Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Significant Accounting Policies
Organization	Alerus Financial Corporation is a financial holding company organized under the laws of Delaware. Alerus Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries, or the Company is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Through its subsidiary, Alerus Financial, National Association, or the Bank, the Company provides innovative and comprehensive financial solutions to businesses and consumers through four distinct business lines – banking, retirement and benefit services, wealth management, and mortgage. The Bank operates under a national charter and provides full banking services. As a national bank, the Bank is subject to regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Initial Public Offering	Initial Public Offering On September 17, 2019, the Company sold 2,860,000 shares of common stock in its initial public offering. On September 25, 2019, the Company sold an additional 429,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise in full, by the underwriters, of their option to purchase additional shares. The aggregate offering price for the shares sold by the Company was $69.1 million, and after deducting $4.7 million of underwriting discounts and $1.6 million of offering expenses paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $62.8 million. Policies which materially affect the determination of financial position, cash flows, and results of operations are summarized below.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling interest. Significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the normal course of business, the Company may enter into a transaction with a variable interest entity, or VIE. VIEs are legal entities whose investors lack the ability to make decisions about the entity’s activities, or whose equity investors do not have the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. The applicable accounting guidance requires the Company to perform ongoing quantitative and qualitative analysis to determine whether it must consolidate any VIE. The Company does not have any ownership interest in or exert any control over any VIE, and thus no VIEs are included in the consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term include the valuation of investment securities, determination of the allowance for loan losses, valuation of reporting units for the purpose of testing goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment, valuation of deferred tax assets, and fair values of financial instruments.
Emerging Growth Company	Emerging Growth Company The Company qualifies as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, and may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, even if the Company complies with the greater obligations of public companies that are not emerging growth companies, the Company may avail itself of the reduced requirements applicable to emerging growth companies from time to time in the future, so long as the Company is an emerging growth company. The Company will continue to be an emerging growth company until the earliest to occur of: (1) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities under the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, which was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on September 12, 2019; (2) the last day of the fiscal year in which the Company has $1.07 billion or more in annual revenues; (3) the date on which the Company is deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act; or (4) the date on which the Company has, during the previous three-year period, issued publicly or privately, more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities. Management cannot predict if investors will find the Company’s common stock less attractive because it will rely on the exemptions available to emerging growth companies. If some investors find the Company’s common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for its common stock and the Company’s stock price may be more volatile. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933 for complying with new or revised accounting standards. As an emerging growth company, the Company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. The Company elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.
Concentrations of Credit Risk	Concentrations of Credit Risk Substantially all of the Company’s lending activities are with clients located within North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona. At December 31, 2021 and 2020 respectively, 24.8% and 35.0% of the Company’s loan portfolio consisted of commercial and industrial loans that were not secured by real estate. The Company does not have any significant loan concentrations in any one industry or with any one client. Note 6 discusses the Company’s loan portfolio. The Company invests in a variety of investment securities and does not have any significant concentrations in any one industry or to any one issuer. Note 5 discusses the Company’s investment securities portfolio.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and due from banks includes cash and cash equivalents, balances due from banks, and federal funds sold, all of which have an original maturity within 90 days. Cash flows from loans and deposits are reported net. Interest-bearing deposits in banks are carried at cost.
Investment Securities	Investment Securities Debt securities that are held for short-term resale are classified as trading securities and carried at estimated fair value, with increases and decreases in estimated fair value recognized in net gains (losses) on investment securities within the statements of income. Other marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at estimated fair value. Realized gains (losses) on investment securities available-for-sale are included in net gains (losses) on investment securities and, when applicable, are reported as a reclassification adjustment, net of tax, in other comprehensive income. Gains (losses) on sales of investment securities are determined using the specific identification method on the trade date. The amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recognized in interest income using methods approximating the interest method over the period to maturity. Declines in the estimated fair value of individual available-for-sale investment securities below their cost that are other than temporary, result in write-downs of the individual investment securities to their estimated fair value. The Company monitors the investment security portfolio for impairment on an individual security basis and has a process in place to identify investment securities that could potentially have a credit impairment that is other than temporary. This process involves analyzing the length of time and the extent to which the estimated fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis, the market liquidity for the security, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, expected cash flows, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to recover the temporary loss. The ability to hold is determined by whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. A decline in value due to a credit event that is considered other than temporary is recorded as a loss in noninterest income. Held-to-maturity securities consist of debt securities, primarily obligations of state and political agencies. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost based on the Company’s intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity. Interest earned on held-to-maturity debt securities is included in interest income. Amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts is also recognized in interest income using the effective interest method over the contractual life of the security and is adjusted to reflect actual prepayments. Transfers of debt securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity are made at fair value at the date of transfer. Unrealized holding gains and losses at the date of transfer are included in other comprehensive income and in the carrying value of held-to-maturity security are amortized over the remaining life of the security. Equity investments for which readily determinable values are unavailable are carried at cost in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Nonmarketable Equity Securities Nonmarketable equity securities include the Bank’s required investments in the stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, or the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank, or the FRB. The Bank is a member of the FHLB as well as its regional FRB. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based of the level of borrowing and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock and FRB stock are carried at cost, classified as other assets, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.
