Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Randy L. Newman, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alerus Financial Corporation (the “Company”) hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

(1)  The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

	Alerus Financial Corporation
March 26, 2020	/s/ Randy L. Newman
	Randy L. Newman
	Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
	(Principal Executive Officer)