Alerus Financial Corporation Reports First Quarter 2026 Net Income of $23.0 Million

MINNEAPOLIS, April 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alerus Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: ALRS), or the Company, reported net income of $23.0 million for the first quarter of 2026, or $0.89 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $33.1 million, or $(1.27) per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2025, and net income of $13.3 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2025. 

CEO Comments

President and Chief Executive Officer Katie O’Neill Lorenson said, “We are pleased with the strong start to 2026, as our first quarter results reflect continued execution of our long-term strategy and the tangible benefits of the transformation we have undertaken over the past several years. Net income for the quarter was $23.0 million, translating to a return on average assets of 1.79% and a return on average tangible common equity exceeding 21%, demonstrating the earnings power of our diversified business model. Profitability continued to improve during the quarter, driven by disciplined balance-sheet management, expanding margins, improving credit performance, and focused investments across the franchise.

“Our performance underscores the resilience and sustainability of our earnings profile. Core relationship-based commercial and industrial lending continued to grow at a double-digit rate year-over-year, while intentional runoff reflected proactive risk and capital management. Our diversified fee-based businesses again provided stability, with noninterest income representing over 40% of total revenue, supported by steady retirement and benefit services revenues, continued growth in Health Savings Accounts, and ongoing investment in wealth advisory services leadership and talent. Asset quality also improved during the quarter, with declines in nonperforming assets reflecting meaningful progress on previously identified credits.

“Most importantly, these results are a testament to the exceptional team we have built at Alerus and the constant execution of our strategy of our value creation strategy. Together, our discipline, collaboration, and commitment to doing the right thing for our clients and communities continues to translate into consistent performance, strengthening returns, and a balanced business model we believe is well positioned to deliver sustained, long-term returns for our shareholders.”

First Quarter Highlights

  • Earnings per diluted common share of $0.89. Adjusted earnings per diluted common share(1) of $0.89, compared to adjusted earnings per diluted common share(1) of $0.85 in the fourth quarter of 2025.
  • Return on average total assets of 1.79%. Adjusted return on average total assets(1) of 1.79%, compared to 1.62% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
  • Return on average tangible common equity of 21.85%. Adjusted return on average tangible common equity(1) of 21.96%, compared to 21.05% in the fourth quarter of 2025. 
  • Noninterest income was $30.8 million, which represented 40.72% of total revenue.
  • Net interest margin (on a tax-equivalent basis)(1) was 3.77%, an increase compared to 3.69% in the fourth quarter of 2025. 
  • Total deposits were $4.3 billion as of March 31, 2026, an increase of $155.9 million, or 3.7%, from December 31, 2025. Core commercial transactional deposits were $1.8 billion as of March 31, 2026, an increase of $143.2 million, or 8.6%, from December 31, 2025. Synergistic deposits were $742.7 million as of March 31, 2026, an increase of $16.8 million, or 2.3%, from December 31, 2025. Health Savings Account balances drove most of the increase, up $14.5 million, or 7.1%, from December 31, 2025.
  • The loan to deposit ratio was 92.8% as of March 31, 2026, compared to 96.6% as of December 31, 2025.
  • Efficiency ratio(1) of 63.39%. Adjusted efficiency ratio of 63.20% compared to adjusted efficiency ratio of 63.55% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
  • Pre-provision net revenue(1) was $25.4 million. Adjusted pre-provision net revenue(1) was $25.5, an increase of 0.9% from $25.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. 
  • Nonperforming assets were $54.0 million as of March 31, 2026, a decrease of $15.4 million, or 22.1%, from $69.4 million as of December 31, 2025.
  • Repurchased $6.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock at an average per share price of $23.90, reducing common shares outstanding by 250,000 shares at quarter end.
  • Tangible book value per common share(1) was $18.15 as of March 31, 2026, an increase of 3.4% from $17.55 as of December 31, 2025. 
  • Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio(1) was 8.85% as of March 31, 2026, an increase from 8.72% as of December 31, 2025. 

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(1)   Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliations and Calculation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

       
Selected Financial Data (unaudited)
 
       
    As of and for the  
    Three months ended  
    March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)   2026     2025     2025  
Performance Ratios                        
Return on average total assets     1.79 %     (2.50 )%     1.02 %
Adjusted return on average total assets (1)     1.79 %     1.62 %     1.10 %
Return on average common equity     16.44 %     (23.75 )%     10.82 %
Return on average tangible common equity (1)     21.85 %     (28.15 )%     16.50 %
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity (1)     21.96 %     21.05 %     17.61 %
Noninterest (loss) income as a % of revenue     40.72 %     (449.23 )%     40.17 %
Adjusted noninterest (loss) income as a % of revenue (1)     40.73 %     41.39 %     40.17 %
Net interest margin (on a tax-equivalent basis)(1)     3.77 %     3.69 %     3.41 %
Efficiency ratio (1)     63.39 %     557.48 %     68.76 %
Adjusted efficiency ratio (1)     63.20 %     63.55 %     66.86 %
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans (1)     0.71 %     (0.03 )%     0.04 %
Dividend payout ratio     23.60 %     (16.54 )%     38.46 %
Per Common Share                        
Earnings (loss) per common share – basic   $ 0.90     $ (1.28 )   $ 0.52  
Earnings (loss) per common share – diluted   $ 0.89     $ (1.27 )   $ 0.52  
Adjusted earnings per common share – diluted (1)   $ 0.89     $ 0.85     $ 0.56  
Dividends declared per common share   $ 0.21     $ 0.21     $ 0.20  
Book value per common share   $ 22.79     $ 22.24     $ 20.27  
Tangible book value per common share (1)   $ 18.15     $ 17.55     $ 15.27  
Average common shares outstanding – basic     25,380       25,398       25,359  
Average common shares outstanding – diluted     25,679       25,710       25,653  
Other Data                        
Retirement and benefit services assets under administration/management   $ 42,273,839     $ 44,925,311     $ 39,925,596  
Wealth advisory services assets under administration/management   $ 4,792,609     $ 4,850,600     $ 4,500,852  
Mortgage originations   $ 94,434     $ 136,780     $ 70,593  

