Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has announced the launch of a new investment product, a five-year sukuk offering, catering to the growing demand for Sharia-compliant financial instruments. This issuance marks an expansion of SIB's investment options and strengthens their position as a leading Islamic financial institution in the region.
The sukuk, Islamic bonds that represent ownership of underlying assets, will have a maturity period of five years. The total value of the offering is expected to be around $500 million, denominated in US dollars. SIB has appointed a consortium of banks to manage the issuance process, including Standard Chartered Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, and HSBC as joint global coordinators. Several other regional and international banks will also participate as joint lead managers and bookrunners.
According to reports, the initial price guidance for the sukuk has been set at around 140 basis points over US Treasuries, which are considered benchmark securities. This indicates the expected return that investors can receive on the sukuk compared to US government bonds.
The issuance will take place under SIB's $3 billion trust certificate issuance program, which allows the bank to offer a variety of Sharia-compliant financial instruments to investors. Sukuk are an attractive option for investors seeking ethical and Sharia-compliant returns on their investments. The underlying assets of a sukuk can vary, but they must comply with Islamic principles, which prohibit earning interest. Instead, sukuk holders receive periodic rental payments or profits from the underlying assets.
Sharjah Islamic Bank's decision to launch a new sukuk offering reflects the growing demand for Islamic finance globally. Islamic finance is a rapidly expanding sector, driven by a rising Muslim population and increasing awareness of Sharia-compliant financial instruments. Sukuk offer a wider range of investment opportunities for investors seeking to align their financial goals with their ethical values.
The success of SIB's sukuk issuance will depend on several factors, including market conditions, investor appetite for Sharia-compliant products, and the overall performance of the sukuk. However, the bank's strong reputation in the Islamic finance sector and the attractive features of the sukuk are likely to generate significant interest from investors.
This new offering by Sharjah Islamic Bank is expected to contribute to the development of the Islamic finance market and provide investors with a new avenue for Sharia-compliant investments.