SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - An Australian bank is investigating an employee caught red-handed viewing pictures of a near-naked model on his computer during a live TV broadcast.

Footage of the incident, which has generated 200,000 hits on YouTube, shows the banker turning around in surprise when he realises a colleague behind him is being interviewed about interest rates.

The Seven Network TV station said it had received complaints, while Macquarie Bank issued a statement stressing that it took 'unacceptable use of technology' extremely seriously.

'Macquarie has strict policies in place surrounding the use of technology and the issue arising from today's live cross on 7 News is being dealt with internally,' it said.

The incident follows another public gaffe in October, when ABC TV presenter Virginia Trioli apologised after being caught on-air making the 'loopy' gesture to suggest Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce was crazy.