Strategic Report Strategic Report Strategic Report Financial Additional Overview Strategy Performance Governance Statements Information 23. Salaries and Other Employee Benefits, and General and Administrative Expenses Salaries and other employee benefits 2018 2017 2016 Salaries and bonuses (210,227) (192,124) (163,524) Social security costs (3,725) (3,034) (2,333) Pension costs (809) (836) (717) Salaries and other employee benefits (214,761) (195,994) (166,574) The average number of staff employed by the Group for the years ended 31 December 2018, 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016 comprised: 2018 2017 2016 The Bank 5,651 5,248 4,729 BNB 699 655 575 Other 885 819 782 Average total number of staff employed 7,235 6,722 6,086 Salaries and bonuses include GEL 46,619, GEL 48,823 and GEL 40,163 of the Equity Compensation Plan costs for the years ended 31 December 2018, 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016, respectively, associated with the existing share-based compensation scheme approved in the Group (Notes 26 and 30). General and administrative expenses 2018 2017 2016 Total Total Total Occupancy and rent (27,000) (23,569) (18,776) Marketing and advertising (15,198) (14,112) (11,833) Legal and other professional services (13,613) (9,763) (10,226) Repairs and maintenance (13,422) (12,888) (10,387) Operating taxes (8,360) (7,404) (6,568) Office supplies (6,275) (6,017) (4,823) Corporate hospitality and entertainment (5,883) (5,263) (4,896) Communication (5,611) (5,565) (4,920) Personnel training and recruitment (5,974) (3,418) (1,646) Insurance (2,716) (3,262) (1,529) Security (2,872) (2,237) (1,562) Travel expenses (1,887) (1,791) (1,214) Other (3,843) (3,083) (1,772) General and administrative expenses (112,654) (98,372) (80,152) Annual Report 2018Bank of Georgia Group PLC 249