Dividend Champions List: Top 15 Stocks to Buy

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11. Alerus Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:ALRS)

Dividend Yield as of October 2: 3.85%

Alerus Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:ALRS) breaks its business into three areas: banking, retirement and benefit services, and wealth management. Having those different revenue streams gives it some balance, since weakness in one segment can be offset by strength in another. Retirement and benefit services bring in steady fee income from account administration, while the wealth arm focuses on investment advice and planning for clients.

In recent years, Alerus Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:ALRS) has been using acquisitions to expand its footprint, moving into markets like Phoenix and Rochester. At the same time, it’s been working to sharpen its digital edge through the “One Alerus” program, which ties technology upgrades into every part of the customer experience. Management has been stressing a few big goals along the way: cutting costs where possible, growing assets under management, diversifying income streams, and boosting efficiency.

Alerus Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:ALRS) is one of the best stocks for a dividend champions list, as the company has been rewarding shareholders with growing dividends for the past 39 consecutive years. The company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.85%, as of October 2.

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