In recent years, both conventional and Islamic banks in the GCC countries have faced increased competition amid a challenging economic environment; this has been against a backdrop of liquidity pressures (especially in the relatively smaller banks), increasing operating costs and asset quality that is not improving. ASAD AHMED delves further. Currently, the GCC is overbanked for the current population as both retail and commercial banking customers across the region have a wealth of choice of both international and local lenders;....