Loans Held for Sale/Branch Sale	Loans Held for Sale/Branch Sale Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in the aggregate. Net unrealized losses are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income. Gains (losses) on loan sales are recorded in mortgage banking revenue on the consolidated statements of income.
Loans	Loans Loans are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by an allowance for loan losses. Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future, until maturity or pay-off, generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge-offs, and the allowance for loan losses. Loan fees received that are associated with originating or acquiring certain loans are deferred, net of costs, and amortized over the life of the loan as a yield adjustment to interest income. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due unless the credit is well-secured and in process of collection. Consumer loans are typically charged-off no later than 120 days past due. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest in considered doubtful. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
Allowance for Loan Losses	Allowance for Loan Losses The allowance for loan losses (allowance) is an estimate of loan losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio. The allowance is established through a provision for loan losses which is charged to expense. Additions to the allowance are expected to maintain the adequacy of the total allowance after loan losses and loan growth. Loan losses are charged-off against the allowance when the Company determines the loan balance to be uncollectible. Cash received on previously charged-off amounts is recorded as a recovery to the allowance. The allowance consists of three primary components, general reserves, specific reserves related to impaired loans, and unallocated reserves. The general component covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical losses adjusted for current qualitative factors. The historical loss experience is determined by portfolio segment and is based on the actual loss history experienced by the Company over the most recent five years. This actual loss experience is adjusted for economic factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. These economic factors include consideration of the following: levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards; other changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations. These factors are inherently subjective and are driven by the repayment risk associated with each portfolio segment. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans determined to be impaired are individually evaluated for impairment. When a loan is impaired, the Company measures impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the original contractual interest rate, except that as a practical expedient, it may measure impairment based on an observable market price for the estimated fair value of the collateral if collateral dependent. A loan is collateral dependent if the repayment is expected to be provided solely by the underlying collateral. Allowance allocations other than general and specific are included in the unallocated portion. While allocations are made for loans based upon historical loss analysis, the unallocated portion is designed to cover the uncertainty of how current economic conditions and other uncertainties may impact the existing loan portfolio. Factors to consider include national and state economic conditions such as unemployment or real estate lending values. The unallocated reserve addresses inherent probable losses not included elsewhere in the allowance for loan losses. The Company maintains a separate general valuation allowance for each portfolio segment. These portfolio segments include commercial and industrial, real estate construction, commercial real estate, residential real estate first mortgage, residential real estate junior liens, and other revolving and installment with risk characteristics described as follows: Commercial and Industrial: Commercial and industrial loans consist of all commercial and industrial loans as well as agricultural production and other commercial loans. Commercial and industrial loans generally possess a lower inherent risk of loss than real estate portfolio segments as these loans are generally underwritten based on the cash flows of the operating business. Repayment is provided by business cash flows and is influenced by economic trends such as unemployment rates and other key economic factors. Agricultural loans generally possess a lower inherent risk of loss than real estate portfolio segments for the same reasons as commercial and industrial loans. However, they generally possess greater volatility of risk due to commodity pricing, which can lead to cash flow and collateral shortfalls. Real Estate Construction: Real estate construction loans generally possess a higher inherent risk of loss than commercial and retail real estate portfolio segments. Significant inherent risks are project completion, cost overruns, and adherence to construction schedule. Additionally, real estate values could significantly impact the credit quality of these loans. Commercial Real Estate: Commercial real estate loans generally possess a higher inherent risk of loss than other real estate portfolio segments, except real estate construction and agricultural land loans. Adverse economic developments such as high vacancy rates or decreasing real estate values may impact commercial real estate credit quality. Agricultural real estate loans are primarily comprised of loans for the purchase of farmland. Risks associated with farmland include volatility of real estate values driven by commodity prices, among other economic trends. Residential real estate first and junior liens: The degree of risk in residential mortgage lending depends primarily on the loan amount in relation to collateral value, the interest rate, and the borrower’s ability to repay in an orderly fashion. These loans generally possess a lower inherent risk of loss than commercial real estate portfolio segments. Credit quality is impacted by unemployment rates and other key economic indicators. Other Revolving and Installment: The consumer loan portfolio is primarily comprised of homogenous loans. Credit quality is impacted by unemployment rates and other key economic indicators. Although management believes the allowance to be adequate, actual losses may vary from its estimates. On a quarterly basis, management reviews the adequacy of the allowance, including consideration of the relevant risks in the portfolio, current economic conditions, and other factors. If the board of directors and management determine that changes are warranted based on those reviews, the allowance is adjusted.
Off-Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments	Off-Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under credit arrangements, commercial letters of credit, and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. The Company establishes a reserve for unfunded commitments using historical loss data and utilization assumptions. This reserve is located under accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Land, Premises and Equipment, Net	Land, Premises and Equipment, Net Land is carried at cost. Other premises and equipment are carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line method based principally on the estimated useful lives of the assets. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred while major additions and improvements are capitalized. Gains (losses) on dispositions are included in current operations.
