Please answer the given financial question based on the context.
Context: operating expenses operating expenses were $ 2.9 billion , an increase of 8% ( 8 % ) over 2000 . adjusted for the formation of citistreet , operating expenses grew 10% ( 10 % ) . expense growth in 2001 of 10% ( 10 % ) is significantly lower than the comparable 20% ( 20 % ) expense growth for 2000 compared to 1999 . state street successfully reduced the growth rate of expenses as revenue growth slowed during the latter half of 2000 and early 2001 . the expense growth in 2001 reflects higher expenses for salaries and employee benefits , as well as information systems and communications . o p e r a t i n g e x p e n s e s ( dollars in millions ) 2001 2000 1999 change adjusted change 00-01 ( 1 ) .
|( dollars in millions )|2001|2000|1999|change 00-01|adjusted change 00-01 ( 1 )|
|salaries and employee benefits|$ 1663|$ 1524|$ 1313|9% ( 9 % )|11% ( 11 % )|
|information systems and communications|365|305|287|20|22|
|transaction processing services|247|268|237|-8 ( 8 )|-7 ( 7 )|
|occupancy|229|201|188|15|16|
|other|363|346|311|5|7|
|total operating expenses|$ 2867|$ 2644|$ 2336|8|10|
|number of employees|19753|17604|17213|12||
( 1 ) 2000 results adjusted for the formation of citistreet expenses related to salaries and employee benefits increased $ 139million in 2001 , or $ 163millionwhen adjusted for the formation of citistreet . the adjusted increase reflects more than 2100 additional staff to support the large client wins and new business from existing clients and acquisitions . this expense increase was partially offset by lower incentive-based compensation . information systems and communications expense was $ 365 million in 2001 , up 20% ( 20 % ) from the prior year . adjusted for the formation of citistreet , information systems and communications expense increased 22% ( 22 % ) . this growth reflects both continuing investment in software and hardware , aswell as the technology costs associated with increased staffing levels . expenses related to transaction processing services were $ 247 million , down $ 21 million , or 8% ( 8 % ) . these expenses are volume related and include external contract services , subcustodian fees , brokerage services and fees related to securities settlement . lower mutual fund shareholder activities , and lower subcustodian fees resulting from both the decline in asset values and lower transaction volumes , drove the decline . occupancy expensewas $ 229million , up 15% ( 15 % ) . the increase is due to expenses necessary to support state street 2019s global growth , and expenses incurred for leasehold improvements and other operational costs . other expenses were $ 363 million , up $ 17 million , or 5% ( 5 % ) . these expenses include professional services , advertising and sales promotion , and internal operational expenses . the increase over prior year is due to a $ 21 million increase in the amortization of goodwill , primarily from acquisitions in 2001 . in accordance with recent accounting pronouncements , goodwill amortization expense will be eliminated in 2002 . state street recorded approximately $ 38 million , or $ .08 per share after tax , of goodwill amortization expense in 2001 . state street 2019s cost containment efforts , which reduced discretionary spending , partially offset the increase in other expenses . state street corporation 9 .
Question: what was the value , in billions of dollars , of operating expenses in 2000?


Answer: The answer is:0.02898