(8) Other operating expenses
| All figures in €‘000 | 3rd quarter 2009 | 3rd quarter 2008 | 9 months 2009 | 9 months 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT costs | 12,120 | 12,270 | 34,766 | 33,598 |
| Cost of premises | 5,812 | 5,831 | 17,202 | 16,657 |
| Audit and consultancy costs | 1,306 | 3,010 | 8,781 | 10,037 |
| Training and seminars | 1,456 | 3,711 | 6,646 | 10,037 |
| Communication requirements | 2,591 | 2,042 | 6,196 | 7,273 |
| Banking-related expenses | 1,959 | 2,122 | 6,129 | 6,104 |
| Allowances for bad debts | 2,666 | 1,918 | 5,917 | 5,593 |
| Advertising expenses | 1,696 | 1,960 | 5,759 | 6,543 |
| Rental and leasing | 1,368 | 1,258 | 4,084 | 3,737 |
| Representation and entertainment expenses | 902 | 2,041 | 3,618 | 5,223 |
| Expenses for consultants and branch office managers | 979 | 1,147 | 2,669 | 4,011 |
| Insurances | 476 | 492 | 1,896 | 1,938 |
| Premiums and fees | 608 | 255 | 1,516 | 1,009 |
| Office supplies | 435 | 620 | 1,448 | 2,168 |
| Travel expenses | 488 | 652 | 1,416 | 1,920 |
| Vehicle costs | 357 | 400 | 1,121 | 1,021 |
| Other personnel costs | 232 | 487 | 877 | 1,538 |
| Expenses for corporate communications | 196 | 408 | 691 | 1,198 |
| Losses on the disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment | 30 | 21 | 289 | 97 |
| Currency translation expenses | –10 | 56 | 41 | 251 |
| Share-based payment (convertible debentures) |
– | 111 | – | 513 |
| Sundry other operating expenses | 1,466 | 2,735 | 5,773 | 6,286 |
| Total | 37,133 | 43,548 | 116,835 | 126,753 |
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 audit and consultancy costs include one-off expenses in connection with the stake held by Swiss Life amounting to € 2.9 million. Expenses for training and seminars were reduced due to the implementation of costsaving measures within the sales area. Reductions in expenses for training and seminars as well as for representation and entertainment were achieved due to the implementation of savings measures in the sales area. The decrease in advertising expenditure is attributable to less advertising as well as to reduced sponsoring and cooperation engagements. The sundry other operational expenses mainly comprise external services, repairs and maintenance costs, donations, gestures of goodwill as well as other taxes.