The subprime mortgages crisis and Islamic securitization

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight of Islamic securitization based onsukukstructures. Design/methodology/approach - Descriptive, analytical, and comparative analyses are used to discuss the risk‐sharing behaviour in Islamic securitization through different structures ofmudharabahandmusharakah sukukderived from asset securitization. Findings - The paper reveals that althoughsukukare structured in a similar way to conventional asset‐backed securities, they can have significantly different underlying structures, provisions andshariah‐compliant. In particular, it prohibits the receipt and payment of interest and stipulates that income must be derived from an underlying real business risk rather than as a guaranteed return from interest. With regards tosukuksecuritization, an asset is one of the vital elements that should exist as an evidence to support the process and make it permissible in Islam. In terms of Islamic securitization mechanism, it can be divided into two principles, namely, debt based and partnership. This paper further emphasizes thatsukukstructures based on partnership principle is regarded as risk sharing rather than risk shifting, where it works by combining risk‐exposures in such a way that they offset one another to some degree. Accordingly, overall risk will be less than total risks on individual basis. Practical implications - This paper has important implication for the understanding of risk management practices particularly in structuringsukuk. Banks as originators and special purpose vehicles (SPV) as issuers, might consider moresukukon partnership principles since it directed towards risk‐sharing concept that could lead to increase mobilization of savings and investment. As for the investors orsukukholders, the partnership principle could generate the wealth creation, which to be shared between both investors (fund providers) and issuers (fund users), while both bear the risks involved and the resulting loss. Originality/value - The paper will fill the gap in the existing literature of Islamic finance by showing that Islamic securitization viasukukis a viable source of funds that could help stabilize the securities market, and as solution to the current subprime mortgages financial crisis.