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Exhibit 5

Opinion and consent of Armbrecht, Jackson, DeMouy Crowe, Holmes & Reeves,
L.L.C.

May 10, 2000

UNITED BANCORPORATION OF ALABAMA, INC.
P.O. Drawer 8
Atmore, Alabama 36504

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Reference is made to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of United
Bancorporation of Alabama, Inc. (the "Company"), filed by the Company in
connection with the registration of up to 69,200 shares of Class A Common Stock,
par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock"), to be issued in
accordance with the terms of the 1998 Stock Option Plan of United Bancorporation
of Alabama, Inc. (the "Plan").

         On the basis of such examination of such corporate records,
certificates and other documents as we have considered necessary or appropriate
for purposes of this opinion, we advise you that upon the due authorization and
execution of the Common Stock by the Company and the receipt of payment for the
Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, then, in our
opinion, the Common Stock will have been validly issued and will be fully paid
and nonassessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this
consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.


                                         Very truly yours,

                                         Armbrecht, Jackson, DeMouy,
                                          Crowe, Holmes & Reeves, L.L.C.

                                         By:      /s/ James Dale Smith
                                                  ------------------------
                                                      James Dale Smith