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This paper aims to compare the effects of Islamic and commercial banks on economic growth among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries during 2001–2009 (before and during the financial crisis) and 2010–2017 (after the financial crisis).

The authors use a cross-sectionally correlated and timewise autoregressive (CCTA) model. The authors also extend the theoretical endogenous growth model developed by Pagano (1993) by introducing the developments in Islamic and commercial financial markets.

The authors find that Islamic banks fueled economic growth more than conventional banks before and after the financial crisis. The authors conclude that finance is a major determinant of economic growth, but finance does not follow economic growth. The results show that the ethical principles of Islamic finance can positively affect economic growth.

The authors contribute to the empirical literature first by examining feedback causality and cointegration between the banking sector and economic growth by examining the impact of the interaction between the banking sector and rule of law on economic growth in the GCC countries instead of a single country, second by providing both of the theoretical and empirical analysis and third by distinguishing between Islamic and conventional banks.