File No. 2-92285
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [ X ]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 [ X ]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [ X ]
Amendment No. 17 [ X ]
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
c/o The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 922-6000
Daniel C. Maclean III, Esq.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
----
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
----
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
----
X on March 1, 1995 pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
----
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii)
----
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of Rule 485
----
If appropriate, check the following box:
this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
----
Registrant has registered an indefinite number of shares of its common
stock under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 24(f) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Registrant's Rule 24f-2 Notice for the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1994 was filed on December 22, 1994.
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
Cross-Reference Sheet Pursuant to Rule 495(a)
Items in
Part A of
Form N-1A Caption Page
_________ _______ ____
1 Cover Page Cover
2 Synopsis 3
3 Condensed Financial Information 4
4 General Description of Registrant 5, 26
5 Management of the Fund 15
5(a) Management's Discussion of Fund's Performance *
6 Capital Stock and Other Securities 26
7 Purchase of Securities Being Offered 16
8 Redemption or Repurchase 21
9 Pending Legal Proceedings *
Items in
Part B of
Form N-1A
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10 Cover Page Cover
11 Table of Contents Cover
12 General Information and History B-25
13 Investment Objectives and Policies B-2
14 Management of the Fund B-10
15 Control Persons and Principal B-10
Holders of Securities
16 Investment Advisory and Other B-13
Services
_____________________________________
NOTE: * Omitted since answer is negative or inapplicable.
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
Cross-Reference Sheet Pursuant to Rule 495(a) (continued)
Items in
Part B of
Form N-1A Caption Page
_________ _______ _____
17 Brokerage Allocation B-21
18 Capital Stock and Other Securities B-25
19 Purchase, Redemption and Pricing B-15, 16, 21
of Securities Being Offered
20 Tax Status *
21 Underwriters B-1, 15
22 Calculations of Performance Data B-24
23 Financial Statements B-48
Items in
Part C of
Form N-1A
_________
24 Financial Statements and Exhibits C-1
25 Persons Controlled by or Under C-3
Common Control with Registrant
26 Number of Holders of Securities C-3
27 Indemnification C-3
28 Business and Other Connections of C-4
Investment Adviser
29 Principal Underwriters C-11
30 Location of Accounts and Records C-14
31 Management Services C-14
32 Undertakings C-14
_____________________________________
NOTE: * Omitted since answer is negative or inapplicable.
FOR USE BY BANKS ONLY
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
Supplement to Prospectus Dated March 1, 1995
All mutual fund shares involve certain investment risks, including
the possible loss of principal.
949/s030195IST
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PROSPECTUS MARCH 1, 1995
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
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GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC. (THE "FUND") IS AN
OPEN-END, NON-DIVERSIFIED, MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY. ITS GOAL IS TO
MAXIMIZE CURRENT INCOME EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL, NEW YORK STATE AND NEW YORK CITY
INCOME TAXES TO THE EXTENT CONSISTENT WITH THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL.
YOU CAN INVEST, REINVEST OR REDEEM SHARES AT ANY TIME WITHOUT
CHARGE OR PENALTY IMPOSED BY THE FUND.
THE FUND PROVIDES FREE REDEMPTION CHECKS, WHICH YOU CAN USE IN
AMOUNTS OF $500 OR MORE FOR CASH OR TO PAY BILLS. YOU CONTINUE TO EARN INCOME
ON THE AMOUNT OF THE CHECK UNTIL IT CLEARS. YOU CAN PURCHASE OR REDEEM SHARES
BY TELEPHONE USING DREYFUS TELETRANSFER.
THE DREYFUS CORPORATION PROFESSIONALLY MANAGES THE FUND'S
PORTFOLIO.
THE FUND BEARS CERTAIN COSTS OF ADVERTISING, ADMINISTRATION AND/OR
DISTRIBUTION PURSUANT TO A PLAN ADOPTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 12B-1 UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940.
THIS PROSPECTUS SETS FORTH CONCISELY INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE INVESTING. IT SHOULD BE READ AND RETAINED FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE.
THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED MARCH 1, 1995, WHICH
MAY BE REVISED FROM TIME TO TIME, PROVIDES A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
AREAS IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY BE OF INTEREST TO SOME
INVESTORS. IT HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND
IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. FOR A FREE COPY, WRITE TO THE FUND AT
144 GLENN CURTISS BOULEVARD, UNIONDALE, NEW YORK 11556-0144, OR CALL
1-800-645-6561. WHEN TELEPHONING, ASK FOR OPERATOR 666.
