking system and ongoing and future programs approved by the supervisory body in this country, draws a structure in accordance with the culture of Shariah compliance risk in Malaysia with an emphasis on organizational procedures and it has been introduced as a framework for exploiting the culture of Shariah compliance risk in Iran.

Detoxification of Forfeited Collaterals of Banks Using Murabaha Bonds for Liquidity with Options

Volume 4, Issue 8, Spring 2018, Pages 51-80

Mohammad Naghi Nazarpour, Abbas Dadjouye Tavakoli

Abstract Using a descriptive-analytical method, this study proposes a new method to make profit from forfeited properties that can be employed by the banking system to provide cheap financing. The main hypothesis of this study contends that Murabaha bonds for providing liquidity along with their derived instruments such as legitimate put and call options, with a controlled return risk, can help banks with the frozen profit of forfeited properties and provide cheap financial resources, compared to the current state of the money market. Banks can use this method to sell such assets based on the market rate (calculated through discovering the prices in commodities exchange) and using Murabaha bonds, while postponing the delivery of properties up to two years. This will provide them with the much needed liquidity while taking advantage of the rent until the deadline for delivery, before which, the banks will be entitled to rent out the property according to the contract. At the delivery time, the property will either be handed over to the intermediate company (SPV) to be sold in the market and the sums divided among bond holders; or the manner of final settlement will be determined by granting the rights for call option and put option respectively to the bank and the intermediate company on behalf of the bond holders. Considering that there is no obligation in call and put options as a second contract, Murabaha contract will not lead to Ba'i al-'Ayn (sales in cash of a property just bought on installment).

The Financial Performance Analysis of Private Banks in Islamic Republic of Iran in Comparison with Selected Islamic Banks of Persian Gulf Region

Volume 2, Issue 3, Summer 2016, Pages 33-62

Mohammad Reza Heydari, Sayed Mohammad Fatemi Varzaneh

Abstract Banking system is of great importance in many countries. This system can provide effectiveness in the economy with the proper circulation of money and in the case of improper functioning, the activities of other economic sectors will face difficulties. Although banking without lucre has progresses in theoretical field, but competitiveness ability and its operational aspects is limited in transnational level. Many factors affect on this issue; lack of alignment with Islamic banking standards and operational rules of Basel Committee, political factors such as sanctions and contract compliance risk are challenges that have limited Iranian banking system in communication with other financial institutions and also has limited the improvement of indicators quality. This paper has conducted using a descriptive-analytical method and collecting library and documentary information, and studied the private banks performance of Islamic republic of Iran and Islamic banks of Persian Gulf region, based on CAMEL indexes. The results show that selected Islamic banks in terms of capital adequacy, credit risks, management quality index and liquidity index are in better situation compared to private banks in Iran.

Asset and Liability Management to Control Liquidity Risk in Iran

Volume 4, Autumn, Winter 2019, Pages 1-30

https://doi.org/10.22034/jifb.2019.93911

Mahshid Shahchera, Alireza Dehgan Nayyeri

Abstract Asset and liability management includes a set of specialized tools and techniques to create value for shareholders and control risk. The banking system is the heart of every economic system and its performance is affected by many factors such as liquidity risk. Some of the factors involved in liquidity risk include non-performing loans, capital ratios, and bank size. In this research, we try to examine the relationship between the factors affecting liquidity risk and the indicators of the banking system affecting resource and cost management (equity ratio, return on assets and credit risk). In addition, we have evaluated the impact of macroeconomic variables on bank liquidity risk. Using an econometric model with generalized method of moment (GMM) as an estimation approach, we conclude that there are relationship between these variables (independent variables) and liquidity risk.

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