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    ALERUS FINANCIAL (ALRS)

    Q2 2024 Earnings Summary

    Reported on Apr 28, 2025
    Pre-Earnings PriceN/ADate unavailable
    Post-Earnings PriceN/ADate unavailable
    Price ChangeN/A

    What went well

    • Consistent Deposit Growth: The Q&A highlighted that deposit wins are broad-based, especially in the mid-market C&I and government non-profit segments, reinforcing a sustainable growth in core deposits even in a competitive environment.
    • Margin Expansion Potential: Management expects net interest margins to improve, with modeling indicating a path to over 3% by 2026—even before considering accretive impacts from the HMN deal.
    • Strategic Acquisition & Integration Synergies: Positive feedback from HMN Financial’s integration and the addition of an equipment finance team indicate strong cross-selling opportunities and a diversified revenue base that could drive future growth.

    What went wrong

    • Credit Risks: The Q&A highlighted deteriorating loan quality—specifically, issues with a construction loan that moved to nonaccrual with only 25% reserved and an impacted C&I loan with prior charge-offs—raising concerns over further credit defaults if borrowers delay additional equity injections or if liquidation processes worsen.
    • Margin Expansion Uncertainty: Guidance on achieving a 3% net interest margin by 2026 is contingent upon expected rate cuts (e.g., a 100 basis points cut). If market conditions or Fed actions deviate from these assumptions, there is a risk that net interest income and overall margins may underperform.
    • Acquisition and Integration Risks: The pending acquisition of HMN Financial, while promising synergies, introduces integration risks. Any unforeseen operational challenges or delays in regulatory approval could result in higher merger-related expenses and disrupt anticipated revenue benefits.

    Q&A Summary

    1. Margin Outlook
      Q: When to hit 3% margin by year-end?
      A: Management expects margins to reach the low 3% range on an annual basis by 2026, based on current balance‐sheet remixing, excluding the HMN deal at present.

    2. Swap Impact
      Q: How do swaps and rates affect NII?
      A: With $400 million of swaps rolling off and another $200 million later, they anticipate a mid–single-digit NII improvement if the Fed cuts 100 basis points, reflecting a shift back to liability sensitivity.

    3. Balance Sheet Strategy
      Q: Has balance sheet optimization changed due to rates?
      A: They are continually reassessing balance sheet restructuring, and the HMN acquisition adds flexibility to fine–tune their liability versus asset sensitivity over the longer term.

    4. Loan-to-Deposit Ratio
      Q: What is your loan-to-deposit ratio target?
      A: They are aiming for a target of 95%, which remains their internal goal amid strong balance sheet activity.

    5. Deposit Growth Sensitivity
      Q: Do rate cuts hurt deposit growth rates?
      A: They do not expect rate cuts to materially affect deposit growth since their long–tenured, synergistic clients continue to increase their balances.

    6. Deposit Growth Drivers
      Q: What fuels sustained deposit growth?
      A: Success is driven by mid–market C&I, government non–profit segments, and effective retail outreach that brings in additional cash, ensuring broad–based deposit wins.

    7. TFP & Expense Guidance
      Q: Will TFP remain on the books and expenses rise?
      A: They expect the TFP to remain on the balance sheet through 2024 while overall expenses edge up in the mid–single digits, factoring in seasonal tech spend and merger expenses including HMN’s closing.

    8. Retirement Acquisition Plans
      Q: What’s the update on retirement acquisition discussions?
      A: The new retirement team is actively exploring acquisition opportunities, though nothing is imminent, as they remain very selective while leveraging extensive industry contacts.

    9. HMNF Integration
      Q: How is the HMN integration progressing?
      A: Integration is going extremely well in Rochester with strong employee engagement and positive customer feedback, and closing is targeted for the fourth quarter.

    10. Equipment Finance Team
      Q: When will equipment finance add growth?
      A: They expect initial activity this year with full cross–selling opportunities starting next year, aiming to capture roughly 30% of equipment note deposits as a wedge into broader relationships.

    11. Construction Credit Details
      Q: What’s the status of your construction credit?
      A: The construction loan, which is 80% complete and carries a 25% reserve, is progressing with feasible equity options, despite delays in the next injection.

    12. Charge-Off & Credit Details
      Q: Can you detail the extra credit concerns?
      A: They anticipate normalized charge–off levels, with adjustments as re–valuations occur; additionally, the C&I loan originated in 2020 was weakened by Covid, while the multifamily construction loan from August 2022 is under close review.

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