Real estate investment trusts: Investment approaches and application prospects in the Ukrainian real estate market

Islamic finance has grown rapidly in the recent years particularly in the Middle East and the world. It receives a great attention of bankers and financial scholars due to its stability during financial shocks and crises. The paper uses empirical analysis to test the role of Islamic banking in enhancing the economic growth of United Arab Emirates (UAE). Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Gross formation (GF), and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) are used as representatives for economic growth, while Islamic banks’ investments are used as a representative for Islamic financial sector in the UAE. The study uses time series techniques to test the link between the variables. In the current study, co-integration along with error correction models is utilized. All econometric work is done using Eviews. The findings reveal that the causal relationship between Islamic banks’ investments and economic growth of UAE is supply-leading direction. Furthermore, the findings depict that Islamic investments have contributed in increasing investments and in bringing FDI into the country in the long-term. The study also shows that there is two-way association between Islamic banks’ investments and FDI. It shows that FDI supports Islamic banking and Islamic banking brings FDI. The paper concludes that authorities of the UAE should devote more attention for this growing banking sector by facilitating regulations for establishing new Islamic banks and then creating a suitable environment for their growth and progress in the UAE.

The article examines the influence of the current stage of economy digitalization on the financial inclusion in Ukraine. The purpose is to assess the level of financial inclusion in the country, to determine the dominant influence of price and non-price barriers to access to financial services for the Ukrainian population when compared to other world countries and to define which part of the adult population is able to join the formal financial services system through the use of innovative channels and financial service systems. Based on the methodological approaches proposed by the World Bank and the G20 Financial Inclusion Indicators, the authors analyze the real traditional and digital access opportunities of the general public to financial services in Ukraine compared to other countries across the world. Particular emphasis is placed on overcoming existing non-price barriers that impede formal financial inclusion of the Ukrainian population. The research findings stress the need to adhere to the basic principles of digital financial inclusion in order to regulate activities of financial institutions and their agents in the digital provision of financial services, strengthen regulatory control over the use of innovative financial products and service systems, and protect the rights of consumers of financial services in Ukraine.

This research investigates the relationship between the adoption of internal fintech solutions and the profitability of banks in Kosovo, leveraging the Technology Acceptance Model and Innovation Theory. The study analyzes the impact of mobile banking, e-banking, electronic payment systems, and data analytics on profitability using net interest margin (NIM) and return on assets (ROA) as key metrics. A mixed-method approach was adopted, combining audited financial report data from Kosovo’s commercial banks with survey data to ensure comprehensive analysis. To explore this relationship, a structured questionnaire was administered to 169 bank employees across 10 commercial banks in Kosovo. The sample included professionals from finance, technology, credit analysis, and customer service departments, chosen for their direct involvement in fintech adoption and its implementation. This selection ensured insights from individuals who actively engage with fintech tools and their impact on bank operations. Findings reveal that fintech adoption impacts profitability based on focus. Investments in operational efficiency negatively affect ROA (β = –0.079, p < 0.001), while fintech adoption targeting business opportunities, credit cost reduction, and customer understanding improves ROA and NIM. Business opportunities enhance ROA (β = 0.053, p < 0.01) and NIM (β = 0.098, p < 0.001), while customer understanding increases ROA (β = 0.143, p < 0.001). Mobile banking, digital lending, and bank age also show positive effects.