Alerus Financial Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2024 Net Income of $5.2 Million

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Oct 29, 2024

Alerus Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: ALRS), or the Company, reported net income of $5.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, or $0.26 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $6.2 million, or $0.31 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2024, and net income of $9.2 million, or $0.45 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2023.

CEO Comments

President and Chief Executive Officer Katie Lorenson said, “Earlier this month we closed on our 26th and largest acquisition in company history. In the transaction, we acquired a strong core deposit base and strategically expanded into the vibrant Rochester and Southern Minnesota markets. Throughout the quarter and ahead of this closing, we continued to make long term investments to support and grow our uniquely diversified business model and revenue streams. We continued to demonstrate our position as an employer of choice, with the addition of a specialized equipment leasing team and key hires to drive growth and efficiencies throughout our organization, especially in our retirement and benefit services segment.

We have continued to see market share gains and growth of our client base both in adding new business and deepening relationships with current clients. This year, our retirement and benefits business has grown over 19%, our wealth management business has grown 18%, and we have grown loans nearly 10% and deposits over 7% in a very challenging and competitive environment.

Credit quality remains a key area of focus. Early identification of problem loans coupled with proactive and decisive actions are part of our credit culture. We continue to closely monitor and proactively downgrade loans where we see potential or emerging weaknesses. Normalization of credit continued during the quarter, as two large relationships drove the increase in nonaccrual loans. Charge-offs to average loans for the quarter were 0.04% and reserves to loans was stable at 1.29%.

We are focused on efficient headcount management, and balancing investments in talent, technology and infrastructure, while remaining committed to a strong balance sheet, capital levels, and improving performance as a bigger and better combined entity.

Thank you to the team members both new and long tenured for your hard work, dedication and invaluable contributions supporting our company, our clients and our communities, and helping us on our journey to achieving new milestones and our return to high-performance and top tier financial results.”

Third Quarter Highlights

  • Total loans were $3.0 billion as of September 30, 2024, an increase of $272.8 million, or 9.9%, from December 31, 2023.
  • Total deposits were $3.3 billion as of September 30, 2024, an increase of $227.9 million, or 7.4%, from December 31, 2023; brokered deposits remained at $0.
  • The loan to deposit ratio as of September 30, 2024 was 91.2%, compared to 89.1% as of December 31, 2023.
  • Noninterest income, which represented 55.7% of total revenues, was $28.4 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 3.6% from $27.4 million in the second quarter of 2024.
  • Total assets under administration/management at September 30, 2024 were $45.6 billion, a 4.8% increase from June 30, 2024.
  • Net charge-offs to average loans were 0.04% in the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 32 basis points from 0.36% in the second quarter of 2024.
  • Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) was $16.50 as of September 30, 2024, a 6.7% increase from December 31, 2023.
  • Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP) was 8.11% at September 30, 2024, an increase of 85 basis points from 7.26% in the second quarter of 2024.
  • Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets as of September 30, 2024 was 11.12% and continues to be well above the minimum threshold to be “well capitalized” of 6.50%.
  • Repaid Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”) borrowings, resulting in risk-free net interest income of $1.2 million earned during the course of the year to date.
  • $400.0 million of interest rate swaps matured during the third quarter of 2024, which drove increased liability sensitivity as the Federal Reserve began to cut interest rates. Of the remaining $400.0 million of interest rate swaps, $200.0 million will mature in January 2025.

HMN Financial Acquisition

On October 9, 2024, the Company completed its previously announced acquisition of HMN Financial, Inc. and its subsidiary, Home Federal Savings Bank (together, "HMNF"). The transaction expands the Company's franchise into Rochester, Minnesota and represents the largest bank acquisition in its history. With the addition of HMNF, the Company now has over $5.5 billion in total assets, $3.8 billion in total loans, $4.3 billion in total deposits, and asset under administration and management of approximately $43.6 billion, with 29 locations across the Midwest, as well as Arizona.

Selected Financial Data (unaudited)

As of and for the

Three months ended

Nine months ended

(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)

September
30,
2024

June 30,
2024

September
30,

2023

September
30,

2024

September
30,
2023

Performance Ratios

Return on average total assets

0.48

%

0.58

%

0.95

%

0.56

%

0.93

%

Adjusted return on average total assets (1)

0.57

%

0.65

%

0.75

%

0.62

%

0.85

%

Return on average common equity

5.52

%

6.76

%

10.05

%

6.43

%

9.79

%

Return on average tangible common equity (1)

7.83

%

9.40

%

13.51

%

8.98

%

13.27

%

Adjusted return on average tangible common equity (1)

9.04

%

10.30

%

10.97

%

9.80

%

12.27

%

Noninterest income as a % of revenue

55.72

%

53.28

%

58.21

%

54.10

%

54.51

%

Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)

2.23

%

2.39

%

2.27

%

2.31

%

2.50

%

Adjusted net interest margin (tax-equivalent) (1)

2.35

%

2.47

%

2.24

%

2.41

%

2.46

%

Efficiency ratio (1)

