We are reporting on SiO2-Al2O3-La2O3 glasses with and without Yb2O3 suitable for nonlinear and fiber laser applications. The glass compositions were optimized in terms of thermal and optical requirements for both a high La2O3 and Yb2O3 concentration and a good compatibility with a silica cladding. Bulk samples, unstructured fibers and structured fibers with a SiO2-Al2O3-La2O3 core and silica cladding were produced. Successful supercontinuum generation and fiber laser operation around 1060 nm in step-index fibers will be presented here.