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(1)   Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliations and Calculation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Results of Operations 

Net Interest Income 

Net interest income for the first quarter of 2026 was $44.9 million, a $0.3 million, or 0.6%, decrease from the fourth quarter of 2025. Interest income decreased $3.4 million, or 4.8%, primarily due to a one-time $2.4 million adjustment related to a sold loan participation recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, partially offset by higher interest income on investment securities following a strategic balance sheet repositioning in the fourth quarter of 2025. Interest expense decreased $3.1 million, or 12.5%, from the fourth quarter of 2025, as the average rates paid on deposits and borrowings declined due to recent rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. 

Net interest income increased $3.8 million, or 9.1%, from $41.2 million for the first quarter of 2025. Interest income decreased $1.2 million, or 1.8%, from the first quarter of 2025, primarily driven by less purchase accounting accretion, partially offset by higher interest income on investment securities following the strategic balance sheet repositioning in the fourth quarter of 2025. Interest expense decreased $5.0 million, or 18.4%, from the first quarter of 2025, as the average rates paid on deposits and borrowings declined due to recent rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. 

Net interest margin (on a tax-equivalent basis)(1) was 3.77% for the first quarter of 2026, an 8 basis point increase from 3.69% for the fourth quarter of 2025, and a 36 basis point increase from 3.41% for the first quarter of 2025. The quarter over quarter increase was mainly attributable to lower cost of funds and higher yields on investment securities, partially offset by a one-time adjustment related to a sold loan participation recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, lower loan yields, and less purchase accounting accretion. The increase from the first quarter of 2025 was primarily driven by lower cost of funds and higher yields on investment securities. 

Noninterest (Loss) Income

Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2026 was $30.8 million, a $67.8 million, or 183.5%, increase from the fourth quarter of 2025. The quarter over quarter increase was driven by the strategic balance sheet repositioning in the fourth quarter of 2025, which resulted in a $68.4 million realized loss on the sale of investment securities. Adjusted noninterest income(1) was $30.9 million in the first quarter of 2026, a decrease of $1.0 million, or 3.2%, compared to $31.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Other noninterest income decreased $1.1 million, or 38.4%, from the fourth quarter of 2025, primarily driven by a decrease in swap fee revenue. Wealth advisory services revenue decreased $0.2 million, or 2.7%, from the fourth quarter of 2025, primarily driven by a decline in both asset-based fees tied to equity markets, and transaction-based fees. Mortgage banking revenue increased $0.3 million, or 10.4%, from the fourth quarter of 2025, primarily driven by higher gain on sale margins and an increase in mortgage servicing asset valuation. Retirement and benefit services revenue increased $0.1 million, or 0.8%, from the fourth quarter of 2025. While retirement and benefit services assets under administration/management decreased $2.7 billion, or 5.9%, from $44.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025 to $42.3 billion in the first quarter of 2026, the decrease was primarily due to a strategic realignment of record-keeping partners that is expected to have minimal impact on revenue in future periods. 

Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2026 increased by $3.2 million, or 11.6%, from the first quarter of 2025. This increase was driven by an increase in mortgage banking revenue and retirement and benefit services revenue. Mortgage banking revenue increased $2.0 million, or 131.5%, compared to the first quarter of 2025, due to an increase in mortgage servicing asset valuation, as well as increased origination volume and improved gain on sale margin. Retirement and benefit services revenue increased $1.3 million, or 8.1%, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025, primarily driven by both asset-based and transaction-based fees. 

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(1)   Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliations and Calculation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2026 was $50.4 million, a $1.5 million, or 2.9%, decrease from the fourth quarter of 2025. Compensation expense decreased $1.1 million, or 4.3%, from the fourth quarter of 2025, primarily due to decreases in annual bonus expense and mortgage incentive compensation due to seasonality. Business services, software and technology expense decreased $1.0 million, or 14.1%, from the fourth quarter of 2025, primarily due to a reclassification of consulting services and other third-party vendor expenses from business services, software and technology expense to professional fees and assessments. Professional fees and assessments increased $0.7 million, or 23.0%, from the fourth quarter of 2025, primarily due to this expense reclassification, partially offset by a decrease in legal fees. 

Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2026 increased $27.0 thousand, or 0.1%, from $50.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to increases in compensation expense, professional fees and assessments, and occupancy and equipment expense, offset by decreases in employee taxes and benefits expense and intangible amortization expense. Compensation expense increased $1.1 million, or 4.9%, from the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to higher annual bonus expense. Professional fees and assessments increased $0.8 million, or 26.8%, from the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to the expense reclassification described above. Occupancy and equipment expense increased $0.5 million, or 17.9%, from the first quarter of 2025, primarily driven by facility investments and the strategic realignment of locations from owned to leased space. Employee taxes and benefits expense decreased $1.1 million, or 14.5%, from the first quarter of 2025, primarily due to lower claims on group insurance. Intangible amortization expense decreased $0.7 million, or 27.2%, in the first quarter of 2026, primarily due to the annual reset of the $33.5 million core deposit intangible recorded in connection with the HMN Financial, Inc. (“HMNF”) acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2024. 

Financial Condition

Total assets were $5.3 billion as of March 31, 2026, an increase of $57.9 million, or 1.1%, from December 31, 2025. The increase was primarily due to a $61.6 million increase in cash and cash equivalents and an $8.0 million increase in available-for-sale investment securities, partially offset by a decrease of $13.3 million in loans held for investment. 

Loans Held for Investment

Total loans held for investment were $4.0 billion as of March 31, 2026, a decrease of $13.3 million, or 0.3%, from December 31, 2025. The decrease was primarily driven by a $28.3 million decrease in consumer loans, partially offset by a $15.1 million increase in commercial loans. 

The following table presents the composition of our loans held for investment portfolio as of the dates indicated: 

                                         
    March 31,     December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
(dollars in thousands)   2026     2025     2025     2025     2025  
Commercial                                        
Commercial and business lending                                        
Commercial and industrial   $ 747,447     $ 736,833     $ 702,135     $ 675,892     $ 658,446  
Commercial real estate − Owner occupied     444,276       427,260       435,320       440,170       424,880  
Total commercial and business lending     1,191,723       1,164,093       1,137,455       1,116,062       1,083,326  
Investor commercial real estate                                        
Construction, land and development     146,897       246,238       349,768       352,749       360,024  
Multifamily     392,097       383,505       374,761       333,307       353,060  
Non-owner occupied     976,339       875,862       865,785       887,643       951,559  
Total investor commercial real estate     1,515,333       1,505,605       1,590,314       1,573,699       1,664,643  
Agricultural                                        
Land     54,028       64,799       65,900       66,395       68,894  
Production     50,983       62,500       63,051       67,931       64,240  
Total agricultural     105,011       127,299       128,951       134,326       133,134  
Total commercial     2,812,067       2,796,997       2,856,720       2,824,087       2,881,103  
Consumer                                        
Residential real estate                                        
First lien     851,551       874,737       894,402       901,738       907,534  
Construction     32,872       33,703       34,124       35,754       38,553  
HELOC     262,131       260,883       234,681       200,624       175,600  
Junior lien     35,783       36,844       40,434       41,450       43,740  
Total residential real estate     1,182,337       1,206,167       1,203,641       1,179,566       1,165,427  
Other consumer     40,340       44,858       41,715       41,003       38,955  
Total consumer     1,222,677       1,251,025       1,245,356       1,220,569       1,204,382  
Total loans   $ 4,034,744     $ 4,048,022     $ 4,102,076     $ 4,044,656     $ 4,085,485  
                                         

Deposits

Total deposits were $4.3 billion as of March 31, 2026, an increase of $155.9 million, or 3.7%, from December 31, 2025. Noninterest-bearing deposits increased $49.7 million and interest-bearing deposits increased $106.2 million from December 31, 2025. The increase was primarily driven by seasonal inflows of public depositor funds and consumer deposit growth. 

The following table presents the composition of the Company’s deposit portfolio as of the dates indicated: 

    March 31,     December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
(dollars in thousands)   2026     2025     2025     2025     2025  
Noninterest-bearing demand   $ 857,625     $ 807,896     $ 776,791     $ 790,300     $ 889,270  
Interest-bearing                                        
Interest-bearing demand     1,449,156       1,296,315       1,256,687       1,214,597       1,283,031  
Savings accounts     178,347       173,759       174,113       175,586       177,341  
Money market savings     1,291,794       1,337,491       1,460,006       1,358,516       1,472,127  
Time deposits     570,960       576,542       745,056       798,469       663,522  
Total interest-bearing     3,490,257       3,384,107       3,635,862       3,547,168       3,596,021  
Total deposits   $ 4,347,882     $ 4,192,003     $ 4,412,653     $ 4,337,468     $ 4,485,291  
                                         

Asset Quality

Total nonperforming assets were $54.0 million as of March 31, 2026, a decrease of $15.4 million, or 22.1%, from December 31, 2025. As of March 31, 2026, the allowance for credit losses on loans was $50.5 million, or 1.25% of total loans, compared to $61.9 million, or 1.53% of total loans, as of December 31, 2025. 