80.29

%

72.50

%

73.37

%

77.17

%

73.57

%

Adjusted efficiency ratio (1)

77.71

%

70.80

%

77.03

%

75.50

%

74.58

%

Net charge-offs/(recoveries) to average loans

0.04

%

0.36

%

(0.09

)%

0.14

%

(0.04

)%

Dividend payout ratio

76.92

%

64.52

%

42.22

%

66.29

%

43.08

%

Per Common Share

Earnings per common share - basic

$

0.26

$

0.31

$

0.46

$

0.90

$

1.31

Earnings per common share - diluted

$

0.26

$

0.31

$

0.45

$

0.89

$

1.30

Adjusted earnings per common share - diluted (1)

$

0.31

$

0.34

$

0.36

$

0.98

$

1.19

Dividends declared per common share

$

0.20

$

0.20

$

0.19

$

0.59

$

0.56

Book value per common share

$

19.53

$

18.87

$

17.60

Tangible book value per common share (1)

$

16.50

$

15.77

$

14.32

Average common shares outstanding - basic

19,788

19,777

19,872

19,768

19,977

Average common shares outstanding - diluted

20,075

20,050

20,095

20,037

20,193

Other Data

Retirement and benefit services assets under administration/management

$

41,249,280

$

39,389,533

$

34,552,569

Wealth management assets under administration/management

$

4,397,505

$

4,172,290

$

3,724,091

Mortgage originations

$

82,388

$

109,254

$

109,637

$

245,743

$

298,626

______________

(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 third quarter of 2024 was $22.5 million, a $1.5 million, or 6.1%, decrease from the second quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in interest income on lower cash balances, lower purchase accounting accretion from the Metro Phoenix Bank acquisition, and increased interest expense on higher deposit balances. These pressures were partially offset by an increase in interest income on higher average loan balances.

Net interest income increased $2.1 million, or 10.5%, from $20.4 million for the third quarter of 2023. Interest income increased $10.2 million, or 24.2%, from the third quarter of 2023, primarily driven by strong organic loan growth at higher yields, in addition to higher cash balances due to the BTFP. The increase in interest income was partially offset by an $8.0 million, or 37.1%, increase in interest expense, due to both an increase in rates paid on interest-bearing deposits and higher deposit and short-term borrowing balances.

Net interest margin (on a tax-equivalent basis) was 2.23% for the third quarter of 2024, a 16 basis point decrease from 2.39% for the second quarter of 2024, and a 4 basis point decrease from 2.27% for the third quarter of 2023. The decrease in net interest margin (on a tax-equivalent basis) was mainly attributable to less purchase accounting accretion, the impact of nonaccrual loans, and higher cost of funds from growth in average interest-bearing deposit balances. This was partially offset by strong loan growth. Adjusted net interest margin (on a tax-equivalent basis) (non-GAAP), which excludes BTFP borrowings and purchase accounting accretion, was 2.35% for the third quarter of 2024, an 11 basis point decrease from 2.47% for the second quarter of 2024, and an 11 basis point increase from 2.24% for the third quarter of 2023.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2024 was $28.4 million, a $1.0 million increase from the second quarter of 2024. The quarter over quarter increase was primarily driven by improvement across all fee-based businesses. Wealth revenues increased $0.3 million during the third quarter of 2024, a 5.1% increase from the second quarter of 2024. Retirement and benefit services revenue increased $0.1 million for the third quarter of 2024, a 0.4% increase from the second quarter of 2024 results. Combined assets under administration/management in wealth and retirement and benefit services increased 4.8% from June 30, 2024. The increase in wealth, retirement and benefit services revenue, and assets under administration/management was primarily due to improved equity and bond markets. Additionally, other noninterest income increased $0.6 million during the third quarter of 2024, a 28.7% increase from the second quarter of 2024, primarily due to a gain on the sale of fixed assets related to the sale of the Shorewood, Minnesota office in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities.

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2024 decreased by $44 thousand, or 0.2%, from the third quarter of 2023. Wealth revenues increased $1.4 million, or 26.8%, in the third quarter of 2024, due to an increase in assets under administration/management of 5.4% during that same period. Other noninterest income increased $0.8 million, or 46.1% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023, primarily due to a gain on the sale of fixed assets related to the sale of the Shorewood, Minnesota office and increased client swap fees. Offsetting these increases, retirement and benefit services revenue decreased $2.5 million, or 13.2%, from $18.6 million in the third quarter of 2023, driven by the divestiture of the ESOP trustee business in the third quarter of 2023 which resulted in a one-time recognized gain of $2.8 million.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2024 was $42.4 million, a $3.7 million, or 9.5%, increase from the second quarter of 2024. Professional fees and assessments increased $1.9 million, or 79.8%, from the second quarter of 2024, primarily driven by increased merger-related expenses of $1.1 million in connection with the acquisition of HMNF. Compensation expenses increased $0.8 million, or 3.9%, from the second quarter of 2024, primarily driven by experienced talent acquisitions in commercial lending and increased labor costs. Business services, software and technology expense increased $0.3 million, or 6.1%, from the second quarter of 2024, primarily driven by increased data processing expenses and custodian fees. Occupancy and equipment expense increased $0.3 million, or 14.7%, from the second quarter of 2024, primarily driven by increased rent and depreciation expense driven by the opening of the Shoreview, Minnesota office in the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities in July 2024.

