Shares of three of  three banks rose on Monday, after all three received ratings upgrades from Sandler O’Neill.

The firm bumped Minneapolis-based US Bancorp (USB) from a hold to a buy rating, citing its “safer capital profile” than peers. In a note to clients, analyst Scott Siefers called the bank, “solidly profitable,” and “one of the best-managed banks in the country.”

Shares of US Bancorp gained 67 cents or 2.67% in Monday’s trading, closing at $23.84.

Atlanta-based SunTrust (STI) also received a buy rating when the firm upgraded it from a hold, Monday. Analyst Kevin Fitzsimmons cited the bank’s 35% decline in share-price year-to-date as providing room for “considerable upside;” Sandler O’Neill’s current price target for the stock is at $22.50 per share.

Fitzsimmons also noted third-quarter results that were in-line with expectations and a “sizable deceleration” in the growth of delinquencies as impetus for the upgrade.

Shares of SunTrust rose 77 cents or 4.03% to close at $19.88 per share on Monday.

BB&T Corporation (BBT) saw its rating get a boost from sell to hold. Fitzsimmons cited a pull-back in share price that brought it in-line with its target.

Fitzsimmons said in a note that the firm’s negative opinion of the stock was derived from the fact that the bank’s “exposure to construction was more than originally thought”.

The analyst expects BB&T to continue trading at a premium because it has “impressively remained profitable,” has “addressed its capital needs and exited TARP status,” and is well-positioned to make acquisitions in the Southeast as the “banking landscape continues to be rationalized by banking regulators."

Shares of BB&T closed at $25.06 on Monday, after rising $1.15 per share or 4.81%.