It's only 6 per cent more than Unilever was originally offering, so they won't lose too much face by increasing their bid." He said Unilever's move would put the pressure back on Bestfoods' management, which could face opposition from its shareholders unless it lowers the draw-bridge to discuss a higher bid.One Bestfoods investor was reported to have said yesterday: "Unilever is the best offer not only because no one else is bidding for them, but I don't understand how the other combinations they are talking about enhance shareholder value."Commenting on the alternative talks, which are thought to have taken place between Bestfoods and other companies such as Diageo, the Pillsbury dough and Campbell soup maker, Mr Daly said that these were probably more aimed at trying to push up the price which Unilever is prepared to pay than any real attempt to fend off the approach. Mr Daly said a mooted merger with Campbell would be "simply a way of muddying the waters and making it more complicated for Unilever to buy the group".Unilever shares yesterday closed down 10p at 430p.. Wickes, the DIY retailer, yesterday became only the second UK company in 15 years to successfully defend itself against a hostile cash takeover bid. Wickes, the DIY retailer, yesterday became only the second UK company in 15 years to successfully defend itself against a hostile cash takeover bid. Focus-Do-It-All, its privately owned rival, admitted defeat in its £327m bid as its offer lapsed, having won the support of just 35.6 per cent of Wickes' shareholders.Bill Grimsey, chief executive at Wickes, said: "Everyone at Wickes is thrilled. What this says is that the shareholders see greater value in Wickes than 430p a share."Wickes is the second "old economy" company in a month to fend off a hostile cash offer after Blue Circle Industries, the cement giant, defeated a £3.65bn bid from Lafarge of France.Mr Grimsey said: "This demonstrates that just because a company is deemed to be an old-economy stock does not mean that someone can come in and buy it on the cheap."It is a strong message from City investors and it is one that I applaud."Bill Archer, chairman and chief executive of FDIA, said he was disappointed at the result but added that he looked forward to using his role as Wickes' largest single shareholder. FDIA built up a 29.9 per cent stake during the bid."This strengthens our position in the inevitable consolidation in the sector. We now look forward to the delivery of the growth that Wickes' management has promised its shareholders."FDIA is expected to ask for a seat on the Wickes board in respect of its large shareholding Mr Grimsey said he was hostile to the idea.

"My job is to act in the interests of all the shareholders and it would not be right to have a competitor on the board," he said.One analyst described the result as a "pretty resounding victory", adding that a move by FDIA to seek a seat on the Wickes board may indicate plans to come back with another bid next year when UK rules permit.The lapse of FDIA's bid brings to an end a two-month takeover battle which has seen City investors sharply divided over the merits of FDIA's offer. The bidder launched its takeover effort at the end of March with an offer at 375p a share It later upped its offer to 430p a share.. What is robbing a bank compared with founding a bank? asked Bertolt Brecht. If there is a smidgen of truth in that barb then we are indeed living in eventful times.

In May the internet banking community embraced its 19th member, Abbey National e-banking. This month, Abbey will roll out Cahoot, its "virtual, interactive" stand-alone internet bank. Halifax's Intelligent Finance (IF) follows in July, while Lloyds TSB promises that the UK arm of Evolve, its pan-European cyber bank, will be with us by the year end. Alliance & Leicester is plotting the launch of a domestic stand-alone venture at an unspecified date.

What is robbing a bank compared with founding a bank? asked Bertolt Brecht. If there is a smidgen of truth in that barb then we are indeed living in eventful times. In May the internet banking community embraced its 19th member, Abbey National e-banking. This month, Abbey will roll out Cahoot, its "virtual, interactive" stand-alone internet bank. Halifax's Intelligent Finance (IF) follows in July, while Lloyds TSB promises that the UK arm of Evolve, its pan-European cyber bank, will be with us by the year end. Alliance & Leicester is plotting the launch of a domestic stand-alone venture at an unspecified date. Barclays Online still dominates the "bricks and clicks" hierarchy, having triumphantly registered its millionth online customer in May. Elsewhere, enrolment figures are clouded in "commercial sensitivity" Bank of Scotland has some 400,000 online customers.

NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds TSB boast 300,000 internet customers each, followed by Nationwide (200,000), Halifax Online (150,000) and Woolwich Open Plan (100,000). Egg is by far the largest of the branchless operations with an "estimated" 790,000 customers, followed by First Direct (200,000), Smile (120,000) and First-e ("in excess of" 50,000).Online banking fundamentals The primary function of an online bank is to replicate a full banking service on your PC. A typical online service will give you access to account statements, and accommodate inter-account transfers, once-off payments and transfers, and automated payment mechanisms such as standing orders and direct debits.Internet banking does not yet permit cash withdrawals and deposits. Digital money will eventually rectify this, but for now we are dependent on branch and cashpoint networks, although credit and debit cards suffice for all but the smallest transactions.The essential features of the rival services are shown in the adjoining table. If that looks too daunting, then here is a summary of key differences:PC banking v internet banking PC banking enables you to operate your accounts from your own personal computer loaded with the bank's dedicated software. Internet banking gives you access from any computer linked to the net.