Bank-Owned Life Insurance	Bank-Owned Life Insurance The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain key executives. Bank-owned life insurance is recorded at its cash surrender value, or the amount that can be realized, if lower.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net	Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net Goodwill resulting from acquisitions is not amortized, but is tested for impairment annually. As part of its testing, the Company first assesses the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount using these qualitative factors, the Company then compares the estimated fair value of the goodwill with its carrying amount, and then measures impairment loss by comparing the estimated fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Significant judgment is applied when goodwill is assessed for impairment. This judgment includes developing cash flow projections, selecting appropriate discount rates, identifying relevant market comparables, incorporating general economic and market conditions, and selecting an appropriate control premium. At December 31, 2021, the Company believes it did not have any indications of potential impairment based on the estimated fair value of the reporting units. Intangible assets determined to have definite lives are amortized over the remaining useful lives. Intangible and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events occur or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Servicing Rights	Servicing Rights Servicing rights are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through the sale of loans. Servicing rights are initially recorded at estimated fair value based on assumptions provided by a third-party valuation service. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as servicing cost per loan, the discount rate, the escrow float rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds, and default rates and losses. Loan servicing income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes servicing fees from investors and certain charges collected from borrowers, such as late payment fees, and is net of estimated fair value adjustments to capitalized mortgage servicing rights. Capitalized servicing rights are amortized into noninterest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future servicing income of the underlying loans. Servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the estimated fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights by predominant characteristics, such as interest rates and terms. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual tranche, to the extent that estimated fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the tranche. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular tranche, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income. Servicing fee income is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal, or a fixed amount per loan, and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company tests long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. In the event such an asset is considered impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying value of estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell.
Foreclosed Assets	Foreclosed Assets Assets acquired through loan foreclosure are included in other assets and are initially recorded at estimated fair value less estimated selling costs. The estimated fair value of foreclosed assets is evaluated regularly and any decreases in value along with holding costs, such as taxes, insurance and utilities, are reported in noninterest expense.
Transfers of Financial Assets and Participating Interests	Transfers of Financial Assets and Participating Interests Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over assets has been surrendered or in the case of loan participation, a portion of the asset has been surrendered and meets the definition of a “participating interest.” Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when 1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, 2) the transferee obtains the rights to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and 3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. Should the transfer not meet these three criteria, the transaction is treated as a secured financing. Loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Servicing loans for others generally consists of collecting mortgage payments, maintaining escrow accounts, disbursing payments to investors and collection and foreclosure processing.
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	Derivatives and Hedging Activities In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into derivative transactions to manage various risks and to accommodate the business requirements of its clients. Derivative instruments are reported in other assets or other liabilities at estimated fair value. Changes in a derivative’s estimated fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.
Noninterest Income	Noninterest Income Specific guidelines are established for recognition of certain noninterest income components related to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In accordance with Topic 606, revenues are recognized when control of promised goods or services is transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that an entity determines are within the scope of Topic 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the entity will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of Topic 606, the Company assesses the goods or services that are promised within each contract and identifies those that contain performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied. The material groups of noninterest income that this methodology is applied to are defined as follows: Retirement and benefit services: Retirement and benefit services income is primarily comprised of fees earned from the administration of retirement plans, record-keeping, compliance services, payroll processing, health savings accounts, and flexible benefit plans. Fees are earned based on a combination of the market value of assets under administration and transaction based fees for services provided. Fees that are determined based on the market value of the assets under administration are generally billed monthly or quarterly in arrears and recognized monthly as the Company’s performance obligations are met. Other transaction based fees are recognized monthly as the performance obligation is satisfied. Wealth management: Wealth management income is earned from a variety of sources including trust administration and other related fiduciary services, custody, investment management and advisory services, and brokerage. Fees are based on the market value of the assets under management and are generally billed monthly in arrears and recognized monthly as the Company’s performance obligations are met. Commissions on transactions are recognized on a trade-date basis as the performance obligation is satisfied at the point in time in which the trade is processed. Other related services are based on a fixed fee schedule and the revenue is recognized when the services are rendered, which is when the Company has satisfied its performance obligation. Service charges on deposit accounts: Service charges on deposit accounts primarily consist of account analysis fees, monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, and other deposit account related fees. Overdraft fees and certain service charges are fixed and the performance obligation is typically satisfied at the time of the related transaction. The consideration for analysis fees and monthly maintenance fees are variable as the fee can be reduced if the customer meets certain qualifying metrics. The Company’s performance obligations are satisfied at the time of the transaction or over the course of a month. Other noninterest income: Other noninterest income components include debit card interchange fees, bank-owned life insurance income and miscellaneous transactional fees. Income earned from these revenue streams is generally recognized concurrently with the satisfaction of the performance obligation.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Tax Credit Investments	Tax Credit Investments The Company invests in qualified affordable housing projects for the purpose of community reinvestment and obtaining tax credits. These investments are included in other assets on the balance sheet, and any unfunded commitments in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the balance sheet. The qualified affordable housing projects are accounted for under the proportional amortization method. Under the proportional amortization method, the initial cost of the investment is recognized over the period that the Company expects to receive the tax credits, with the expense included within income tax expense on the consolidated statements of income. Management analyzes these investments for potential impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of the investment will not be realized. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of an investment exceeds its fair value.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance would be recognized if it is “more likely than not” that the deferred tax asset would not be realized. These calculations are based on many complex factors including estimates of the timing of reversals of temporary differences, the interpretation of federal and state income tax laws, and a determination of the differences between the tax and the financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ significantly from the estimates and interpretations used in determining the current and deferred income tax liabilities. The Company follows standards related to Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. These rules establish a higher standard for tax benefits to meet before they can be recognized in a Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company can recognize in financial statements the impact of a tax position taken, or expected to be taken, if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on an audit based on the technical merit of the position. See Note 20 (Income Taxes) for additional disclosures. The Company recognizes both interest and penalties as components of other operating expenses. The amount of the uncertain tax position was not determined to be material. It is not expected that the unrecognized tax benefit will be material within the next 12 months. The Company did not incur any interest or penalties in 2021, 2020, or 2019. The Company files consolidated federal and state income tax returns. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2018.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income Recognized revenue, expenses, gains, and losses are included in net income. Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available-for-sale, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.