The following table presents selected asset quality data as of and for the periods indicated: 

    As of and for the three months ended  
    March 31,     December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
(dollars in thousands)   2026     2025     2025     2025     2025  
Nonaccrual loans   $ 53,881     $ 69,065     $ 59,644     $ 51,276     $ 50,517  
Accruing loans 90+ days past due                       202        
Total nonperforming loans     53,881       69,065       59,644       51,478       50,517  
OREO and repossessed assets     126       308       467       751       493  
Total nonperforming assets   $ 54,007     $ 69,373     $ 60,111     $ 52,229     $ 51,010  
Criticized loans     132,459       149,162       191,331       212,592       230,369  
Net charge-offs (recoveries)     7,027       (311 )     (1,715 )     3,767       407  
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans (1)     0.71 %     (0.03 )%     (0.17 )%     0.37 %     0.04 %
Nonperforming loans to total loans     1.34 %     1.71 %     1.45 %     1.27 %     1.24 %
Nonperforming assets to total assets     1.02 %     1.33 %     1.13 %     0.98 %     0.96 %
Criticized loans to total loans     3.28 %     3.68 %     4.66 %     5.26 %     5.64 %
Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans     1.25 %     1.53 %     1.51 %     1.47 %     1.52 %
Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonperforming loans     93.73 %     89.65 %     104.16 %     115.15 %     122.59 %
                                         

For the first quarter of 2026, the Company had net charge-offs of $7.0 million, compared to net recoveries of $0.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2025 and net charge-offs of $0.4 million for the first quarter of 2025. The quarter over quarter increase in net charge-offs was primarily due to charge-offs of $6.4 million related to one non-accruing long-term commercial and industrial client relationship. This relationship carried a specific reserve of $9.0 million as of December 31, 2025. As of March 31, 2026, the relationship had a remaining reserve of $3.5 million, which represented approximately 78% of the book balance as of that date. Management does not believe the charge-offs resulting from this relationship are indicative of a broader credit quality trend in the Company’s loan portfolio. 

The Company recorded a provision release of $4.9 million for the first quarter of 2026, a provision release of $0.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, and a provision for credit losses of $0.9 million for the first quarter of 2025. The provision release in the first quarter of 2026 was primarily driven by changes to loan balances and loan mix, largely due to decreases in balances in the commercial real estate construction, land and development pool, which is reserved at a higher rate than most other loan pools. 

The unearned fair value adjustments on acquired loan portfolios were $40.8 million as of March 31, 2026, $43.8 million as of December 31, 2025, and $65.3 million as of March 31, 2025. 

Capital

Total stockholders’ equity was $574.7 million as of March 31, 2026, an increase of $9.8 million from December 31, 2025. The change was primarily driven by an increase in retained earnings of $17.6 million, partially offset by a decrease in additional paid-in capital of $5.6 million and a decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income of $2.1 million. Tangible book value per common share(1) increased to $18.15 as of March 31, 2026, from $17.55 as of December 31, 2025. Tangible common equity to tangible assets(1) increased to 8.85% as of March 31, 2026, from 8.72% as of December 31, 2025. Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets increased to 10.60% as of March 31, 2026, from 10.10% as of December 31, 2025. 

During the first quarter of 2026, the Company repurchased approximately $6.0 million of its outstanding common stock at an average per share price of $23.90, which reduced common stock shares outstanding by 250,000 at quarter-end. 

The following table presents our capital ratios as of the dates indicated: 

    March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
    2026     2025     2025  
Capital Ratios(1)                        
Alerus Financial Corporation Consolidated                        
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets     10.60 %     10.28 %     10.10 %
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets     10.81 %     10.48 %     10.31 %
Total capital to risk weighted assets     13.17 %     12.87 %     12.67 %
Tier 1 capital to average assets     9.30 %     8.86 %     8.86 %
Tangible common equity / tangible assets (2)     8.85 %     8.72 %     7.43 %
                         
Alerus Financial, N.A.                        
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets     10.75 %     10.41 %     10.36 %
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets     10.75 %     10.41 %     10.36 %
Total capital to risk weighted assets     12.00 %     11.66 %     11.61 %
Tier 1 capital to average assets     9.11 %     8.62 %     9.06 %

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(1)   Capital ratios for the current quarter are to be considered preliminary until the Call Report for Alerus Financial, N.A. is filed.
(2)   Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliations and Calculation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”


Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, April 30, 2026, to discuss its financial results. Attendees are encouraged to register ahead of time for the call at investors.alerus.com. A recording of the call and transcript will be available on the Company’s investor relations website at investors.alerus.com following the call. 

About Alerus Financial Corporation

Alerus Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: ALRS) is a commercial wealth advisory services bank and national retirement and benefit services provider with corporate offices in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area. Through its subsidiary, Alerus Financial, National Association (the “Bank”), Alerus provides diversified and comprehensive financial solutions to business and consumer clients, including banking, wealth advisory services, and retirement and benefit plans and services. Alerus provides clients with a primary point of contact to help fully understand their unique needs and delivery channel preferences. Clients are provided with competitive products, valuable insight, and sound advice supported by digital solutions designed to meet their needs. 

