. other disclosures required by swiss law ( i ) expenses total personnel expenses amounted to $ 1.4 billion for the year ended december 31 , 2008 , and $ 1.1 billion for each of the years ended december 31 , 2007 and 2006 . amortization expense related to tangible property amounted to $ 90 million , $ 77 million , and $ 64 million for the years ended december 31 , 2008 , 2007 , and 2006 , respectively