Stock Compensation Plans	Stock Compensation Plans Stock compensation accounting guidance requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. The cost will be measured based on the grant date estimated fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. The grant date estimated fair value is determined using the closing price of the Company’s common stock. The stock compensation accounting guidance requires that compensation cost for all stock awards be calculated and recognized over the employee’s service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded-vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share Earnings per share are calculated utilizing the two-class method. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the sum of distributed earnings to common shareholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing the sum of distributed earnings to common shareholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock awards.
New Accounting Pronouncements	Adopted Pronouncements In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) – Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by these amendments. ASU 2018-15 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 and did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01, Investments – Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815. The ASU is based on a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force and is expected to increase comparability in accounting for these transactions. ASU 2016-01 made targeted improvements to accounting for financial instruments, including providing an entity the ability to measure certain equity securities without a readily determinable fair value at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Among other topics, the amendments clarify that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting. For public business entities, the amendments in the ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2020-01 as of January 1, 2021 and the implementation had no impact on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-06, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), Financial Services – Depository and Lending (Topic 942), and Financial Services – Investment Companies (Topic 946) to provide amendments to SEC paragraphs pursuant to SEC Final Rule Releases No. 33-10786, Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Business, and No. 33-10835, Update of Statistical Disclosures for Bank and Savings and Loan Registrants. It was effective upon issuance. The amendments did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Pronouncements Not Yet Effective In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU requires a new impairment model known as the current expected credit loss, or CECL which significantly changes the way impairment of financial instruments is recognized by requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of financial instruments. The main provisions of ASU 2016-13 include (1) replacing the “incurred cost” approach under GAAP with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost, (2) requiring entities to record an allowance for credit losses related to available-for-sale debt securities rather than a direct write-down of the carrying amount of the investments, as is required by the other-than-temporary impairment model under current GAAP, and (3) a simplified accounting model for purchase credit-impaired debt securities and loans. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326). This update amends the effective date of ASU No. 2016-13 for certain entities, including private companies and smaller reporting companies, until fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal periods. Early adoption is permitted. As an emerging growth company, the Company can take advantage of this delay and plans to adopt the standard with the amended effective date. The Company does not plan to early adopt this standard but continues to work on its implementation. The Company continues collecting and retaining loan and credit data and evaluating various loss estimation models. While we currently cannot reasonably estimate the impact of adopting this standard, we expect the impact will be influenced by the composition, characteristics, and quality of our loan portfolio, as well as the general economic conditions and forecasts as of the adoption date. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which affects a variety of topics in the Codification and applies to all reporting entities within the scope of the affected accounting guidance. This update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-05, Targeted Transition Relief to provide entities with an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis for eligible instruments. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, which amends the effective date of this ASU for certain entities, including private companies and smaller reporting companies until after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. As an emerging growth company, the Company can take advantage of this delay and plans to adopt the standard with the amended effective date. This update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, for public business entities. For private companies and smaller reporting companies, this guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. As an emerging growth company, the Company can take advantage of this later effective date. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. Depending on the amendment, adoption may be applied on the retrospective, modified retrospective, or prospective basis. The Company does not expect adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-03, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments. This ASU represents changes to clarify or improve the Accounting Standards Codification, or ASU, related to seven topics. The amendments make the ASC easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. Issues 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are conforming amendments and for public business entities effective upon the issuance of the standard. Issues 6 and 7 are amendments that affect the guidance in ASU 2016-13. The Company will consider these clarifications and improvements in determining the appropriate adoption of ASU 2016-13. In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-10, Codification Improvements removing Section A which included issues 1-16 because the issues in that section will be addressed in a separate ASU. The Company will not be affected by ASU 2020-03 for any remaining sections and will continue to review new standards as they are issued. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. These amendments provide temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. It is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. In January 2021, the FASB issue ASU 2021-01. Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) in response to concerns about structural risks in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU clarifies certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that affected by the discontinuing transition. The Company is assessing both of the ASU’s and their impact on the Company’s transition away from LIBOR for its loan and other financial instruments.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Alerus Financial Corporation is a financial holding company organized under the laws of Delaware. Alerus Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries, or the Company is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Through its subsidiary, Alerus Financial, National Association, or the Bank, the Company provides innovative and comprehensive financial solutions to businesses and consumers through four distinct business lines – banking, retirement and benefit services, wealth management, and mortgage.

