IslamicFinance.de

In #Kenya the Sharia-compliant lender First Community Bank (FCB) has laid off a third of its workforce as effects of the recent capping of interest rates continue to shake the banking industry. The lender’s staff costs stood at Sh241.4 million as at June 2016 which rose to Sh365.2 million at the end of September, prompting action by the bank’s management. The bank, which received a regulatory approval in May 2007 to start Sharia-compliant banking, last week reported a 16.2% jump in quarter-three net profit to Sh74.4 million. FCB is one of four banks that recently announced staff cuts as a reaction to the biting interest regulations on loans and deposits. The other three banks are Sidian Bank, Family Bank and Ecobank.

First Community Bank (FCB) has introduced an Islamic-compliant unit trust underlining the growing list of Islamic products targeting the Muslim market.
The firm has received approval from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) to rollout the fund, which will make selective investments in equities, government bonds and real estate options that are Sharia-compliant.