Business Description

and History Alerus Financial Corporation (the “Company”) is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Through the Company’s subsidiary, Alerus Financial, National Association (the “Bank”), the Company provides innovative and comprehensive financial solutions to businesses and consumers through three distinct business segments—banking, retirement and benefit services, and wealth. In prior periods, the Company had a fourth operating segment, mortgage. As of January 1, 2024, the mortgage division was fully integrated into the banking division to reflect the way the Company currently manages and views the business. These solutions are delivered through a relationship oriented primary point of contact along with responsive and client friendly technology. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $5.2 billion of total assets, $4.0 billion of total loans, $4.2 billion of total deposits, $564.9 million of stockholders’ equity, $44.9 billion of assets under administration/management in the Company’s retirement and benefit services segment, and $4.9 billion of assets under administration/management in the Company’s wealth segment. The Company’s business model produces strong financial performance and a diversified revenue stream, which has helped the Company establish a brand and culture yielding both a loyal client base and passionate and dedicated employees. The Company believes its client first and advice-based philosophy, diversified business model and history of high performance and growth distinguishes the Company from other financial service providers. The Company generates its revenues from both net interest income and noninterest income. Net interest income is derived from offering the Company’s traditional banking products and services. Noninterest income is driven primarily by the Company’s retirement and benefit services and wealth business segments. 4 Table of Contents The Company’s operations date back to 1879, when it was originally founded as the Bank of Grand Forks, one of the first banks chartered in the Dakota Territory. In 2000, the Company changed its name to Alerus Financial Corporation, reflecting the Company’s evolution from a traditional community bank to a high value financial services company focused on serving the needs of businesses and consumers who desire comprehensive financial solutions delivered through relationship-based advice and service. Since this rebranding, the Company has experienced significant growth, both organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. This growth has allowed the Company to build a diversified franchise and expand its geographic footprint into growing metropolitan areas. The Company believes these initiatives have transformed itself into a high tech, high touch client service provider, increased earnings and allowed the Company to return more value to stockholders. The Company ’ s Business Model and Products and Services General The Company’s business model is client centric, with a focus on offering a diversified range of solutions to clients who desire an advice-based relationship, enabling the Company to become the preferred financial services provider for clients. Through this approach, instead of focusing on the broader population, the Company targets specific business and consumer segments that the Company believes it can serve better than its competitors and that have meaningful growth potential. By offering sound financial advice and a long-term partnership, the Company believes it aligns best with clients who are achievement oriented in their purpose and will allow the Company to play an active role in their success at all stages of their businesses and lives. The Company classifies its consumer clients based on their financial needs and goals, aligning best with those clients with complex situations. The Company’s business clients are classified by industry, with a focus on specific high priority industries and client types, including professional services, finance and insurance, wholesale, small business, construction, retail, and manufacturers. The Company targets businesses with sales between $1.0 million and $100.0 million. The Company’s commitment to delivering diversified solutions is driven by the Company’s “One Alerus” initiative, launched in 2017, which enables the Company to bring all of its product and service offerings to clients in a cohesive and seamless manner.…