MUTUAL FUND SHARES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY
OTHER AGENCY. THE NET ASSET VALUE OF FUNDS OF THIS TYPE WILL FLUCTUATE FROM
TIME TO TIME.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES.................... 3
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION................... 4
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND........................... 5
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND............................ 15
HOW TO BUY FUND SHARES............................ 16
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES.............................. 18
HOW TO REDEEM FUND SHARES......................... 21
SERVICE PLAN...................................... 23
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES................ 24
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION........................... 25
GENERAL INFORMATION............................... 26
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
Page 2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average daily net assets)
<S> <C>
Management Fees ........................................................................... .60%
12b-1 Fees(distribution and servicing)..................................................... .20%
Other Expenses............................................................................. .08%
Total Fund Operating Expenses.............................................................. .88%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Example: 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
You would pay the following expenses on
a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5%
annual return and (2) redemption at the
end of each time period: $9 $28 $49 $108
</TABLE>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE AMOUNTS LISTED IN THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS
REPRESENTATIVE OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES AND ACTUAL
EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE INDICATED. MOREOVER, WHILE THE
EXAMPLE ASSUMES A 5% ANNUAL RETURN, THE FUND'S ACTUAL PERFORMANCE WILL VARY
AND MAY RESULT IN AN ACTUAL RETURN GREATER OR LESS THAN 5%.
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The purpose of the foregoing table is to assist you in
understanding the various costs and expenses borne by the Fund, and therefore
indirectly by investors, the payment of which will reduce investors' return
on an annual basis. The information in the foregoing table does not reflect
any fee waivers or expense reimbursement arrangements that may be in effect.
Long-term investors could pay more in 12b-1 fees than the economic equivalent
of paying a front-end sales charge. Certain Service Agents (as defined below)
may charge their clients direct fees for effecting transactions in Fund
shares; such fees are not reflected in the foregoing table. See "Management
of the Fund," "How to Buy Fund Shares" and "Service Plan."
Page 3
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The information in the following table for the seven years ended
October 31, 1994 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, the Fund's
independent auditors, whose report thereon appears in the Statement of
Additional Information. The information in the following table for the three
fiscal years ended October 31, 1987 was audited by another firm of
independent auditors. Further financial data and related notes are included
in the Statement of Additional Information, available upon request. See
"General Information."
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share
of Common Stock outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net
assets and other supplemental data for each year indicated. This information
has been derived from the Fund's financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended October 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1985(1)(2) 1986(2) 1987(2) 1988(3) 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994
-------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE DATA:
Net asset value,
beginning of year... $16.50 $17.39 $18.97 $17.87 $18.48 $18.31 $17.96 $19.24 $19.55 $21.53
------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Investment income--net.. 1.22 1.19 1.06 1.02 1.03 1.32 1.30 1.24 1.17 1.14
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss) on investments.. .89 1.58 (1.10) .61 (.17) (.35) 1.28 .31 2.24 (2.49)
------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------
TOTAL FROM
INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS........ 2.11 2.77 (.04) 1.63 .86 .97 2.58 1.55 3.41 (1.35)
------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------
DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from investment
income -- net... (1.22) (1.19) (1.06) (1.02) (1.03) (1.32) (1.30) (1.24) (1.16) (1.15)
Dividends from net realized
gain on investments -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (.27) (.30)
------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (1.22) (1.19) (1.06) (1.02) (1.03) (1.32) (1.30) (1.24) (1.43) (1.45)
------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------
Net asset value,
end of year...... $17.39 $18.97 $17.87 $18.48 $18.31 $17.96 $19.24 $19.55 $21.53 $18.73
======= ======= ======= ======= ====== ====== ====== ======= ====== ======
TOTAL INVESTMENT
RETURN....... 13.80%(4) 16.42% (.32%) 9.27% 4.79% 5.47% 14.83% 8.23% 18.05% (6.59%)
RATIOS / SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets... .21%(4) .46% .89% 1.10% 1.32% .07% .36% .62% .69% .76%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets... 7.47%(4) 6.44% 5.66% 5.49% 5.60% 7.36% 6.95% 6.32% 5.64% 5.62%
Decrease reflected in above expense
ratios due to undertakings by
The Dreyfus Corporation.. 2.84%(4) 1.06% .38% .33% .02% 1.14% .69% .39% .22% .12%
Portfolio Turnover Rate.. 31.55%(5) 37.63% 67.33% 31.50% 26.53% 59.98% 19.32% 43.20% 23.46% 24.56%
Net Assets, end of year
(000's omitted)... $13,894 $56,996 $53,440 $46,869 $38,250 $102,603 $209,165 $284,383 $414,136 $307,996
</TABLE>
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(1)From November 19, 1984 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 1985.
