(8) Other operating expenses
| All figures in €‘000 | 1st Quarter 2009 | 1st Quarter 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| IT costs | 11,307 | 10,032 |
| Cost of premises | 5,791 | 5,269 |
| Audit and consultancy costs | 5,458 | 3,310 |
| Training and seminars | 3,398 | 3,006 |
| Communication requirements | 2,091 | 2,142 |
| Banking-related expenses | 1,881 | 2,114 |
| Allowances for bad debts | 1,873 | 2,102 |
| Advertising expenses | 1,638 | 1,733 |
| Representation and entertainment expenses | 1,438 | 1,375 |
| Rental and leasing | 1,331 | 1,293 |
| Expenses for consultants and branch office managers | 635 | 628 |
| Insurances | 610 | 861 |
| Office supplies | 531 | 685 |
| Travel expenses | 464 | 438 |
| Premiums and fees | 459 | 419 |
| Vehicle costs | 409 | 221 |
| Expenses for corporate communications | 407 | 387 |
| Other personnel costs | 373 | 422 |
| Losses on the disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment |
228 | 60 |
| Currency translation expenses | 29 | 152 |
| Share-based payment (convertible debentures) | – | 206 |
| Sundry other operating expenses | 2,303 | 1,874 |
| Total | 42,654 | 38,728 |
The increase in IT costs is primarily due to higher computer centre and consulting expenses in connection with the provision of an expanded spectrum of services as well as the optimization of applications. The auditing and consulting costs contain one-off costs that were incurred for legal and capital market-relevant consulting services in connection with Swiss Life‘s stake in MLP and associated effects. The sundry other operational expenses mainly comprise external services, repairs and maintenance costs, donations, gestures of goodwill as well as other taxes.