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2024 increased $5.2 million, or 13.9%, from $37.3 million in the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily driven by professional fees and assessments, compensation and employee taxes and benefits. Professional fees and assessments increased primarily due to increased merger-related expenses of $1.7 million in connection with the acquisition of HMNF and an increase in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) assessments. Compensation expense increased $2.0 million, or 10.4%, in the third quarter of 2024, primarily due to increased labor costs. Employee taxes and benefits expense increased $0.5 million, or 10.3%, primarily due to increased costs related to group insurance.

Financial Condition

Total assets were $4.1 billion as of September 30, 2024, an increase of $176.9 million, or 4.5%, from December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to a $272.8 million increase in loans, partially offset by a decrease of $63.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and a decrease of $35.6 million in investment securities.

Loans

Total loans were $3.0 billion as of September 30, 2024, an increase of $272.8 million, or 9.9%, from December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by a $116.7 million increase in non-owner occupied commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans, a $49.6 million increase in construction, land and development CRE loans, a $44.1 million increase in commercial and industrial loans, a $30.3 million increase in multifamily CRE loans and a $24.7 million increase in owner occupied CRE loans, partially offset by $7.4 million and $17.2 million decreases in residential real estate first lien and construction loans, respectively.

The following table presents the composition of our loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:

September
30,

June 30,

March 30,

December
31,

September
30,

(dollars in thousands)

2024

2024

2024

2023

2023

Commercial

Commercial and industrial

$

606,245

$

591,779

$

575,259

$

562,180

$

547,644

Commercial real estate

Construction, land and development

173,629

161,751

125,966

124,034

97,742

Multifamily

275,377

242,041

260,609

245,103

214,148

Non-owner occupied

686,071

647,776

565,979

569,354

504,827

Owner occupied

296,366

283,356

285,211

271,623

264,458

Total commercial real estate

1,431,443

1,334,924

1,237,765

1,210,114

1,081,175

Agricultural

Land

45,821

41,410

41,149

40,832

41,581

Production

39,436

40,549

36,436

36,141

34,743

Total agricultural

85,257

81,959

77,585

76,973

76,324

Total commercial

2,122,945

2,008,662

1,890,609

1,849,267

1,705,143

Consumer

Residential real estate

First lien

690,451

686,286

703,726

697,900

680,634

Construction

11,808

22,573

18,425

28,979

37,159

HELOC

134,301

126,211

120,501

118,315

116,296

Junior lien

36,445

36,323

36,381

35,819

36,381

Total residential real estate

873,005

871,393

879,033

881,013

870,470

Other consumer

36,393

35,737

29,833

29,303

30,817

Total consumer

909,398

907,130

908,866

910,316

901,287

Total loans

$

3,032,343

$

2,915,792

$

2,799,475

$

2,759,583

$

2,606,430

Deposits

Total deposits were $3.3 billion as of September 30, 2024, an increase of $227.9 million, or 7.4%, from December 31, 2023. Interest-bearing deposits increased $298.5 million, while noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $70.5 million, from December 31, 2023. The increase in total deposits was due to both expanded and new commercial deposit relationships and synergistic deposit growth. Synergistic deposits were $920.6 million as of September 30, 2024, an increase of $69.1 million, or 8.1%, from December 31, 2023. The Company continued to have $0 of brokered deposits as of September 30, 2024.

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

September
30,

June 30,

March 30,

December
31,

September
30,

(dollars in thousands)

2024

2024

2024

2023

2023

Noninterest-bearing demand

$

657,547

$

701,428

$

692,500

$

728,082

$

717,990

Interest-bearing

Interest-bearing demand

1,034,694

1,003,585

938,751

840,711

759,812

Savings accounts

75,675

79,747

82,727

82,485

88,341

Money market savings

1,067,187

1,022,470

1,114,262

1,032,771

959,106

Time deposits

488,447

491,345

456,729

411,562

346,935

Total interest-bearing

2,666,003

2,597,147

2,592,469

2,367,529

2,154,194

Total deposits

$

3,323,550

$

3,298,575

$

3,284,969

$

3,095,611

$

2,872,184

Asset Quality

Total nonperforming assets were $48.0 million as of September 30, 2024, an increase of $39.3 million from December 31, 2023. $25.0 million of the increase was primarily driven by one construction, land and development loan moving to nonaccrual status in the second quarter of 2024. During the third quarter of 2024, management elected to make protective advances in order for construction to continue on that project. Management is actively working with the borrower on strategies to complete construction, preserve value and support repayment of the loan. A large residential real estate relationship and one CRE non-owner occupied loan moving to nonaccrual status also contributed $13.6 million to the increase in nonaccrual loans during the third quarter of 2024.

