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What would it take to start a bank that didn't charge interest? Is it possible?

What would it take to start a bank that didn't charge interest? Is it possible?
[–] 2 pts

Ignoring the “judeo-Christian” answering your question:

Lending without usury requires a method of profiting from the loan. Profit itself is not evil; it’s the means by which one makes the profit that can be.

To achieve usury-free lending, one could offer a simple up front ratio - if you want to borrow ten thousand, you can either pay $800 up front or $1000 at the end of the loan.

Additionally, lending would need to require specie for the amount lent, thus preventing artificial and inflationary lending. I would not be alllowed to borrow at a preferred borrower rate of $500 per $1000, incurring my own debt, and then passing on a worse ratio to you simply due to my better connections.

Finally, debts must not be transferable. Since debt is the absence of wealth, it should not be classified as an asset, and therefore cannot be sold to another lender.

By preventing the compounding of interest through transparent ratios, halting the practice of monetizing debt, as well as requiring that I cover all debts at time of lending with my own wealth promotes an honest system whereby the lender can reap profits for his risk and borrowers can trust their lenders based on square and clear terms and dealing.

[–] 1 pt

Profit would have to come from an up front loan processing fee structure, and collateral liquidation of defaulted loans.

Otherwise, what incentive is there to be a bank?

[–] 2 pts

Is that how the "halal" banks work? I know in some muslim circles, interest isn't allowed.

[–] 3 pts

From UIF's FAQ page:

How is it different from a conventional transaction? A conventional bank issues you a loan of money to buy a house, and then charges interest on the loan. This is not permissible under Islam because it is clear interest. UIF offers an alternative financing model called Musharaka (Partnership). UIF buys the property with you and sells it’s ownership to you and you pay UIF a profit for using the property. There is no interest involved. UIF is simply buying and selling a house to you.

It's weird sounding, but at the same time, sounds much better than a mortgage. Reading it several times, it sounds like they are just playing word games.

[–] 1 pt

IDK how halal banks are structured.

Profit has to come from somewhere to incentivize being a bank, beyond the cost of takng risk, employees, buildings, taxes, etc.

Halal banking may explain a part of why the ME region is relatively undeveloped, backward and without a vibrant middle class. Borrowers must be scrutinized more harshly?

[–] 1 pt

No clue how they work. I read that they can now be found in the US, as there is demand for those types of products. Don't even know if "bank" is the correct term for them.

[–] 0 pt

What would it take to start a bank that didn't charge interest? Is it possible?

I heard about a guy named Satoshi who tried that once

[–] 0 pt

Even if you were in a hypothetical society, why would people give up use of their wealth with nothing in return? If banks couldn't charge interest, people would just invest instead. Banks (in the ideal sense) do the same, loaning money out at interest and paying some to depositors.