US lender Bancorp rises after Raymond James upgrades to 'strong buy'

** Regional lender Bancorp's TBBK.O shares rise 1.4% to $63.66 premarket

** Raymond James upgrades TBBK to "strong buy" from "outperform" following investor meetings

** Brokerage says it left the meetings more comfortable on credit trends, an area where it feels concerns on the bank's real estate bridge lending profile remain overblown

** Says continued progress towards resolution could result in a massive short squeeze and boost share price

** Attractive valuation and capital return potential makes risk-reward favorable, Raymond James says

** Two of 3 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher and 1 "hold"; median PT $68 - data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, TBBK stock up 19.3% YTD