Paper Title
ISLAMIC FINTECH AS A CATALYST FOR SUSTAINABLE FINANCIAL BEHAVIOR: EVIDENCE FROM GCC ISLAMIC BANK CONSUMERS

Abstract
This study examines the relationship between Islamic fintech, Islamic financial literacy, and religiosity, and their impact on sustainable Islamic financial transactions within the context of Islamic banking in the GCC region. Using a quantitative research approach, data were collected from customers of Islamic banks in Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. The findings provide nuanced insights. First, Islamic financial literacy is found to have no direct influence on Sharia-compliant financial transactions in GCC Islamic banks. Second, religiosity is shown to have no direct effect on such transactions. Third, while religiosity does not exert a direct impact on Islamic fintech, Islamic financial literacy is identified as a significant factor influencing Islamic fintech adoption. Moreover, Islamic fintech emerges as a key driver of Sharia-compliant financial transactions and is found to mediate the relationship between Islamic financial literacy and financial transactions. However, no mediating effect is observed in the relationship between religiosity and Sharia-compliant financial transactions. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature on sustainable Islamic banking by clarifying the complex dynamics among Islamic fintech, financial literacy, and religiosity, and their roles in shaping financial behavior within GCC Islamic banks. Keywords - Islamic Fintech, Financial Literacy, Religiosity and Sustainable Financial Behaviour