Reconciliation or polarization in Islamic bank preference? Socio-political, socio-economic and demographic aspects Eskisehir case in Turkey Etem Hakan Ergec Istanbul Medeniyet Universty, Eskisehir, Turkey Bengül Gülümser Kaytanci Anadolu Universitiy, Eskisehir, Turkey, and Metin Toprak Istanbul University and International University of Sarajevo, Istanbul, Turkey Abstract Purpose – The reasons for Islamic bank preferences have been extensively covered in the literature where religion has been depicted as a strong factor. In the limited number of accounts on this subject in Turkey, it was found that religiosity is a major factor in the selection of Islamic banks. Design/methodology/approach – This study evaluates the fndings of a major feld work performed in the period between March and May 2011 in Eskisehir with the participation of Islamic bank customers. In the study, a sample of 500 respondents was used and a semi-structured survey was conducted. Findings – According to the fndings, religiosity is not the most signifcant and leading factor in Islamic bank preference; instead, it was found as the fourth most important factor. The study fnds that recommendation by friends and relatives is the most signifcant factor for the people in preferring Islamic banks. The nationalist-conservative people make stronger reference to the religiosity as a factor than the secular-modernist and leftist-social democrat people do. Socioeconomic status is not found as a signifcant factor in the Islamic bank preference. People in advanced age, men, people with lower income and businessmen/artisan rely on the religiosity in Islamic bank preference as a factor stronger than people from other backgrounds. Practical implications – In conclusion, it could be said that there is a strong relation of substitution between Islamic banks and conventional banks in Turkey and that the Islamic banks play signifcant role in inclusion of the people staying out of the banking system due to religious concerns and considerations in the fnancial system. Originality/value – It is very comprehensive, both politically and economically, to handle the issue of Islamic banking. Keywords Interest free banking, Islamic fnance, Turkish Islamic economy Paper type Research paper Introduction More than one-fourth of the world population is Muslim, and Islamic rules are becoming more infuential in economic life. At the present time, many conventional banks offer The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: www.emeraldinsight.com/1753-8394.htm Islamic bank preference 67 Received 10 July 2013 Revised 7 May 2015 9 May 2015 Accepted 26 October 2015 International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management Vol. 9 No. 1, 2016 pp. 67-86 © Emerald Group Publishing Limited 1753-8394 DOI 10.1108/IMEFM-07-2013-0082 Downloaded by Professor Metin TOPRAK At 11:01 23 May 2016 (PT)