The amalgamations of municipalities take place in many countries, including Russia. One of the main reasons for this association is the possibility of solving the financial problems of small municipalities with its help, and increasing the efficiency of the use of budget resources. Does the amalgamation of municipalities achieve these goals? The foreign practice of several decades shows that not always after the merger budget funds begin to be spent more efficiently. Russian practice is not so long yet, but now analysis of budget data (for example, alignment of budgetary provision) shows that such conclusions can also be made in Russia. However, this requires a study of the financial security of the newly created municipalities for several years.

The article studies such important areas as the financial reasons for the transformation of municipalities; financial support of merging municipalities from higher budgets in order to ensure all territories of municipalities that are included in the newly created municipality; financial and legal consequences of such an association, i.e. whether it is really effective, as was stated when deciding on the association; alignment of budgetary provision of municipalities.

It is concluded that it is necessary to consolidate the principle of guaranteeing a municipality in Russian legislation at the federal level if it amalgamates with other municipal entities with financial support at a level not lower than that which it had before the merger. The study results can be used to improve Russian legislation regarding the financial support of municipalities in the process of combining them.

The paper discusses introduction of multiannual budgetary planning and transition to performance budgeting in the Russian Federation. The author describes some results, problems and the future of the reform.

The paper highlights implementation of international experience in the process of the reform. Performance budget is applied in the practice of many countries (the United States, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Slovakia). The Russian Federation has also taken ideas of the new system of budget planning. In the middle of 2000s the Russian Government approved the Conception concerning the reform of budget process in the Russian Federation for the period 2004-2006. It was the start of the reform. However, more than 15 years after the beginning of the reforms the Russian budget legislation and practice are in the process of improving. Foreign and international achievements in the fi eld of performance budgeting could be helpful for Russian budget law. Key words: performance budgeting, medium-term fi nancial planning, budget expenditure, state program, agency target program.

This contribution deals with the system of financial and economic relations, which is evolving due to supervision of digital financial products and services (DFSP). The article presents an overview of the most relevant DFPS and supervisory tools and practices. The contribution aims at analysing an available supervisory toolbox used in different countries. In order to achieve the aim, such methods as logical, systematic functional and situational analysis, as well as grouping and monographic methods, were employed. Digitalisation may boost competition, efficiency and profitability of banking sector and bring benefits to financial entities and customers. Nevertheless, it also carries certain risks posing major challenges to supervisory authorities. They have to find a balance between securing financial stability, protecting customers and fostering innovation.