The Bank operates under a national charter and provides full banking services. As a national bank, the Bank is subject to regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Initial Public Offering

On September 17, 2019, the Company sold 2,860,000 shares of common stock in its initial public offering. On September 25, 2019, the Company sold an additional 429,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise in full, by the underwriters, of their option to purchase additional shares. The aggregate offering price for the shares sold by the Company was $69.1 million, and after deducting $4.7 million of underwriting discounts and $1.6 million of offering expenses paid to third parties, the Company received total net proceeds of $62.8 million.

Policies which materially affect the determination of financial position, cash flows, and results of operations are summarized below.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling interest. Significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

In the normal course of business, the Company may enter into a transaction with a variable interest entity, or VIE. VIEs are legal entities whose investors lack the ability to make decisions about the entity’s activities, or whose equity investors do not have the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. The applicable accounting guidance requires the Company to perform ongoing quantitative and qualitative analysis to determine whether it must consolidate any VIE. The Company does not have any ownership interest in or exert any control over any VIE, and thus no VIEs are included in the consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term include the valuation of investment securities, determination of the allowance for loan losses, valuation of reporting units for the purpose of testing goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment, valuation of deferred tax assets, and fair values of financial instruments.

Emerging Growth Company

The Company qualifies as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, and may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are

applicable to public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, even if the Company complies with the greater obligations of public companies that are not emerging growth companies, the Company may avail itself of the reduced requirements applicable to emerging growth companies from time to time in the future, so long as the Company is an emerging growth company. The Company will continue to be an emerging growth company until the earliest to occur of: (1) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities under the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, which was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on September 12, 2019; (2) the last day of the fiscal year in which the Company has $1.07 billion or more in annual revenues; (3) the date on which the Company is deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act; or (4) the date on which the Company has, during the previous three-year period, issued publicly or privately, more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities. Management cannot predict if investors will find the Company’s common stock less attractive because it will rely on the exemptions available to emerging growth companies. If some investors find the Company’s common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for its common stock and the Company’s stock price may be more volatile.

Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933 for complying with new or revised accounting standards. As an emerging growth company, the Company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. The Company elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Substantially all of the Company’s lending activities are with clients located within North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona. At December 31, 2021 and 2020 respectively, 24.8% and 35.0% of the Company’s loan portfolio consisted of commercial and industrial loans that were not secured by real estate. The Company does not have any significant loan concentrations in any one industry or with any one client. Note 6 discusses the Company’s loan portfolio.

The Company invests in a variety of investment securities and does not have any significant concentrations in any one industry or to any one issuer. Note 5 discusses the Company’s investment securities portfolio.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and due from banks includes cash and cash equivalents, balances due from banks, and federal funds sold, all of which have an original maturity within 90 days. Cash flows from loans and deposits are reported net.

Interest-bearing deposits in banks are carried at cost.

Investment Securities

Debt securities that are held for short-term resale are classified as trading securities and carried at estimated fair value, with increases and decreases in estimated fair value recognized in net gains (losses) on investment securities within the statements of income. Other marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at estimated fair value. Realized gains (losses) on investment securities available-for-sale are included in net gains (losses) on investment securities and, when applicable, are reported as a reclassification adjustment, net of tax, in other comprehensive income. Gains (losses) on sales of investment securities are determined using the specific identification method on the trade date. The amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recognized in interest income using methods approximating the interest method over the period to maturity.

Declines in the estimated fair value of individual available-for-sale investment securities below their cost that are other than temporary, result in write-downs of the individual investment securities to their estimated fair value. The Company monitors the investment security portfolio for impairment on an individual security basis and has a process in place to identify investment securities that could potentially have a credit impairment that is other than temporary.

This process involves analyzing the length of time and the extent to which the estimated fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis, the market liquidity for the security, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, expected cash flows, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to recover the temporary loss. The ability to hold is determined by whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. A decline in value due to a credit event that is considered other than temporary is recorded as a loss in noninterest income.

Held-to-maturity securities consist of debt securities, primarily obligations of state and political agencies. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost based on the Company’s intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity. Interest earned on held-to-maturity debt securities is included in interest income. Amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts is also recognized in interest income using the effective interest method over the contractual life of the security and is adjusted to reflect actual prepayments. Transfers of debt securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity are made at fair value at the date of transfer. Unrealized holding gains and losses at the date of transfer are included in other comprehensive income and in the carrying value of held-to-maturity security are amortized over the remaining life of the security.

