IslamicFinance.de

David Loundy, Chairman and CEO of Devon Bank in the US, scored the highest mark on the Certified Islamic Finance Executive (CIFE) examination to win Ethica's "Weekend in Dubai" competition. Among the prizes are an internship at an Islamic bank, airfare to Dubai, accommodation, and meetings with Islamic finance scholars and bankers. David commented that Ethica's CIFE program has allowed him to put together a "proto-Islamic bank" upon completing the program that commenced formal operations January 1, 2016 as Abraham's River, a liquidity source and investment company for non-interest based finance. Ethica and Devon Bank are now working together to help make Abraham's River an interest-free vehicle for the entire US. Ethica's prize also included a free internship at an Islamic bank which David donated to the second-highest scorer.

Islamic banks are beginning to make inroads into the banking scene in the US. Chicago-based Devon bank, for example, has transformed itself into an interest-free financing establishment, with Islamic financing accounting for more than 75 percent of the bank's mortgage portfolio. Giant financial institutions in the US now have their own Sharia advisory boards, while banks like Devon Bank in Chicago, with relatively small assets, rely on opinions from the Sharia Advisory Board of America. Muslims in America are becoming a significant demographic force, so Islamic banking is here to stay and offers a lot of potential.

Jessica Mador reported on 1 March on Minnesota Public Radio that the state's housing agency Minnesota Housing is launching a new program offering Islamic mortgages.

Chicago-based Devon Bank is underwriting the loans for the New Markets program. Devon is one of the largest Islamic lenders in the country. Corporate Counsel David Loundy says he expects the demand for Islamic financing to grow as more Muslims make their home in the U.S. Loundy says Muslims tend to be good risks.