Merion Road Capital Management, LLC and Blue Hill Advisors LLC, shareholders of United Bancorporation of Alabama, Inc. (UBAB), have formally asked the company's Board of Directors to appoint Aaron Sallen and Jason Blumberg as independent directors. The request follows years of engagement over capital allocation, expense discipline and board composition, including a July 7 letter outlining proposals to improve shareholder value. The investors say UBAB has not made tangible progress on those proposals and needs a clear strategic plan covering capital ratio targets, possible accelerated capital returns and growth plans for its elevated expense base. They also cited UBAB's 15% share-price gain since the July 7 letter, compared with 1% for the Nasdaq Bank Index and 2% for the S&P 500, as well as support from other shareholders. The requested nominees would bring investing, advisory and banking experience, according to the letter.