Trading conditions in the third quarter of 2009 continued to reflect the difficult economic conditions in South Africa, which have resulted in subdued levels of consumer expenditure.
As a result of these pressures, there was a marginal 2% decline in premiums, both for the third quarter 2009 compared to the third quarter 2008, and for 2009 year-to-date compared to 2008 year-to-date, in the corporate, commercial and conventional personal portfolios. Premiums within the personal group schemes portfolio declined by approximately 40% for the year-to-date due to the cancellation of a number of unprofitable schemes during 2008.
