NEW YORK, July 1 (Reuters) - Japanese bank Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) announced on Wednesday its annual list of promotions to managing director that showed how the bank is investing in growth in the Americas.

• The region represented more than half of the promotions, with 27 executives out of 49 globally. Asia-Pacific had 11 promotions, Europe and the Middle East had nine and India had two.

• The Americas also led the promotions last year, with 34 out of 55 globally.

• The new managing directors work in corporate and investment banking, structured debt, sales and trading, and some in support areas such as technology, compliance, human resources and legal.