(2)For the period indicated, the Fund was advised by The Chase Manhattan Bank,
N.A. ("Chase") and administered by The Dreyfus Corporation. See "General
Information."
(3)During the period from November 1, 1987 to May 31, 1988, Chase served as
the Fund's investment adviser and The Dreyfus Corporation served as the
Fund's administrator. Effective June 1, 1988, The Dreyfus Corporation began
serving as the Fund's investment adviser.
(4)Annualized.
(5)Not annualized.
Further information about the Fund's performance is contained in
the Fund's annual report, which may be obtained without charge by writing to
the address or calling the number set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus.
Page 4
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE -- The Fund's goal is to maximize current income exempt
from Federal, New York State and New York City income taxes to the extent
consistent with the preservation of capital. To accomplish this goal, the
Fund invests primarily in the debt securities of the State of New York, its
political subdivisions, authorities and corporations, the interest from which
is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, exempt from Federal, New
York State and New York City income taxes (collectively, "New York Municipal
Obligations"). To the extent acceptable New York Municipal Obligations are at
any time unavailable for investment by the Fund, the Fund will invest
temporarily in other debt securities the interest from which is, in the
opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, exempt from Federal, but not New York
State or New York City, income tax. The Fund's investment objective cannot be
changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940) of the Fund's outstanding voting shares.
There can be no assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be
achieved.
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS -- Debt securities the interest from which is, in the
opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, exempt from Federal income tax
("Municipal Obligations") generally include debt obligations issued to obtain
funds for various public purposes as well as certain industrial development
bonds issued by or on behalf of public authorities. Municipal Obligations are
classified as general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and notes. General
obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its faith, credit and
taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are
payable from the revenue derived from a particular facility or class of
facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other
specific revenue source, but not from the general taxing power. Tax exempt
industrial development bonds, in most cases, are revenue bonds that generally
do not carry the pledge of the credit of the issuing municipality, but
generally are guaranteed by the corporate entity on whose behalf they are
issued. Notes are short-term instruments which are obligations of the issuing
municipalities or agencies and are sold in anticipation of a bond sale,
collection of taxes or receipt of other revenues. Municipal Obligations
include municipal lease/purchase agreements which are similar to installment
purchase contracts for property or equipment issued by municipalities.
Municipal Obligations bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest,
which are determined in some instances by formulas under which the Municipal
Obligation's interest rate will change directly or inversely to changes in
interest rates or an index, or multiples thereof, in many cases subject to a
maximum and a minimum. Certain Municipal Obligations are subject to
redemption at a date earlier than their stated maturity pursuant to call
options, which may be separated from the related Municipal Obligation and
purchased and sold separately.
MANAGEMENT POLICIES -- It is a fundamental policy of the Fund that it will
invest at least 80% of the value of its net assets (except when maintaining a
temporary defensive position) in Municipal Obligations. At least 65% of the
value of the Fund's net assets (except when maintaining a temporary defensive
position) will be invested in bonds and debentures. Under normal
circumstances, at least 65% of the value of the Fund's net assets will be
invested in New York Municipal Obligations and the remainder may be invested
in securities that are not New York Municipal Obligations and therefore may
be subject to New York State and New York City income taxes. See "Risk
Factors--Investing in New York Municipal Obligations" below, and "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes."
At least 65% of the value of the Fund's net assets must consist of
Municipal Obligations which, in the case of bonds, are rated no lower than
Baa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB by Standard &
Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch"). The
Fund may invest up to 35% of the value of its net assets in Municipal
Obligations which, in the case of bonds, are rated lower than Baa by Moody's
and BBB by S&P and Fitch and as low as the lowest rating assigned by Moody's,
S&P or Fitch. The Fund may invest in short-term Municipal Obligations which
are rated in the two highest rating categories by Moody's, S&P or Fitch. See
"Appendix B" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Page 5
Municipal Obligations rated BBB by S&P or Fitch or Baa by Moody's are
considered investment grade obligations; those rated BBB by S&P and Fitch are
regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay principal and interest, while
those rated Baa by Moody's are considered medium grade obligations which lack
outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative characteristics.