As of September 30, 2024, the allowance for credit losses on loans was $39.1 million, or 1.29% of total loans, compared to $35.8 million, or 1.30% of total loans, as of December 31, 2023.

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

As of and for the three months ended

September 30,

June 30,

March 30,

December 31,

September 30,

(dollars in thousands)

2024

2024

2024

2023

2023

Nonaccrual loans

$

48,026

$

27,618

$

7,345

$

8,596

$

9,007

Accruing loans 90+ days past due

139

Total nonperforming loans

48,026

27,618

7,345

8,735

9,007

OREO and repossessed assets

3

32

3

Total nonperforming assets

$

48,026

$

27,618

$

7,348

$

8,767

$

9,010

Net charge-offs/(recoveries)

316

2,522

58

(238

)

(594

)

Net charge-offs/(recoveries) to average loans

0.04

%

0.36

%

0.01

%

(0.04

)%

(0.09

)%

Nonperforming loans to total loans

1.58

%

0.95

%

0.26

%

0.32

%

0.35

%

Nonperforming assets to total assets

1.18

%

0.63

%

0.17

%

0.22

%

0.23

%

Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans

1.29

%

1.31

%

1.31

%

1.30

%

1.39

%

Allowance for credit losses on loans to nonperforming loans

82

%

139

%

498

%

410

%

403

%

For the third quarter of 2024, the Company had net charge-offs of $0.3 million, compared to net charge-offs of $2.5 million for the second quarter of 2024 and net recoveries of $0.6 million for the third quarter of 2023. The quarter-over-quarter decrease in net charge-offs was driven by a $2.6 million charge-off of one commercial and industrial loan in the second quarter of 2024.

The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $1.7 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to a provision for credit losses of $4.5 million for the second quarter of 2024 and no provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2023. The provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2024 was primarily driven by loan growth and an increase in nonaccrual loans.

The unearned fair value adjustments on the acquired Metro Phoenix Bank loan portfolio were $3.8 million as of September 30, 2024, $5.2 million as of December 31, 2023, and $5.5 million as of September 30, 2023.

Capital

Total stockholders’ equity was $386.5 million as of September 30, 2024, an increase of $17.4 million from December 31, 2023. This change was primarily driven by an improvement in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $10.2 million and an increase in retained earnings of $6.2 million. Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) increased to $16.50 as of September 30, 2024, from $15.46 as of December 31, 2023. Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP) increased to 8.11% as of September 30, 2024, from 7.94% as of December 31, 2023. Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets decreased to 11.12% as of September 30, 2024, from 11.82% as of December 31, 2023.

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

September 30,

December 31,

September 30,

2024

2023

2023

Capital Ratios(1)

Alerus Financial Corporation Consolidated

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets

11.12

%

11.82

%

13.01

%

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets

11.38

%

12.10

%

13.30

%

Total capital to risk weighted assets

14.04

%

14.76

%

16.10

%

Tier 1 capital to average assets

9.30

%

10.57

%

11.14

%

Tangible common equity / tangible assets (2)

8.11

%

7.94

%

7.47

%

Alerus Financial, N.A.

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets

10.73

%

11.40

%

12.68

%

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets

10.73

%

11.40

%

12.68

%

Total capital to risk weighted assets

11.98

%

12.51

%

13.86

%

Tier 1 capital to average assets

8.90

%

9.92

%

10.72

%

_______________

(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 Wednesday, October 30, 2024, to discuss its financial results. Attendees are encouraged to register ahead of time for the call at investors.alerus.com. The call can also be accessed via telephone at +1 (833) 470-1428, using access code 572067. 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 bank and national retirement 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, Alerus provides diversified and comprehensive financial solutions to business and consumer clients, including banking, wealth services, and retirement and benefit plans and services. Alerus provides clients with a primary point of contact to help fully understand the unique needs and delivery channel preferences of each client. Clients are provided with competitive products, valuable insight, and sound advice supported by digital solutions designed to meet the clients’ needs.

