Association of Banks of Russia (Association "Russia") was established in December, 1990. Association "Russia" is the first federal banking union consolidating efforts of Russian banking community, building partnerships between banks and the state Government, regulatory and supervisory authorities, actively protecting legislative rights and interests of banks and providing solution of the priority issues of banking business, including the development of the regulatory framework, reducing the administrative burden from government agencies, as well as problems associated with requirements to increase equity, non-core assets, reducing risk, increasing the level of financial literacy and confidence to the banking system. Today Association "Russia" is a leading expert and analytical centre of banking community. The Association "Russia" is actively involved in the development of legislative and regulatory framework, determining the conditions of credit institutions activity. Suggestions of the Association were included into the laws on banks and banking activities, on deposit insurance and on credit reference bureaus. Many of the Association’s initiatives were included into the Strategy of the Russian banking sector development until 2015, approved by the Government of the Russian Federation. The Association is a leader in organizing of public events, specialized forums, conferences, seminars, round tables and workshops on topical problems of the banking system.