Productivity of Islamic and Conventional Banks in Malaysia –During the Pre and Post Global Financial Crisis

The global financial crisis has evidenced sluggish progress in the growth of Malaysian banking sector's assets, deposits, and loans. The scenario could have affMalmquist Productivity Indexected the productivity of Malaysian banks which consists of Islamic and conventional banks. This study aims to evaluate and distinguish the productivity change of 17 Malaysian Islamic banks and 21 conventional banks during the pre and post global financial crisis. To estimate total productivity change of both type of banks, this study employs the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) method. In calculating the MPI, the study considers total deposits, personnel expenses and fixed assets as the inputs while for the outputs, the study considers loans, investment and non-interest income. The empirical results reveal that the Islamic and conventional banks have been productive throughout the period of observation. However, the results pointed out that Islamic banks have been more productive than its conventional counterparts. Interestingly, the study indicates that both Islamic and conventional banks have failed to operate at an optimal scale of operations. This could have negative effect on the productivity level of these banks. Furthermore, the recent global financial crisis has negative impact on the productivity level of Islamic and conventional banks in Malaysia.