The amount of IOLTA income depends on interest rates paid on the accounts. When rates drop and stay low, as they did from the beginning of 2001 until the middle of 2003, IOLTA revenue declines. Though interest rates are slowly increasing in 2005, the effects of the historically low interest rates will be felt for some time. Many IOLTA programs have been forced to reduce grants to legal aid providers, in many cases by very large percentages.

To offset revenue declines, IOLTA programs throughout the country negotiate with financial institutions to reduce service charges and increase interest rates on IOLTA accounts. Working with banks and attorneys helps ensure that IOLTA generates as much funding as possible for legal aid for those who have nowhere else to turn.