Licence holders are assigned to a certain category and supervised accordingly, depending on their potential risk impact on creditors, investors, the system as a whole and the reputation of the Swiss financial centre. Licence holders of major and global systemic importance exposed to significant risks are assigned to category 1. The risk potential of the institutions in the other categories decreases gradually down to category 5.
FinIA and CISA licence holders are assigned to supervisory categories 4 and 5. Fund management companies and asset managers with assets under management and/or administration of CHF 30 bn or more are allocated to the supervisory category 4. As well as being assigned to a risk category, each licence holder is given a periodic rating which reflects FINMA's assessment of its current situation, especially as regards its financial circumstances, organization, managed products and the adherence to conduct rules.