This article examines the classifi cation of a number of intergovernmental associations of economic and fi nancial orientation that arise as the result of a crisis. Intergovernmental associations with an international legal identity are divided into two main types: international organizations and interstate associations of the “club” kind. The article pays special attention to the institutionalization of the business community in the framework of the structures under consideration. The author acknowledges the special interest due the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Group of Twenty (G-20) as representatives of two types of associations with a universal mandate and criterial membership that are capable of dealing with various diffi cult issues, from political and economic questions to matters relating to ecological safety, by marshalling for this purpose the available power, fi nancial and analytical resources of the member states. The author emphasizes that in comparison with other international associations examined, the format of the business community’s participation in the work of the OECD and the G-20 is the most institutionalized.