** Shares of community bank USCB Financial rise as much as 3.3%, last up 2.7% at $15.40

** Piper Sandler upgrades USCB to "overweight" from "neutral"; raises PT to $20 from $17, a 33.3% upside to stock's last close

** Brokerage says it expects the bank to continue to benefit from its strong Florida markets and clear momentum within its customer base

** Bank's shift towards non-real estate loans can likely position USCB for sustained profitability - Piper Sandler

** Brokerage says USCB is currently the best small-cap opportunity in its coverage

** Three of five brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher and two "hold"; median PT is $18 - LSEG data

** As of last close, USCB shares up 22.4% YTD

(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru)

((ArasuKannagi.Basil@thomsonreuters.com))