Equity investments for which readily determinable values are unavailable are carried at cost in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

Nonmarketable Equity Securities

Nonmarketable equity securities include the Bank’s required investments in the stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, or the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank, or the FRB. The Bank is a member of the FHLB as well as its regional FRB. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based of the level of borrowing and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock and FRB stock are carried at cost, classified as other assets, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.

Loans Held for Sale/Branch Sale

Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in the aggregate. Net unrealized losses are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income. Gains (losses) on loan sales are recorded in mortgage banking revenue on the consolidated statements of income.

Loans

Loans are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by an allowance for loan losses. Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future, until maturity or pay-off, generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge-offs, and the allowance for loan losses. Loan fees received that are associated with originating or acquiring certain loans are deferred, net of costs, and amortized over the life of the loan as a yield adjustment to interest income.

The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due unless the credit is well-secured and in process of collection. Consumer loans are typically charged-off no later than 120 days past due. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest in considered doubtful.

All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method until qualifying

for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses (allowance) is an estimate of loan losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio. The allowance is established through a provision for loan losses which is charged to expense. Additions to the allowance are expected to maintain the adequacy of the total allowance after loan losses and loan growth. Loan losses are charged-off against the allowance when the Company determines the loan balance to be uncollectible. Cash received on previously charged-off amounts is recorded as a recovery to the allowance.

The allowance consists of three primary components, general reserves, specific reserves related to impaired loans, and unallocated reserves. The general component covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical losses adjusted for current qualitative factors. The historical loss experience is determined by portfolio segment and is based on the actual loss history experienced by the Company over the most recent five years. This actual loss experience is adjusted for economic factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. These economic factors include consideration of the following: levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards; other changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations. These factors are inherently subjective and are driven by the repayment risk associated with each portfolio segment.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans determined to be impaired are individually evaluated for impairment. When a loan is impaired, the Company measures impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the original contractual interest rate, except that as a practical expedient, it may measure impairment based on an observable market price for the estimated fair value of the collateral if collateral dependent. A loan is collateral dependent if the repayment is expected to be provided solely by the underlying collateral.

Allowance allocations other than general and specific are included in the unallocated portion. While allocations are made for loans based upon historical loss analysis, the unallocated portion is designed to cover the uncertainty of how current economic conditions and other uncertainties may impact the existing loan portfolio. Factors to consider include national and state economic conditions such as unemployment or real estate lending values. The unallocated reserve addresses inherent probable losses not included elsewhere in the allowance for loan losses.

The Company maintains a separate general valuation allowance for each portfolio segment. These portfolio segments include commercial and industrial, real estate construction, commercial real estate, residential real estate first mortgage, residential real estate junior liens, and other revolving and installment with risk characteristics described as follows:

Commercial and Industrial: Commercial and industrial loans consist of all commercial and industrial loans as well as agricultural production and other commercial loans. Commercial and industrial loans generally possess a lower inherent risk of loss than real estate portfolio segments as these loans are generally underwritten based on the cash flows of the operating business. Repayment is provided by business cash flows and is influenced by economic trends such as unemployment rates and other key economic factors. Agricultural loans generally possess a lower inherent risk of loss than real estate portfolio segments for the same reasons as commercial and industrial loans. However, they generally possess greater volatility of risk due to commodity pricing, which can lead to cash flow and collateral shortfalls.

Real Estate Construction: Real estate construction loans generally possess a higher inherent risk of loss than commercial and retail real estate portfolio segments. Significant inherent risks are project completion, cost overruns, and adherence to construction schedule. Additionally, real estate values could significantly impact the credit quality of these loans.

Commercial Real Estate: Commercial real estate loans generally possess a higher inherent risk of loss than other real estate portfolio segments, except real estate construction and agricultural land loans. Adverse economic developments such as high vacancy rates or decreasing real estate values may impact commercial real estate credit quality. Agricultural real estate loans are primarily comprised of loans for the purchase of farmland. Risks associated with farmland include volatility of real estate values driven by commodity prices, among other economic trends.

Residential real estate first and junior liens: The degree of risk in residential mortgage lending depends primarily on the loan amount in relation to collateral value, the interest rate, and the borrower’s ability to repay in an orderly fashion. These loans generally possess a lower inherent risk of loss than commercial real estate portfolio segments. Credit quality is impacted by unemployment rates and other key economic indicators.

Other Revolving and Installment: The consumer loan portfolio is primarily comprised of homogenous loans. Credit quality is impacted by unemployment rates and other key economic indicators.

Although management believes the allowance to be adequate, actual losses may vary from its estimates. On a quarterly basis, management reviews the adequacy of the allowance, including consideration of the relevant risks in the portfolio, current economic conditions, and other factors. If the board of directors and management determine that changes are warranted based on those reviews, the allowance is adjusted.