Alerus operates 29 banking and commercial wealth offices, with locations in Grand Forks and Fargo, North Dakota; the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area; Rochester, Minnesota; the southern Minnesota area; Marshalltown, Iowa; Pewaukee, Wisconsin; and Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. Alerus also operates a commercial wealth office in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Alerus Retirement and Benefit 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, adjusted 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 income, adjusted noninterest expense, adjusted pre-provision net revenue, adjusted efficiency ratio, adjusted net income, adjusted return on average assets, adjusted return on average tangible common equity, net interest margin (tax-equivalent), adjusted net interest margin (tax-equivalent), and adjusted earnings per common share - diluted. 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 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 uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances 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: interest rate risk, including the effects of changes in interest rates; our ability to successfully manage credit risk and maintain an adequate level of allowance for credit losses; new or revised accounting standards; business and economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry, nationally and within our market areas, including the level and impact of inflation and possible recession; the effects of recent developments and events in the financial services industry, including the large-scale deposit withdrawals over a short period of time that resulted in recent bank failures; our ability to raise additional capital to implement our business plan; the overall health of the local and national real estate market; concentrations within our loan portfolio; the concentration of large loans to certain borrowers; our ability to successfully manage credit risk; the level of nonperforming assets on our balance sheet; our ability to implement our organic and acquisition growth strategies, including the integration of HMNF which the Company acquired in the fourth quarter of 2024; 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; 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 technological change in the financial services industry; 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 FDIC insurance limits; the effectiveness of our risk management framework; the commencement and outcome of litigation and other legal proceedings and regulatory actions against us or to which the Company may become subject; 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 impact of recent and future legislative and regulatory changes, including in response to recent bank failures; 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, natural disasters, widespread disease or pandemics; acts of war or terrorism, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, or other adverse external events; any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting; changes to U.S. or state tax laws, regulations and guidance; potential changes in federal policy and at regulatory agencies as a result of the upcoming 2024 presidential election; talent and labor shortages and employee turnover; our success at managing 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 Securities and Exchange Commission.

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)

September 30,

December 31,

2024

2023

Assets

(Unaudited)

Cash and cash equivalents

$

65,975

$

129,893

Investment securities

Trading, at fair value

2,708

Available-for-sale, at fair value

466,003

486,736

Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (with an allowance for credit losses on investments of $137 and $151, respectively)

281,913

299,515

Loans held for sale

13,487

11,497

Loans

3,032,343

2,759,583

Allowance for credit losses on loans

(39,142

)

(35,843

)

Net loans

2,993,201

2,723,740

Land, premises and equipment, net

18,790

17,940

Operating lease right-of-use assets

9,268

5,436

Accrued interest receivable

16,469

15,700

Bank-owned life insurance

35,793

33,236

Goodwill

46,783

46,783

Other intangible assets

13,186

17,158

Servicing rights

1,874

2,052

Deferred income taxes, net

33,054

34,595

Other assets

86,136

83,432

Total assets

$

4,084,640

$

3,907,713

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Deposits

Noninterest-bearing

$

657,547

$

728,082

Interest-bearing

2,666,003

2,367,529

Total deposits

3,323,550

3,095,611

Short-term borrowings

244,700

314,170

Long-term debt

59,041

58,956

Operating lease liabilities

9,643

5,751

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

61,220

64,098

Total liabilities

3,698,154

3,538,586

Stockholders’ equity

Preferred stock, $1 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized: 0 issued and outstanding

Common stock, $1 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized: 19,790,005 and 19,734,077 issued and outstanding

19,790

19,734

Additional paid-in capital

151,257

150,343

Retained earnings

278,863

272,705

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(63,424

)

(73,655

)