Alerus operates 26 banking and commercial wealth offices, with locations in Grand Forks and Fargo, North Dakota; the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area; Rochester, Minnesota; Southern Minnesota; Marshalltown, Iowa; Pewaukee, Wisconsin; and Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. The Alerus Retirement and Benefit business serves advisors, brokers, employers, and plan participants across the United States. 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Some of the financial measures included in this press release are not measures of financial performance recognized by U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible book value per common share, return on average tangible common equity, efficiency ratio, pre-provision net revenue, adjusted noninterest (loss) income, adjusted noninterest expense, adjusted pre-provision net revenue, adjusted efficiency ratio, adjusted net income, adjusted return on average total assets, adjusted return on average tangible common equity, net interest margin (on a tax-equivalent basis), adjusted earnings per common share – diluted, and adjusted net charge-offs to average loans. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in its analysis of its performance, and believes financial analysts and investors frequently use these measures, and other similar measures, to evaluate capital adequacy and financial performance. Reconciliations of non-GAAP disclosures used in this press release to the comparable GAAP measures are provided in the accompanying tables. Management, banking regulators, many financial analysts and other investors use these measures in conjunction with more traditional bank capital ratios to compare the capital adequacy of banking organizations with significant amounts of goodwill or other intangible assets, which typically stem from the use of the purchase accounting method of accounting for mergers and acquisitions. 

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for total stockholders’ equity, total assets, book value per share, return on average assets, return on average equity, or any other measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which the Company calculates these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements concerning plans, estimates, calculations, forecasts and projections with respect to the anticipated future performance of Alerus Financial Corporation. These statements are often, but not always, identified by words such as “may”, “might”, “should”, “could”, “predict”, “potential”, “believe”, “expect”, “continue”, “will”, “anticipate”, “seek”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “projection”, “would”, “annualized”, “target” and “outlook”, or the negative version of those words or other comparable words of a future or forward-looking nature. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements the Company makes regarding our projected growth, anticipated future financial performance, financial condition, credit quality, management’s long-term performance goals, and the future plans and prospects of Alerus Financial Corporation. 

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent known and unknown uncertainties, risks, changes in circumstances, and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the strength of the local, state, national and international economies and financial markets (including effects of inflationary pressures and future monetary policies of the Federal Reserve and executive orders in response thereto); interest rate risk, including the effects of changes in interest rates; effects on the U.S. economy resulting from actions taken by the federal government, including the threat or implementation of tariffs, immigration enforcement, executive orders, and changes in foreign policy; disruptions to the global supply chain, including as a result of domestic or foreign policies; our ability to successfully manage credit risk, including in the commercial real estate portfolio, and maintain an adequate level of allowance for credit losses; business and economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry, nationally and within our market areas, including the level and impact of inflation rates and possible recession; our ability to raise additional capital to implement our business plan; credit risks and risks from concentrations (including by type of borrower, geographic area, collateral, and industry) within our loan portfolio; the concentration of large loans to certain borrowers (including commercial real estate loans); the level of nonperforming assets on our balance sheet; our ability to implement organic and acquisition growth strategies; the commencement, cost, and outcome of litigation and other legal proceedings and regulatory actions against us or to which the Company may become subject, including with respect to pending actions relating to the Company’s previous employee stock ownership program fiduciary services commenced by government and private parties; the impact of economic or market conditions on our fee-based services; our ability to continue to grow our retirement and benefit services business; our ability to continue to originate a sufficient volume of residential mortgages; the occurrence of fraudulent activity, breaches or failures of our or our third-party vendors’ information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents, including as a result of sophisticated attacks using artificial intelligence and similar tools or as a result of insider fraud; interruptions involving our information technology and telecommunications systems or third-party servicers; potential losses incurred in connection with mortgage loan repurchases; the composition of our executive management team and our ability to attract and retain key personnel; rapid and expensive technological changes implemented by us and other parties in the financial services industry, including third-party vendors, which may be more difficult to implement or more expensive than anticipated or which may have unforeseen consequences to us and our customers, including the development and implementation of tools incorporating artificial intelligence; increased competition in the financial services industry, including from non-banks such as credit unions, Fintech companies and digital asset service providers; our ability to successfully manage liquidity risk, including our need to access higher cost sources of funds such as fed funds purchased and short-term borrowings; the concentration of large deposits from certain clients, including those who have balances above current Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits; the effectiveness of our risk management framework; potential impairment to the goodwill the Company recorded in connection with our past acquisitions, including the acquisitions of Metro Phoenix Bank and HMNF; the extensive regulatory framework that applies to us; the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to us and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders; new or revised accounting standards, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; fluctuations in the values of the securities held in our securities portfolio, including as a result of changes in interest rates; governmental monetary, trade and fiscal policies; risks related to climate change and the negative impact it may have on our customers and their businesses; severe weather and natural disasters, and widespread disease or pandemics; acts of war, military conflicts, or terrorism, including the wars in Iran and Ukraine, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and other international military conflicts, or other adverse external events and changes in foreign relations; the impact of the current partial shutdown of the federal government and possible future shutdowns; any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting; our success at managing and responding to the risks involved in the foregoing items; and any other risks described in the “Risk Factors” sections of the reports filed by Alerus Financial Corporation with the SEC. 

