FACTBOX-20 biggest U.S. placement agents

NEW YORK, April 22 (Reuters) - New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli on Wednesday said he banned the involvement of placement agents, paid intermediaries and registered lobbyists in investments with the New York State Common Retirement Fund.

The ban includes entities "compensated on a flat fee, a contingent fee or any other basis."

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The following is a list of top 20 placement agents, from a recent report by private equity research group Preqin. Inclusion in the list does not mean that any of the firms have done anything wrong.

Top Placement Agents ranked by amount of funds raised:

* MVision Private Equity Advisers

* Credit Suisse Private Fund Group (Placement Agents)

* Citi Alternatives Distribution Group