What is peoples' perception about Islamic banking Outside the Middle East?

There are few numbers of studies about customers’ perceptions toward Islamic banking services. The 

studies of Erol and El-Bdour (1989) and Erol et al. (1990) are considered as the earliest which investigated the 

factors that influence customers to choose Islamic banking. Using both conventional and Islamic bank 

customers as the respondents, the study found that the provision of a fast and efficient service, bank’s 

reputation and confidentiality were the most important bank selection criteria for customers who patronize 

Islamic banks. In their studies, religion was found to play a less important role in customers’ decisions to

transact with the Islamic bank. 

It is very interesting question. However, there is a need to investigate the perception because we cannot simply tell about it. So far, I did not see any perception study of Middle East outsiders in particular America or Europe. There are some studies in Malaysia that investigated this issue among the Muslim and Non-Muslim customers/stakeholders. I can tell you that the perception is positive and reasonable among them.  

Islam banking is becoming the new banking facility in the country that I live - Ethiopia. Two commercial banks started this service together with the other ordinary banking service. people still question the benefits that the service provide for depositors and loan takers. Information is not available on the full scale of the banking service. 

In near future the service will attract most Muslim bank users. There are signs that these group of society showing interest on the matter and the way it supports and facilitate the service.