just a few states require the escrow accounts to pay interest recently confirmed with BofA that their escrow accounts in CA pay 2.0% interest - not too shabby
The amount of your monthly mortgage payment that is for taxes and insurance is placed by your mortgage company into an escrow account. The funds can be used only to pay taxes and insurance on your behalf. http://www.fanniemae.com/kb/index?page=home&c=homebuyers_unders