Khaled Alsaifi
We examine university students’ banking preferences as these new customers choose between Islamic or conventional options. We also explore the reasons behind their banking choices, their perceptions of the differences between these two types of banks and their levels of satisfaction with their choice. We deploy a survey questionnaire to a sample of mixed gender students (n=503). Descriptive statistics analyze whether choices, difference perception and satisfaction are influenced by major program followed. Results show that Islamic banks were the preferred choice among the sample and that this type of bank was chosen for religious reasons. Where students chose conventional banks, social reasons were given. Satisfaction levels were higher among Islamic banking customers. The findings offer fresh insight into the attitudes towards banking among an important subpopulation in Kuwait. Findings also confirm the level of interest among younger banking customers for Islamic banking. The implications will be of interest to those currently offering or seeking to offer banking services to this group as well as researchers working in the field of consumer banking preferences.