United States securities and exchange commission logo September 22, 2023 Katie A. Lorenson Chief Executive Officer Alerus Financial Corporation 401 Demers Avenue Grand Forks, ND 58201 Re: Alerus Financial Corporation Registration Statement on Form S-3 Filed September 14, 2023 File No. 333-274509 Dear Katie A. Lorenson: This is to advise you that we have not reviewed and will not review your registration statement. Please refer to Rules 460 and 461 regarding requests for acceleration. We remind you that the company and its management are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or absence of action by the staff. Please contact Aisha Adegbuyi at 202-551-8754 with any questions. Sincerely, Division of Corporation Finance Office of Finance cc: Joseph T. Ceithaml, Esq.