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

             
Alerus Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
             
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2026     2025  
Assets   (Unaudited)          
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 128,826     $ 67,192  
Investment securities                
Trading, at fair value     1,758       1,758  
Available-for-sale, at fair value     522,101       514,095  
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (with an allowance for credit losses on investments of $118 and $123, respectively)     247,437       254,448  
Loans held for sale     22,345       21,934  
Loans held for investment     4,034,744       4,048,022  
Allowance for credit losses on loans     (50,505 )     (61,915 )
Net loans     3,984,239       3,986,107  
Land, premises and equipment, net     43,978       43,253  
Operating lease right-of-use assets     32,573       28,761  
Accrued interest receivable     20,469       21,742  
Bank-owned life insurance     39,475       39,307  
Goodwill     85,634       85,634  
Other intangible assets     31,397       33,371  
Servicing rights     6,615       6,383  
Deferred income taxes, net     20,863       23,080  
Other assets     100,261       103,019  
Total assets   $ 5,287,971     $ 5,230,084  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                
Deposits                
Noninterest-bearing   $ 857,625     $ 807,896  
Interest-bearing     3,490,257       3,384,107  
Total deposits     4,347,882       4,192,003  
Short-term borrowings     200,000       308,800  
Long-term debt     59,211       59,182  
Operating lease liabilities     42,590       36,282  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities     63,595       68,883  
Total liabilities     4,713,278       4,665,150  
Stockholders’ equity                
Preferred stock, $1 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized: 0 issued and outstanding            
Common stock, $1 par value, 60,000,000 and 30,000,000 shares authorized: 25,214,146 and 25,406,278 issued and outstanding     25,214       25,406  
Additional paid-in capital     266,016       271,609  
Retained earnings     287,700       270,075  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (4,237 )     (2,156 )
Total stockholders’ equity     574,693       564,934  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 5,287,971     $ 5,230,084  

 
Alerus Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
 
    Three months ended  
    March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
    2026     2025     2025  
Interest Income   (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  
Loans, including fees   $ 58,621     $ 64,477     $ 61,495  
Investment securities                        
Taxable     7,104       4,592       5,707  
Exempt from federal income taxes     158       160       160  
Other     1,094       1,158       819  
Total interest income     66,977       70,387       68,181  
Interest Expense                        
Deposits     19,074       21,998       23,535  
Short-term borrowings     2,357       2,570       2,839  
Long-term debt     634       645       650  
Total interest expense     22,065       25,213       27,024  
Net interest income     44,912       45,174       41,157  
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses     (4,883 )     (308 )     863  
Net interest income after provision for (recovery of) credit losses     49,795       45,482       40,294  
Noninterest Income (Loss)                        
Retirement and benefit services     17,406       17,260       16,106  
Wealth advisory services     7,237       7,438       6,905  
Mortgage banking     3,535       3,203       1,527  
Service charges on deposit accounts     933       734       651  
Net losses on investment securities           (68,403 )      
Other     1,736       2,819       2,443  
Total noninterest income (loss)     30,847       (36,949 )     27,632  
Noninterest Expense                        
Compensation     24,087       25,169       22,961  
Employee taxes and benefits     6,640       6,325       7,762  
Occupancy and equipment expense     3,427       3,658       2,907  
Business services, software and technology expense     5,839       6,794       5,752  
Intangible amortization expense     1,974       2,382       2,710  
Professional fees and assessments     3,800       3,089       2,996  
Marketing and business development     861       1,016       965  
Supplies and postage     607       764       630  
Travel     361       409       287  
Mortgage and lending expenses     710       626       536  
Other     2,086       1,649       2,859  
Total noninterest expense     50,392       51,881       50,365  
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)     30,250       (43,348 )     17,561  
Income tax expense (benefit)     7,279       (10,298 )     4,246  
Net income (loss)   $ 22,971     $ (33,050 )   $ 13,315  
Per Common Share Data                        
Earnings (loss) per common share   $ 0.90     $ (1.28 )   $ 0.52  
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share   $ 0.89     $ (1.27 )   $ 0.52  
Dividends declared per common share   $ 0.21     $ 0.21     $ 0.20  
Average common shares outstanding     25,380       25,398       25,359  
Diluted average common shares outstanding     25,679       25,710       25,653  

                   
Alerus Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliations and Calculation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
                   
    March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
    2026     2025     2025  
Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets                        
Total common stockholders’ equity   $ 574,693     $ 564,934     $ 514,232  
Less: Goodwill     85,634       85,634       85,634  
Less: Other intangible assets     31,397       33,371       41,172  
Tangible common equity (a)     457,662       445,929       387,426  
Total assets     5,287,971       5,230,084       5,339,620  
Less: Goodwill     85,634       85,634       85,634  
Less: Other intangible assets     31,397       33,371       41,172  
Tangible assets (b)     5,170,940       5,111,079       5,212,814  
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (a)/(b)     8.85 %     8.72 %     7.43 %
Tangible Book Value Per Common Share                        
Tangible common equity (a)     457,662       445,929       387,426  
Total common shares issued and outstanding (c)     25,214       25,406       25,366  
Tangible book value per common share (a)/(c)   $ 18.15     $ 17.55     $ 15.27  

