NEW YORK, USA - Goldman Sachs Group Inc, in the spotlight over its controversial plans to pay billions of dollars in year-end bonuses to executives, announced this week its next class of managing directors, according to a memo obtained by Reuters.

There are 272 executives in the group, according to a source familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named.

The promotions, due to take effect on Jan. 1, will make the executives eligible next year for more of Goldman's bonus pool.

Goldman has faced public ridicule for setting aside nearly $17 billion for year-end bonuses after receiving a $10 billion taxpayer bailout. The bank has paid back that money.

Goldman has reported robust profits in the past two quarters, with net income in excess of $3 billion in each of those quarters.

Goldman Sachs declined to comment.