The boss of taxpayer-backed NatWest has reassured customers that "a corner has been turned" as it wades through a backlog of transactions following an IT meltdown.

Stephen Hester, chief executive of NatWest parent RBS Group, said senior executives would face "proper accountability" following the fiasco, which is in its seventh day.

Some customers have been unable to view an up-to-date balance, payments such as direct debits for bills have not been made and some wages have not been received following a software update last Tuesday.

Mr Hester told Sky News: "We're well on the road to recovery. Fingers crossed all the bugs have been got out but we feel a corner has been turned."

Some 1,200 main NatWest and RBS branches will be open from 8am to 6pm for the rest of the week after staying open late last week and opening for the first ever time on a Sunday.