    Three months ended  
    March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
    2026     2025     2025  
Return on Average Tangible Common Equity                        
Net income (loss)   $ 22,971     $ (33,050 )   $ 13,315  
Add: Intangible amortization expense (net of tax) (1)     1,559       1,882       2,141  
Net income (loss), excluding intangible amortization (d)     24,530       (31,168 )     15,456  
Average total equity     566,563       552,106       499,224  
Less: Average goodwill     85,634       85,634       85,634  
Less: Average other intangible assets (net of tax) (1)     25,664       27,270       33,718  
Average tangible common equity (e)     455,265       439,202       379,872  
Return on average tangible common equity (d)/(e)     21.85 %     (28.15 )%     16.50 %
Efficiency Ratio                        
Noninterest expense   $ 50,392     $ 51,881     $ 50,365  
Less: Intangible amortization expense     1,974       2,382       2,710  
Noninterest expense excluding intangible amortization (f)     48,418       49,499       47,655  
Net interest income (v)     44,912       45,174       41,157  
Noninterest income (loss)     30,847       (36,949 )     27,632  
Tax equivalent adjustment for loans and securities     619       654       520  
Total tax-equivalent revenue (g)     76,378       8,879       69,309  
Efficiency ratio (f)/(g)     63.39 %     557.48 %     68.76 %
Pre-Provision Net Revenue                        
Net interest income (v)   $ 44,912     $ 45,174     $ 41,157  
Add: Noninterest income (loss)     30,847       (36,949 )     27,632  
Less: Noninterest expense     50,392       51,881       50,365  
Pre-provision net revenue (loss)   $ 25,367     $ (43,656 )   $ 18,424  
Adjusted Noninterest Income                        
Noninterest income (loss)   $ 30,847     $ (36,949 )   $ 27,632  
Less: Adjusted noninterest (loss) income items                        
Net gains (losses) on investment securities           (68,403 )      
Net gain (loss) on sale/disposal of premises and equipment     (21 )     (445 )      
Total adjusted noninterest income (loss) items (h)     (21 )     (68,848 )      
Adjusted noninterest income (i)   $ 30,868     $ 31,899     $ 27,632  
Adjusted Noninterest (Loss) Income as a Percentage of Revenue                        
Adjusted noninterest income (i)   $ 30,868     $ 31,899     $ 27,632  
Net interest income (v)     44,912       45,174       41,157  
Adjusted revenue (w)   $ 75,780     $ 77,073     $ 68,789  
Adjusted noninterest (loss) income as a percentage of revenue (i)/(w)     40.73 %     41.39 %     40.17 %
Adjusted Noninterest Expense                        
Noninterest expense   $ 50,392     $ 51,881     $ 50,365  
Less: Adjusted noninterest expense items                        
HMNF merger- and acquisition-related expenses     (34 )     (112 )     286  
Severance and signing bonus expense     167       212       1,027  
Total adjusted noninterest expense items (j)     133       100       1,313  
Adjusted noninterest expense (k)   $ 50,259     $ 51,781     $ 49,052  

________________
(1)   Items calculated after-tax utilizing a marginal income tax rate of 21.0%.

       
Alerus Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliations and Calculation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (unaudited)
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
       
    Three months ended  
    March 31,     December 31,     March 31,  
    2026     2025     2025  
Adjusted Pre-Provision Net Revenue                        
Net interest income (v)   $ 44,912     $ 45,174     $ 41,157  
Add: Adjusted noninterest income (i)     30,868       31,899       27,632  
Less: Adjusted noninterest expense (k)     50,259       51,781       49,052  
Adjusted pre-provision net revenue   $ 25,521     $ 25,292     $ 19,737  
Adjusted Efficiency Ratio                        
Adjusted noninterest expense (k)   $ 50,259     $ 51,781     $ 49,052  
Less: Intangible amortization expense     1,974       2,382       2,710  
Adjusted noninterest expense for efficiency ratio (l)     48,285       49,399       46,342  
Tax-equivalent revenue                        
Net interest income (v)     44,912       45,174       41,157  
Add: Adjusted noninterest income (i)     30,868       31,899       27,632  
Add: Tax equivalent adjustment for loans and securities (1)     619       654       520  
Total tax-equivalent revenue (m)     76,399       77,727       69,309  
Adjusted efficiency ratio (l)/(m)     63.20 %     63.55 %     66.86 %
Adjusted Net Income                        
Net (loss) income   $ 22,971     $ (33,050 )   $ 13,315  
Less: Adjusted noninterest (loss) income items (net of tax) (1) (h)     (17 )     (54,390 )      
Add: Adjusted noninterest expense items (net of tax) (1) (j)     105       79       1,037  
Adjusted net income (n)   $ 23,093     $ 21,419     $ 14,352  
Adjusted Return on Average Total Assets                        
Average total assets (o)   $ 5,218,515     $ 5,252,046     $ 5,272,319  
Adjusted return on average total assets (n)/(o)     1.79 %     1.62 %     1.10 %
Adjusted Return on Average Tangible Common Equity                        
Adjusted net income (n)   $ 23,093     $ 21,419     $ 14,352  
Add: Intangible amortization expense (net of tax) (1)     1,559       1,882       2,141  
Adjusted net income, excluding intangible amortization (p)     24,652       23,301       16,493  
Average total equity     566,563       552,106       499,224  
Less: Average goodwill     85,634       85,634       85,634  
Less: Average other intangible assets (net of tax)     25,664       27,270       33,718  
Average tangible common equity (q)     455,265       439,202       379,872  
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity (p)/(q)     21.96 %     21.05 %     17.61 %
Adjusted Earnings Per Common Share – Diluted                        
Adjusted net income (n)   $ 23,093     $ 21,419     $ 14,352  
Less: Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities     207       (462 )     99  
Adjusted net income available to common stockholders (r)     22,886       21,881       14,253  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share (s)     25,679       25,710       25,653  
Adjusted earnings per common share – diluted (r)/(s)   $ 0.89     $ 0.85     $ 0.56  
Net Charge-Offs (Recoveries) to Average Loans                        
Net charge-offs (recoveries) (t)   $ 7,027     $ (311 )   $ 407  
Average total loans (u)   $ 4,029,719     $ 4,049,082     $ 4,022,863  
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans (t)/(u)     0.71 %     (0.03 )%     0.04 %
Net Interest Margin (on a Tax-Equivalent Basis)                        
Net interest income (v)   $ 44,912     $ 45,174     $ 41,157  
Add: Tax equivalent adjustment for loans and securities     619       654       520  
Net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) (1) (w)   $ 45,531     $ 45,828     $ 41,677  
Average interest earning assets (x)   $ 4,901,399     $ 4,926,530     $ 4,949,729  
Net interest margin (on a tax-equivalent basis) (1) (w)/(x)     3.77 %     3.69 %     3.41 %