Total stockholders’ equity

386,486

369,127

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

4,084,640

$

3,907,713

Alerus Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September
30,

June 30,

September
30,

September
30,

September
30,

2024

2024

2023

2024

2023

Interest Income

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

Loans, including fees

$

42,593

$

41,663

$

34,986

$

123,551

$

99,187

Investment securities

Taxable

4,596

4,845

6,146

14,008

18,222

Exempt from federal income taxes

169

170

182

512

558

Other

4,854

6,344

724

16,200

2,221

Total interest income

52,212

53,022

42,038

154,271

120,188

Interest Expense

Deposits

22,285

21,284

14,436

63,721

36,218

Short-term borrowings

6,706

7,053

6,528

19,748

15,684

Long-term debt

679

684

679

2,041

1,999

Total interest expense

29,670

29,021

21,643

85,510

53,901

Net interest income

22,542

24,001

20,395

68,761

66,287

Provision for credit losses

1,661

4,489

6,150

550

Net interest income after provision for credit losses

20,881

19,512

20,395

62,611

65,737

Noninterest Income

Retirement and benefit services

16,144

16,078

18,605

47,876

49,977

Wealth management

6,684

6,360

5,271

19,161

15,915

Mortgage banking

2,573

2,554

2,510

6,796

7,132

Service charges on deposit accounts

488

456

328

1,333

940

Other

2,474

1,923

1,693

5,891

5,475

Total noninterest income

28,363

27,371

28,407

81,057

79,439

Noninterest Expense

Compensation

21,058

20,265

19,071

60,655

57,076

Employee taxes and benefits

5,400

5,134

4,895

16,722

15,472

Occupancy and equipment expense

2,082

1,815

1,883

5,803

5,619

Business services, software and technology expense

4,879

4,599

4,774

14,823

15,367

Intangible amortization expense

1,324

1,324

1,324

3,972

3,972

Professional fees and assessments

4,267

2,373

1,716

8,633

4,397

Marketing and business development

764

651

750

2,200

2,139

Supplies and postage

422

370

410

1,321

1,275

Travel

330

332

322

954

876

Mortgage and lending expenses

684

467

689

1,592

1,401

Other

1,237

1,422

1,426

3,543

3,909

Total noninterest expense

42,447

38,752

37,260

120,218

111,503

Income before income tax expense

6,797

8,131

11,542

23,450

33,673

Income tax expense

1,590

1,923

2,381

5,604

7,222

Net income

$

5,207

$

6,208

$

9,161

$

17,846

$

26,451

Per Common Share Data

Earnings per common share

$

0.26

$

0.31

$

0.46

$

0.90

$

1.31

Diluted earnings per common share

$

0.26

$

0.31

$

0.45

$

0.89

$

1.30

Dividends declared per common share

$

0.20

$

0.20

$

0.19

$

0.59

$

0.56

Average common shares outstanding

19,788

19,777

19,872

19,768

19,977

Diluted average common shares outstanding

20,075

20,050

20,095

20,037

20,193

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)

September
30,

June 30,

December
31,

September
30,

2024

2024

2023

2023

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets

Total common stockholders’ equity

$

386,486

$

373,226

$

369,127

$

349,402

Less: Goodwill

46,783

46,783

46,783

46,783

Less: Other intangible assets

13,186

14,510

17,158

18,482

Tangible common equity (a)

326,517

311,933

305,186

284,137

Total assets

4,084,640

4,358,623

3,907,713

3,869,138

Less: Goodwill

46,783

46,783

46,783

46,783

Less: Other intangible assets

13,186

14,510

17,158

18,482

Tangible assets (b)

4,024,671

4,297,330

3,843,772

3,803,873

Tangible common equity to tangible assets (a)/(b)

8.11

%

7.26

%

7.94

%

7.47

%

Adjusted Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets

Tangible assets (b)

$

4,024,671

$

4,297,330

$

3,843,772

$

3,803,873

Less: Cash proceeds from BTFP

355,000

Adjusted tangible assets (c)

4,024,671

3,942,330

3,843,772

3,803,873

Adjusted tangible common equity to tangible assets (a)/(c)

8.11

%

7.91

%

7.94

%

7.47

%

Tangible Book Value Per Common Share

Total common stockholders’ equity

$

386,486

$

373,226

$

369,127

$

349,402

Less: Goodwill

46,783

46,783

46,783

46,783

Less: Other intangible assets

13,186

14,510

17,158

18,482

Tangible common equity (d)

326,517

311,933

305,186

284,137

Total common shares issued and outstanding (e)

19,790

19,778

19,734

19,848

Tangible book value per common share (d)/(e)

$

16.50

$

15.77

$

15.46

$

14.32

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30,

June 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

2024

2024

2023

2024

2023

Return on Average Tangible Common Equity

Net income

$

5,207

$

6,208

$

9,161

$

17,846

$

26,451

Add: Intangible amortization expense (net of tax) (1)

1,046

1,046

1,046

3,138

3,138

Net income, excluding intangible amortization (f)

6,253

7,254

10,207

20,984

29,589

Average total equity

375,229

369,217

361,735

370,758

361,260

Less: Average goodwill

46,783

46,783

46,882

46,783

47,018

Less: Average other intangible assets (net of tax) (1)

10,933

11,969

15,109

11,969

16,149

Average tangible common equity (g)

317,513

310,465

299,744

312,006

298,093

Return on average tangible common equity (f)/(g)

7.83

%

9.40

%

13.51

%

8.98

%

13.27

%

Efficiency Ratio

Noninterest expense

$

42,447

$

38,752

$

37,260

$

120,218

$

111,503

Less: Intangible amortization expense

1,324

1,324

1,324

3,972

3,972

Adjusted noninterest expense (h)

41,123

37,428

35,936

116,246

107,531

Net interest income

22,542

24,001

20,395

68,761

66,287

Noninterest income

28,363

27,371

28,407

81,057

79,439

Tax-equivalent adjustment

314

255

180

816

444

Total tax-equivalent revenue (i)

51,219

51,627

48,982

150,634

146,170

Efficiency ratio (h)/(i)

80.29

%

72.50

%

73.37

%

77.17

%

73.57

%

______________

(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

Nine months ended

September
30,

June 30,

September
30,

September
30,

September
30,

2024

2024

2023

2024

2023

Pre-Provision Net Revenue

Net interest income

$

22,542

$

24,001

$

20,395

$

68,761

$

66,287

Add: Noninterest income

28,363

27,371

28,407

81,057

79,439

Less: Noninterest expense

42,447

38,752

37,260

120,218

111,503

Pre-provision net revenue

$

8,458

$

12,620

$

11,542

$

29,600

$

34,223

Adjusted Noninterest Income

Noninterest income

$

28,363

$

27,371

$

28,407

$

81,057

$

79,439

Less: Adjusted noninterest income items

BOLI mortality proceeds (non-taxable)

1,196

Gain on sale of ESOP trustee business

2,775

2,775

Net gain on sale of premises and equipment

476

476

Total adjusted noninterest income items (j)

