DES MOINES, Iowa — More interest is building on the use ofinterest on lawyers' trust accounts or IOLTAs with the latestmovement occurring in Iowa.

With IOLTAs, attorneys routinely hold funds in trust for clientsto pay costs related to legal services such as court filings,depositions and business transactions. If these funds are large orheld for a long period of time, the attorney may deposit them in aninterest-bearing account at a credit union or bank for the benefitof the client. Interest from collective, short-term trust accountsis paid to a non-profit foundation for programs such as providinglegal services to the poor.

The Iowa Supreme Court is currently accepting grant applicationsto help provide legal services to the poor in civil cases viaIOLTAs. Last year, the court awarded more than $1.3 million tovarious programs in the state, according to Iowa Representative BobKressig, (D-Cedar Falls), who serves on the board at $1.3 billionVeridian CU.