The Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation announced on Thursday its 2015 class of Prime Partner financial institutions: American Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Heartland Bank and Key Bank.
The Foundation created the Prime Partners Program in 2012 to recognize financial institutions offering rates and terms above the minimums required for lawyer and title agent trust accounts, known as IOLTA and IOTA accounts. Interest earned on IOLTA and IOTA accounts is a critical source of funding for Ohio’s legal aids.
In addition to preferred terms and rates, Prime Partner financial institutions also meet the Foundation’s criteria for charitable giving, employee involvement, and corporate support for Ohio Legal Aid.
Since joining the Prime Partner program in late 2014, Heartland Bank has been actively engaged in improving funding for Ohio Legal Aid. “Heartland is proud to support the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation by being a Prime Partner. Knowing that the interest generated is going to defend the defenseless in our community with their civil legal issues is very rewarding and fits our Community Bank mission to support our local communities,” said Heartland Bank President and C.E.O., G. Scott McComb.
American and Fifth Third have earned Prime Partner financial institution status for the third year, and Key Bank has attained Prime Partner status for each of the four years of the program’s existence.
“Our Prime Partner financial institutions demonstrate commitment to ensuring that all Ohioans have a legal voice and access to justice,” said Angela M. Lloyd, Executive Director for the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation. “Ohio’s legal aids value the support of financial institutions that recognize the great need of low-income and vulnerable families, seniors, and veterans in their communities, and the institutions’ dedication to helping address that need.”
Prime Partner financial institutions were promoted by the Foundation to members of the Ohio State Bar Association at the Association’s Annual Meeting and Convention, at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Sandusky April 29 through May 1.