Investments rated Ba or lower by Moody's and BB or lower by S&P and Fitch
ordinarily provide higher yields but involve greater risk because of their
speculative characteristics. The Fund may invest in Municipal Obligations
rated C by Moody's or D by S&P or Fitch, which is such rating organizations'
lowest rating and indicates that the Municipal Obligation is in default and
interest and/or repayment of principal is in arrears. See "Risk Factors_Lower
Rated Bonds" below for a further discussion of certain risks. The Fund also
may invest in securities which, while not rated, are determined by The
Dreyfus Corporation to be of comparable quality to the rated securities in
which the Fund may invest; for purposes of the 65% requirement described in
this paragraph, such unrated securities shall be deemed to have the rating so
determined. The Fund also may invest in Taxable Investments of the quality
described below. The Fund intends to invest less than 35% of the value of its
net assets in Municipal Obligations rated Ba or lower by Moody's and BB or
lower by S&P and Fitch.
The Fund may invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets
in Municipal Obligations which are related in such a way that an economic,
business or political development or change affecting one such security also
would affect the other securities; for example, securities the interest upon
which is paid from revenues of similar types of projects. As a result, the
Fund may be subject to greater risk as compared to a fund that does not
follow this practice.
From time to time, the Fund may invest more than 25% of the value
of its total assets in industrial development bonds which, although issued by
industrial development authorities, may be backed only by the assets and
revenues of the non-governmental users. Interest on Municipal Obligations
(including certain industrial development bonds) which are specified private
activity bonds, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), issued after August 7, 1986, while exempt from Federal income
tax, is a preference item for the purpose of the alternative minimum tax.
Where a regulated investment company receives such interest, a proportionate
share of any exempt-interest dividend paid by the investment company may be
treated as such a preference item to shareholders. The Fund may invest
without limitation in such Municipal Obligations if The Dreyfus Corporation
determines that their purchase is consistent with the Fund's investment
objective. See "Risk Factors_Other Investment Considerations" below.
The Fund may purchase floating and variable rate demand notes and
bonds, which are tax exempt obligations ordinarily having stated maturities
in excess of one year, but which permit the holder to demand payment of
principal at any time or at specified intervals. Variable rate demand notes
include master demand notes which are obligations that permit the Fund to
invest fluctuating amounts, at varying rates of interest, pursuant to direct
arrangements between the Fund, as lender, and the borrower. These obligations
permit daily changes in the amount borrowed. Frequently, such obligations are
secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by
banks. Use of letters of credit or other credit support arrangements will not
adversely affect the tax exempt status of these obligations. Because these
obligations are direct lending arrangements between the lender and borrower,
it is not contemplated that such instruments generally will be traded, and
there generally is no established secondary market for these obligations,
although they are redeemable at face value, plus accrued interest.
Accordingly, where these obligations are not secured by letters of credit or
other credit support arrangements, the Fund's right to redeem is dependent on
the ability of the borrower to pay principal and interest on demand. Each
obligation purchased by the Fund will meet the quality criteria established
for the purchase of Municipal Obligations. The Dreyfus Corporation, on behalf
of the Fund, will consider on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the
issuers of the floating and variable rate demand obligations in the Fund's
portfolio. The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net
assets in floating or variable rate demand obligations as to which the Fund
cannot exercise the demand feature on not more than seven days' notice if
there is no secondary market available for these obligations, and in other
illiquid securities.
Page 6
The Fund may purchase from financial institutions participation
interests in Municipal Obligations (such as industrial development bonds and
municipal lease/purchase agreements). A participation interest gives the Fund
an undivided interest in the Municipal Obligation in the proportion that the
Fund's participation interest bears to the total principal amount of the
Municipal Obligation. These instruments may have fixed, floating or variable
rates of interest. If the participation interest is unrated, it will be
backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of a bank that the
Board of Directors has determined meets the prescribed quality standards for
banks set forth below, or the payment obligation otherwise will be
collateralized by U.S. Government securities. For certain participation
interests, the Fund will have the right to demand payment, on not more than
seven days' notice, for all or any part of the Fund's participation interest
in the Municipal Obligation, plus accrued interest. As to these instruments,
the Fund intends to exercise its right to demand payment only upon a default
under the terms of the Municipal Obligation, as needed to provide liquidity
to meet redemptions, or to maintain or improve the quality of its investment
portfolio. The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net
assets in participation interests that do not have this demand feature if
there is no secondary market available for these instruments, and in other
illiquid securities.