476

2,775

476

3,971

Adjusted noninterest income (k)

$

27,887

$

27,371

$

25,632

$

80,581

$

75,468

Adjusted Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense

$

42,447

$

38,752

$

37,260

$

120,218

$

111,503

Less: Adjusted noninterest expense items

HMNF merger- and acquisition-related expenses

1,661

563

2,251

Severance and signing bonus expense

31

315

343

626

1,475

Total adjusted noninterest expense items (l)

1,692

878

343

2,877

1,475

Adjusted noninterest expense (m)

$

40,755

$

37,874

$

36,917

$

117,341

$

110,028

Adjusted Pre-Provision Net Revenue

Net interest income

$

22,542

$

24,001

$

20,395

$

68,761

$

66,287

Add: Adjusted noninterest income (k)

27,887

27,371

25,632

80,581

75,468

Less: Adjusted noninterest expense (m)

40,755

37,874

36,917

117,341

110,028

Adjusted pre-provision net revenue

$

9,674

$

13,498

$

9,110

$

32,001

$

31,727

Adjusted Efficiency Ratio

Adjusted noninterest expense (m)

$

40,755

$

37,874

$

36,917

$

117,341

$

110,028

Less: Intangible amortization expense

1,324

1,324

1,324

3,972

3,972

Adjusted noninterest expense for efficiency ratio (n)

39,431

36,550

35,593

113,369

106,056

Tax-equivalent revenue

Net interest income

22,542

24,001

20,395

68,761

66,287

Add: Adjusted noninterest income (k)

27,887

27,371

25,632

80,581

75,468

Add: Tax-equivalent adjustment

314

255

180

816

444

Total tax-equivalent revenue (o)

50,743

51,627

46,207

150,158

142,199

Adjusted efficiency ratio (n)/(o)

77.71

%

70.80

%

77.03

%

75.50

%

74.58

%

Adjusted Net Income

Net income

$

5,207

$

6,208

$

9,161

$

17,846

$

26,451

Less: Adjusted noninterest income items (net of tax) (1) (j)

376

2,192

376

3,388

Add: Adjusted noninterest expense items (net of tax) (1) (l)

1,337

694

271

2,273

1,165

Adjusted net income (p)

$

6,168

$

6,902

$

7,240

$

19,743

$

24,228

Adjusted Return on Average Assets

Average total assets (q)

$

4,298,080

$

4,297,294

$

3,821,601

$

4,245,181

$

3,799,645

Adjusted return on average assets (p)/(q)

0.57

%

0.65

%

0.75

%

0.62

%

0.85

%

Adjusted Return on Average Tangible Common Equity

Adjusted net income (p)

$

6,168

$

6,902

$

7,240

$

19,743

$

24,228

Add: Intangible amortization expense (net of tax) (1)

1,046

1,046

1,046

3,138

3,138

Adjusted net income, excluding intangible amortization (r)

7,214

7,948

8,286

22,881

27,366

Average total equity

375,229

369,217

361,735

370,758

361,260

Less: Average goodwill

46,783

46,783

46,882

46,783

47,018

Less: Average other intangible assets (net of tax)

10,933

11,969

15,109

11,969

16,149

Average tangible common equity (s)

317,513

310,465

299,744

312,006

298,093

Return on average tangible common equity (r)/(s)

9.04

%

10.30

%

10.97

%

9.80

%

12.27

%

______________

(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

Nine months ended

September
30,

June 30,

September
30,

September
30,

September
30,

2024

2024

2023

2024

2023

Adjusted Net Interest Margin (Tax-Equivalent)

Net interest income

$

22,542

$

24,001

$

20,395

$

68,761

$

66,287

Less: BTFP cash interest income

4,113

4,766

12,494

Add: BTFP interest expense

3,717

4,307

11,291

Less: Purchase accounting net accretion

152

985

294

1,429

969

Net interest income excluding BTFP impact

21,994

22,557

20,101

66,129

65,318

Add: Tax equivalent adjustment for loans and securities

314

255

180

816

444

Adjusted net interest income (t)

$

22,308

$

22,812

$

20,281

$

66,945

$

65,762

Interest earning assets

4,077,716

4,075,003

3,591,478

4,024,942

3,574,675

Less: Average cash proceeds balance from BTFP

303,043

355,000

309,051

Add: Change in unearned purchase accounting discount

152

985

294

1,429

969

Adjusted interest earning assets (u)

$

3,774,825

$

3,720,988

$

3,591,772

$

3,717,320

$

3,575,644

Adjusted net interest margin (tax-equivalent) (t)/(u)

2.35

%

2.47

%

2.24

%

2.41

%

2.46

%

Adjusted Earnings Per Common Share - Diluted

Adjusted net income (p)

$

6,168

$

6,902

$

7,240

$

19,743

$

24,228

Less: Dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities

24

38

67

102

186

Net income available to common stockholders (v)

