Name change completed for North Dakota bank

Northwestern Financial Review, Jan 1, 2001

Alerus Financial in Grand Forks, N.D., has finally taken flight as bank officials on Nov. 13 announced the name switch from the longtime moniker First National Bank North Dakota.

In the works for five years, the name change will identify the institution as more than a bank because of its array of financial services, said Randy Newman, president of the $500 million bank, which also has offices in Fargo, Northwood and West Fargo. Newman also said "North Dakota" in the bank's name was geographically restrictive.

The Alerus name, Latin for "to give wings" was unveiled on May 26.

Name changes are not new for the bank, which has roots dating to 1879 as Bank of Grand Forks-the second bank chartered in Dakota Territory. By 1881, the institution changed its name to Citizens National Bank of Grand Forks. In 1890, the bank bought First National Bank of Grand Forks and assumed its name.

The bank, however, was closed in 1933 and was reincorporated as First National Bank in Grand Forks. The most recent name change was in 1991, when the bank bought the failed First Federal Savings & Loan of Fargo and became First National Bank North Dakota.