This study examines the impact of switching barriers comprises of complexity, switching cost, locked-in, and apathy on the switching decision. The data were collected through a survey questionnaire from three cities (Muscat, Salalah, and Sohar) with a sample of 420 respondents. The participants were Omani nationals only. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) Analysis using SPSS and AMOS software. The data were tested for the normality, descriptive analysis, reliability, correlation, exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The result of the switching barriers indicates that apathy fail to influence the negative relationship with switching decision. However, switching cost, complexity and locked in had a negative impact on the decision to switch that creates barriers among the customers while switching from conventional banking to Islamic banking system. The study concludes that the government, management, and Shariah board of the Islamic banks should focus on establishing a robust and dynamic Islamic banking, which caters for customers’ needs. Finally, Islamic banking products and service, financial and non-financial strategies should address the customers’ financial needs and provide comprehensive banking services.

Managing bad loans or Non-Performing Loans (NPL) is a deep-rooted and persistent issue of many emerging economies. Banks are experiencing NPLs which eventually are affecting the profitability of the banks. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of factors of economic growth on NPLs of an emerging economy. In this study, GDP growth rate, real interest rate, inflation rate, one period lag value of NPL and unemployment rate are used as independent variables and ratio of Non-Performing Loans (NPL) to Total Loans is used as dependent variable. Data was collected from World Bank Open Data for Bangladesh and Bangladesh Bank for the year 1990 to 2018. The study employs multiple regression analysis and Multicollinearity test is also performed to test whether there is any strong correlation among the independent variables. This study reveals that NPLs rate can be significantly influenced by unemployment rate, inflation rate, real interest rate and one period lag value of NPL. However, GDP growth rate is found to be insignificant to NPLs rate in Bangladesh. This study might help policymakers to manage NPLs rate of Bangladesh in a better way to ensure sustainability of banks in future.

The SME sector is the most critical client for bank financing, particularly in commercial business banking. A dual banking system in which Islamic and conventional financial institutions coexist makes the financial market more competitive. To ensure that Islamic financial products and services can compete with the existing market, Islamic banking management must ensure that its services, particularly in the SME sector, have a place. Knowing the banking product preferences of those firms is one of the steps that should be taken. As a result, this study will develop a conceptual framework for the product range of Islamic banking products to investigate the SME owner's preference for Islamic SME financing. The product range of this range will be strengthened further with the theoretical support of planned behavior from the Managerial perspective among SMEs.

Trade and commercial activities are the foundation and supporting pillars of the global economy. It is through trade, particularly international trade, that a country’s economy is developed and sustained. It is a fact that FinTech platforms help financial service providers to become more time and cost-efficient in delivering trade finance services, however, the moves come with a high price. As the system becomes complex, the risks associated with it are also high due to systemic vulnerabilities, hackers and security hurdles. This current state requires more rigorous risk identification and management systems along with proficient internal control system, especially for international trade and trade financing. It has propelled many financial intermediaries to be more competitive in committing to the development of digitised channels and propositions, preparing to cede market share to a new generation of providers that have already seized the imperative to respond to market evolution in international trade. The main aim of this paper is to explore how far can FinTech platforms help the financial service providers to be more efficient in providing their services to the end-user while at the same time be excellent to harness the possibilities of cyber and FinTech risk in this digital era. The study reviews past studies done in this area, especially on the risks and challenges, the prospects and opportunities of FinTechs in trade financing and its ability to cope with the risks inherent in FinTech solutions. The findings show that the benefits of FinTech platforms outweigh the shortcomings and with sustained collaboration, standardization and a holistic approach to the development of FinTech solutions, the risks of digital transformations can be considerably reduced.