Off-Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under credit arrangements, commercial letters of credit, and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. The Company establishes a reserve for unfunded commitments using historical loss data and utilization assumptions. This reserve is located under accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Land, Premises and Equipment, Net

Land is carried at cost. Other premises and equipment are carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line method based principally on the estimated useful lives of the assets. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred while major additions and improvements are capitalized. Gains (losses) on dispositions are included in current operations.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain key executives. Bank-owned life insurance is recorded at its cash surrender value, or the amount that can be realized, if lower.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net

Goodwill resulting from acquisitions is not amortized, but is tested for impairment annually. As part of its testing, the Company first assesses the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount using these qualitative factors, the Company then compares the estimated fair value of the goodwill with its carrying amount, and then measures impairment loss by comparing the estimated fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.

Significant judgment is applied when goodwill is assessed for impairment. This judgment includes developing cash flow projections, selecting appropriate discount rates, identifying relevant market comparables, incorporating general economic and market conditions, and selecting an appropriate control premium. At December 31, 2021, the Company believes it did not have any indications of potential impairment based on the estimated fair value of the reporting units.

Intangible assets determined to have definite lives are amortized over the remaining useful lives. Intangible and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events occur or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Servicing Rights

Servicing rights are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through the sale of loans. Servicing rights are initially recorded at estimated fair value based on assumptions provided by a third-party valuation service. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as servicing cost per loan, the discount rate, the escrow float rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds, and default rates and losses. Loan servicing income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes servicing fees from investors and certain charges collected from borrowers, such as late payment fees, and is net of estimated fair value adjustments to capitalized mortgage servicing rights. Capitalized servicing rights are amortized into noninterest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future servicing income of the underlying loans.

Servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the estimated fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights by predominant characteristics, such as interest rates and terms. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual tranche, to the extent that estimated fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the tranche. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular tranche, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income.

Servicing fee income is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal, or a fixed amount per loan, and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company tests long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.

In the event such an asset is considered impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying value of estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell.

Foreclosed Assets

Assets acquired through loan foreclosure are included in other assets and are initially recorded at estimated fair value less estimated selling costs. The estimated fair value of foreclosed assets is evaluated regularly and any decreases in value along with holding costs, such as taxes, insurance and utilities, are reported in noninterest expense.

Transfers of Financial Assets and Participating Interests

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over assets has been surrendered or in the case of loan participation, a portion of the asset has been surrendered and meets the definition of a “participating interest.” Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when 1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, 2) the transferee obtains the rights to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and 3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. Should the transfer not meet these three criteria, the transaction is treated as a secured financing.

Loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Servicing loans for others generally consists of collecting mortgage payments, maintaining escrow accounts, disbursing payments to investors and collection and foreclosure processing.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into derivative transactions to manage various risks and to accommodate the business requirements of its clients.

Derivative instruments are reported in other assets or other liabilities at estimated fair value. Changes in a derivative’s estimated fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.

Noninterest Income

Specific guidelines are established for recognition of certain noninterest income components related to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In accordance with Topic 606, revenues are recognized when control of promised goods or services is transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that an entity determines are within the scope of Topic 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation.

The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the entity will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of Topic 606, the Company assesses the goods or services that are promised within each contract and identifies those that contain performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied. The material groups of noninterest income that this methodology is applied to are defined as follows:

Retirement and benefit services: Retirement and benefit services income is primarily comprised of fees earned from the administration of retirement plans, record-keeping, compliance services, payroll processing, health savings accounts, and flexible benefit plans. Fees are earned based on a combination of the market value of assets under administration and transaction based fees for services provided. Fees that are determined based on the market value of the assets under administration are generally billed monthly or quarterly in arrears and recognized monthly as the Company’s performance obligations are met. Other transaction based fees are recognized monthly as the performance obligation is satisfied.

Wealth management: Wealth management income is earned from a variety of sources including trust administration and other related fiduciary services, custody, investment management and advisory services, and brokerage. Fees are based on the market value of the assets under management and are generally billed monthly in arrears and recognized monthly as the Company’s performance obligations are met. Commissions on transactions are recognized on a trade-date basis as the performance obligation is satisfied at the point in time in which the trade is processed. Other related services are based on a fixed fee schedule and the revenue is recognized when the services are rendered, which is when the Company has satisfied its performance obligation.

Service charges on deposit accounts: Service charges on deposit accounts primarily consist of account analysis fees, monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, and other deposit account related fees. Overdraft fees and certain service charges are fixed and the performance obligation is typically satisfied at the time of the related transaction. The consideration for analysis fees and monthly maintenance fees are variable as the fee can be reduced if the customer meets certain qualifying metrics. The Company’s performance obligations are satisfied at the time of the transaction or over the course of a month.

Other noninterest income: Other noninterest income components include debit card interchange fees, bank-owned life insurance income and miscellaneous transactional fees. Income earned from these revenue streams is generally recognized concurrently with the satisfaction of the performance obligation.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

Tax Credit Investments

The Company invests in qualified affordable housing projects for the purpose of community reinvestment and obtaining tax credits. These investments are included in other assets on the balance sheet, and any unfunded commitments in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the balance sheet. The qualified affordable housing projects are accounted for under the proportional amortization method. Under the proportional amortization method, the initial cost of the investment is recognized over the period that the Company expects to receive the tax credits, with the expense included within income tax expense on the consolidated statements of income. Management analyzes these investments for potential impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of the investment will not be realized. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of an investment exceeds its fair value.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance would be recognized if it is “more likely than not” that the deferred tax asset would not be realized.

