Alerus Financial's history dates back to August 29, 1879, with the formation of the Bank of Grand Forks by Mr. S. S. Titus.

The bank quickly outgrew its building and moved into a new brick structure at the corner of South Third Street and Kittson Avenue.

In 1896, the newly merged First National Bank moved into the St. John's Block building at the corner of DeMers Avenue and Third Street.

This corner was viewed by most as the commercial center of Grand Forks and the bank's five-story building dominated the intersection.

[5] It also purchased Alliance Benefit Group North Central States, Inc. (ABG), in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

It operates full-service banks and wealth management offices in Greater Grand Forks, Northwood, and Fargo-Moorhead, North Dakota, the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, and Scottsdale and Mesa, Arizona.

Alerus Retirement and Benefits plan administration offices are located in St. Paul and Albert Lea, Minnesota, East Lansing and Troy, Michigan, and Bedford, New Hampshire.