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IOLTA

BANKING ON JUSTICE: IOLTA PROGRAM

The DC Bar Foundation administers the District’s Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Program, a program created by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in 1985. Through this program, the Foundation receives the interest from thousands of pooled bank accounts and distributes it within the community for legal aid.

Lawyers admitted to practice in the District of Columbia are required to hold IOLTA-eligible funds in an interest-bearing trust account remitting to the DC Bar Foundation, with some limited exceptions.

This revenue helps people with low incomes in the District get help with civil legal problems affecting their most basic needs, such as access to food, shelter, jobs, and safety.

To offer IOLTA accounts, a bank must be approved as a depository by the DC Bar Board on Professional Responsibility. Inclusion as an institution approved by the DC Bar Board of Professional Responsibility does not imply an endorsement of the institution's safety and soundness or its other banking practices.

DC Prime Partner banks have committed to supporting legal services in our community by offering strongly favorable rates. These financial institutions are going above and beyond to be partners in our community. 

REMITTANCE PORTAL

IOLTA Secure File Transfer System

Participating DC financial institutions should use this portal to upload their periodic remittance reports. Please enter your password on the next page, called File Receive Folder, and then follow the instructions to upload your file. If you have forgotten your password or have any trouble with the upload, please contact us at 202-476-3750 or iolta@dcbarfoundation.org.

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