These calculations are based on many complex factors including estimates of the timing of reversals of temporary differences, the interpretation of federal and state income tax laws, and a determination of the differences between the tax and the financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ significantly from the estimates and interpretations used in determining the current and deferred income tax liabilities.

The Company follows standards related to Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. These rules establish a higher standard for tax benefits to meet before they can be recognized in a Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company can recognize in financial statements the impact of a tax position taken, or expected to be taken, if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on an audit based on the technical merit of the position. See Note 20 (Income Taxes) for additional disclosures. The Company recognizes both interest and penalties as components of other operating expenses.

The amount of the uncertain tax position was not determined to be material. It is not expected that the unrecognized tax benefit will be material within the next 12 months. The Company did not incur any interest or penalties in 2021, 2020, or 2019.

The Company files consolidated federal and state income tax returns. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2018.

Comprehensive Income

Recognized revenue, expenses, gains, and losses are included in net income. Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available-for-sale, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.

Stock Compensation Plans

Stock compensation accounting guidance requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. The cost will be measured based on the grant date estimated fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. The grant date estimated fair value is determined using the closing price of the Company’s common stock. The stock compensation accounting guidance requires that compensation cost for all stock awards be calculated and recognized over the employee’s service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded-vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per share are calculated utilizing the two-class method. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the sum of distributed earnings to common shareholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing the sum of distributed earnings to common shareholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock awards.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted Pronouncements

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) – Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by these amendments. ASU 2018-15 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 and did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01, Investments – Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815. The ASU is based on a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force and is expected to increase comparability in accounting for these transactions. ASU 2016-01 made targeted improvements to accounting for financial instruments, including providing an entity the ability to measure certain equity securities without a readily determinable fair value at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Among other topics, the amendments clarify that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting. For public business entities, the amendments in the ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2020-01 as of January 1, 2021 and the implementation had no impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-06, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), Financial Services – Depository and Lending (Topic 942), and Financial Services – Investment Companies (Topic 946) to provide amendments to SEC paragraphs pursuant to SEC Final Rule Releases No. 33-10786, Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Business, and No. 33-10835, Update of Statistical Disclosures for Bank and Savings and Loan Registrants. It was effective upon issuance. The amendments did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Pronouncements Not Yet Effective

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU requires a new impairment model known as the current expected credit loss, or CECL which significantly changes the way impairment of financial instruments is recognized by requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of financial instruments. The main provisions of ASU 2016-13 include (1) replacing the “incurred cost” approach under GAAP with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost, (2) requiring entities to record an allowance for credit losses related to available-for-sale debt securities rather than a direct write-down of the carrying amount of the investments, as is required by the other-than-temporary impairment model under current GAAP, and (3) a simplified accounting model for purchase credit-impaired debt securities and loans. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326). This update amends the effective date of ASU No. 2016-13 for certain entities, including private companies and smaller reporting companies, until fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal periods. Early adoption is permitted. As an emerging growth company, the Company can take advantage of this delay and plans to adopt the standard with the amended effective date. The Company does not plan to early adopt this standard but continues to work on its implementation. The Company continues collecting and retaining loan and credit data and evaluating various loss estimation models. While we currently cannot reasonably estimate the impact of adopting this standard, we expect the impact will be influenced by the composition, characteristics, and quality of our loan portfolio, as well as the general economic conditions and forecasts as of the adoption date.

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which affects a variety of topics in the Codification and applies to all reporting entities within the scope of the affected accounting guidance. This update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-05, Targeted Transition Relief to provide entities with an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis for eligible instruments. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, which amends the effective date of this ASU for certain entities, including private companies and smaller reporting companies until after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. As an emerging growth company, the Company can take advantage of this delay and plans to adopt the standard with the amended effective date. This update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, for public business entities. For private companies and smaller reporting companies, this guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. As an emerging growth company, the Company can take advantage of this later effective date. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. Depending on the amendment, adoption may be applied on the retrospective, modified retrospective, or prospective basis. The Company does not expect adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-03, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments. This ASU represents changes to clarify or improve the Accounting Standards Codification, or ASU, related to seven topics. The amendments make the ASC easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. Issues 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are conforming amendments and for public business entities effective upon the issuance of the standard. Issues 6 and 7 are amendments that affect the guidance in ASU 2016-13. The Company will consider these clarifications and improvements in determining the appropriate adoption of ASU 2016-13. In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-10, Codification Improvements removing Section A which included issues 1-16 because the issues in that section will be addressed in a separate ASU. The Company will not be affected by ASU 2020-03 for any remaining sections and will continue to review new standards as they are issued.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. These amendments provide temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. It is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. In January 2021, the FASB issue ASU 2021-01. Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) in response to concerns about structural risks in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU clarifies certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that affected by the discontinuing transition. The Company is assessing both of the ASU’s and their impact on the Company’s transition away from LIBOR for its loan and other financial instruments.