6,144

6,864

7,173

19,641

24,042

Weighted-average common shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share (w)

20,075

20,050

20,095

20,037

20,193

Adjusted earnings per common share - diluted (v)/(w)

$

0.31

$

0.34

$

0.36

$

0.98

$

1.19

_____________

(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

Nine months ended

September 30, 2024

June 30, 2024

September 30, 2023

September 30, 2024

September 30, 2023

Average

Average

Average

Average

Average

Average

Yield/

Average

Yield/

Average

Yield/

Average

Yield/

Average

Yield/

Balance

Rate

Balance

Rate

Balance

Rate

Balance

Rate

Balance

Rate

Interest Earning Assets

Interest-bearing deposits with banks

$

326,350

5.47

%

$

448,245

5.38

%

$

29,450

3.09

%

$

375,365

5.39

%

$

35,892

3.45

%

Investment securities (1)

749,062

2.55

756,413

2.69

971,913

2.60

760,219

2.58

1,004,436

2.52

Loans held for sale

15,795

3.20

16,473

8.91

16,518

5.55

13,768

6.01

13,822

5.29

Loans

Commercial and industrial

593,685

7.26

578,544

7.39

523,263

6.61

578,839

7.21

524,083

6.54

CRE − Construction, land and development

184,611

5.68

126,744

8.01

88,450

8.52

146,454

7.03

93,098

7.46

CRE − Multifamily

242,558

5.62

243,076

5.52

209,020

5.17

245,372

5.57

171,043

5.15

CRE − Non-owner occupied

663,539

5.88

617,338

5.90

491,948

5.34

615,320

5.85

492,098

5.15

CRE − Owner occupied

289,963

5.41

283,754

5.47

256,983

5.22

284,315

5.41

253,460

5.03

Agricultural − Land

42,162

4.93

40,932

4.72

40,685

4.85

41,138

4.80

39,417

4.77

Agricultural − Production

40,964

6.84

38,004

6.69

32,386

6.68

38,110

6.65

29,377

6.42

RRE − First lien

689,382

3.98

694,866

4.07

681,610

3.83

695,313

4.02

667,041

3.75

RRE − Construction

16,792

3.86

21,225

5.38

33,264

5.14

19,847

4.89

33,693

4.99

RRE − HELOC

130,705

8.00

123,233

8.30

118,965

8.24

124,321

8.19

118,630

7.97

RRE − Junior lien

36,818

5.74

36,181

6.60

35,974

5.89

36,276

6.23

35,034

5.70

Other consumer

37,768

6.76

33,335

6.67

32,288

6.11

33,329

6.64

38,148

5.99

Total loans (1)

2,968,947

5.73

2,837,232

5.88

2,544,836

5.44

2,858,634

5.78

2,495,122

5.30

Federal Reserve/FHLB stock

17,562

8.25

16,640

8.53

28,761

6.83

16,956

8.30

25,403

6.81

Total interest earning assets

4,077,716

5.12

4,075,003

5.26

3,591,478

4.66

4,024,942

5.15

3,574,675

4.51

Noninterest earning assets

220,364

222,291

230,123

220,239

224,970

Total assets

$

4,298,080

$

4,297,294

$

3,821,601

$

4,245,181

$

3,799,645

Interest-Bearing Liabilities

Interest-bearing demand deposits

$

1,003,595

2.31

%

$

959,119

2.24

%

$

751,455

1.34

%

$

944,143

2.18

%

$

757,995

1.16

%

Money market and savings deposits

1,146,896

3.82

1,147,525

3.79

1,073,297

3.20

1,160,391

3.79

1,127,630

2.72

Time deposits

485,533

4.46

458,125

4.50

327,264

3.94

458,545

4.47

276,797

3.26

Fed funds purchased and BTFP

327,543

4.97

366,186

4.90

312,121

5.50

325,455

4.95

320,861

5.23

FHLB short-term advances

200,000

5.20

200,000

5.21

173,913

5.02

200,000

5.13

84,982

4.92

Long-term debt

59,027

4.58

58,999

4.66

58,914

4.57

58,999

4.62

58,886

4.54

Total interest-bearing liabilities

3,222,594

3.66

3,189,954

3.66

2,696,964

3.18

3,147,533

3.63

2,627,151

2.74

Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Noninterest-bearing deposits

628,114

665,930

692,742

656,553

743,253

Other noninterest-bearing liabilities

72,143

72,193

70,160

70,337

67,981

Stockholders’ equity

375,229

369,217

361,735

370,758

361,260

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

4,298,080

$

4,297,294

$

3,821,601

$

4,245,181

$

3,799,645

Net interest income (1)

Net interest rate spread

1.46

%

1.60

%

1.48

%

1.52

%

1.77

%

Net interest margin, tax-equivalent (1)

2.23

%

2.39

%

2.27

%

2.31

%

2.50

%

_____________

(1)

Taxable-equivalent adjustment was calculated utilizing a marginal income tax rate of 21.0%.

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