________________
(1)   Items calculated after-tax utilizing a marginal income tax rate of 21.0%.

       
Alerus Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Analysis of Average Balances, Yields, and Rates (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
       
    Three months ended  
    March 31, 2026     December 31, 2025     March 31, 2025  
            Average             Average             Average  
    Average     Yield/     Average     Yield/     Average     Yield/  
    Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate  
Interest Earning Assets                                                
Interest-bearing deposits with banks   $ 60,675       4.26 %   $ 57,008       4.68 %   $ 33,425       4.74 %
Investment securities (1)     771,885       3.84       775,091       2.45       859,696       2.79  
Loans held for sale     15,617       4.70       21,715       4.81       11,348       5.32  
Loans                                                
Commercial and industrial     723,803       7.10       699,982       7.35       657,838       7.31  
CRE − Owner occupied     430,332       6.14       429,087       6.18       379,948       6.19  
CRE − Construction, land and development     211,754       5.17       322,068       9.20       342,718       5.84  
CRE − Multifamily     393,412       5.80       371,925       6.15       364,247       6.34  
CRE − Non-owner occupied (2)     914,642       5.97       846,558       6.16       960,152       6.66  
Agricultural − Land     59,787       6.00       65,995       6.42       67,228       5.85  
Agricultural − Production     58,833       6.98       63,408       6.78       60,933       7.28  
RRE − First lien     865,077       4.93       884,293       4.81       899,835       4.78  
RRE − Construction     32,906       6.29       34,858       6.74       36,913       8.40  
RRE − HELOC     261,586       6.03       249,844       6.38       168,599       7.12  
RRE − Junior lien     36,306       6.42       38,167       6.47       44,096       6.24  
Other consumer     41,281       6.31       42,897       6.53       40,356       7.02  
Total loans (1)     4,029,719       5.94       4,049,082       6.35       4,022,863       6.23  
Federal Reserve/FHLB stock     23,503       7.87       23,634       8.16       22,397       7.77  
Total interest earning assets     4,901,399       5.59       4,926,530       5.72       4,949,729       5.63  
Noninterest earning assets     317,116               325,516               322,590          
Total assets   $ 5,218,515             $ 5,252,046             $ 5,272,319          
Interest-Bearing Liabilities                                                
Interest-bearing demand deposits   $ 1,367,270       1.64 %   $ 1,305,972       1.72 %   $ 1,247,725       1.81 %
Money market and savings deposits     1,503,798       2.37       1,592,569       2.72       1,590,616       2.89  
Time deposits     569,065       3.40       600,966       3.57       688,569       3.91  
Fed funds purchased     35,628       4.01       35,617       4.20       49,834       4.69  
FHLB short-term advances     204,444       3.98       207,065       4.20       200,000       4.59  
Long-term debt     59,195       4.34       59,169       4.32       59,084       4.46  
Total interest-bearing liabilities     3,739,400       2.39       3,801,358       2.63       3,835,828       2.86  
Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                                                
Noninterest-bearing deposits     798,579               797,521               849,687          
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities     113,973               101,061               87,580          
Stockholders’ equity     566,563               552,106               499,224          
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 5,218,515             $ 5,252,046             $ 5,272,319          
Net interest rate spread             3.20 %             3.09 %             2.77 %
Net interest margin (on a tax-equivalent basis) (1)             3.77 %             3.69 %             3.41 %

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(1)   Taxable-equivalent adjustment was calculated utilizing a marginal income tax rate of 21.0%. 
(2)   Average balances and average yield/rate includes non-mortgage loans sold and held for sale for the three months ended December 31, 2025. 

Alan A. Villalon, Chief Financial Officer
 952.417.3733 (Office)


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