** Shares of regional lender Prosperity Bancshares PB.N down 1.53% at $66.80 premarket

** Citi downgrades PB to "neutral" from "buy" and cuts price target to $68 from $78

** Citi says it has long viewed PB as one of the best “bolt-on” buyers in the small- and mid-cap stocks segment, but deal pricing in the current market is likely moving beyond the scope of what the bank is willing to pay

** That could keep PB away from deals large enough to support a valuation rerating, Citi says

** Nine of the 14 analysts rate the stock buy or higher and five "hold"; median PT is $81 - data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, shares down 9.96% YTD

(Reporting by Anuj T in Bengaluru)

((Anuj.T@thomsonreuters.com))