The Fund may purchase tender option bonds. A tender option bond is
a Municipal Obligation (generally held pursuant to a custodial arrangement)
having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate
substantially higher than prevailing short-term tax exempt rates, that has
been coupled with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank,
broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant to which such
institution grants the security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to
tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value
thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution
receives periodic fees equal to the difference between the Municipal
Obligation's fixed coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing
or similar agent at or near the commencement of such period, that would cause
the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par on the date
of such determination. Thus, after payment of this fee, the security holder
effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing
short-term exempt rate. The Dreyfus Corporation, on behalf of the Fund, will
consider on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the issuer of the
underlying Municipal Obligations, of any custodian and of the third party
provider of the tender option. In certain instances and for certain tender
option bonds, the option may be terminable in the event of a default in
payment of principal or interest on the underlying Municipal Obligations and
for other reasons. The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its
net assets in illiquid securities, which could include tender option bonds as
to which it cannot exercise the tender feature on not more than seven days'
notice if there is no secondary market available for these obligations.
The Fund may acquire "stand-by commitments" with respect to
Municipal Obligations held in its portfolio. Under a stand-by commitment, the
Fund obligates a broker, dealer or bank to repurchase, at the Fund's option,
specified securities at a specified price and, in this respect, stand-by
commitments are comparable to put options. The exercise of a stand-by
commitment, therefore, is subject to the ability of the seller to make
payment on demand. The Fund will acquire stand-by commitments solely to
facilitate its portfolio liquidity and does not intend to exercise its rights
thereunder for trading purposes. The Fund may pay for stand-by commitments if
such action is deemed necessary, thus increasing to a degree the cost of the
underlying Municipal Obligation and similarly decreasing such security's
yield to investors. The Fund also may acquire call options on specific
Municipal Obligations. The Fund generally would purchase these call options
to protect the Fund from the issuer of the related Municipal Obligation
redeeming, or other holder of the call option from calling away, the
Municipal Obligation before maturity. The sale by the Fund of a call option
that it owns on a specific Municipal Obligation could result in the receipt
of taxable income by the Fund.
The Fund may purchase custodial receipts representing the right to
receive certain future principal and interest payments on Municipal
Obligations which underlie the custodial receipts. A number of different
Page 7
arrangements are possible. In a typical custodial receipt arrangement, an
issuer or a third party owner of Municipal Obligations deposits such
obligations with a custodian in exchange for two classes of custodial
receipts. The two classes have different characteristics, but, in each case,
payments on the two classes are based on payments received on the underlying
Municipal Obligations. One class has the characteristics of a typical auction
rate security, where at specified intervals its interest rate is adjusted,
and ownership changes, based on an auction mechanism. This class's interest
rate generally is expected to be below the coupon rate of the underlying
Municipal Obligations and generally is at a level comparable to that of a
Municipal Obligation of similar quality and having a maturity equal to the
period between interest rate adjustments. The second class bears interest at
a rate that exceeds the interest rate typically borne by a security of
comparable quality and maturity; this rate also is adjusted, but in this case
inversely to changes in the rate of interest of the first class. If the
interest rate on the first class exceeds the coupon rate of the underlying
Municipal Obligations, its interest rate will exceed the rate paid on the
second class. In no event will the aggregate interest paid with respect to
the two classes exceed the interest paid by the underlying Municipal
Obligations. The value of the second class and similar securities should be
expected to fluctuate more than the value of a Municipal Obligation of
comparable quality and maturity and their purchase by the Fund should
increase the volatility of its net asset value and, thus, its price per
share. These custodial receipts are sold in private placements. The Fund also
may purchase directly from issuers, and not in a private placement, Municipal
Obligations having characteristics similar to custodial receipts. These
securities may be issued as part of a multi-class offering and the interest
rate on certain classes may be subject to a cap or floor.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of the value of its net assets in
securities as to which a liquid trading market does not exist, provided such
investments are consistent with the Fund's investment objective. Such
securities may include securities that are not readily marketable, such as
certain securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on
resale, and repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven
days after notice. As to these securities, the Fund is subject to a risk that
should the Fund desire to sell them when a ready buyer is not available at a
price that the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of the
Fund's net assets could be adversely affected.
The Fund may invest in zero coupon securities which are debt
securities issued or sold at a discount from their face value which do not
entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity or a
specified redemption date (or cash payment date). The amount of the discount
varies depending on the time remaining until maturity or cash payment date,
prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security and perceived credit
quality of the issuer. Zero coupon securities also may take the form of debt
securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, the
coupons themselves and receipts or certificates representing interest in such
stripped debt obligations and coupons. The market prices of zero coupon
securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of
interest-bearing securities and are likely to respond to a greater degree to
changes in interest rates than interest-bearing securities having similar
maturities and credit qualities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets
in zero coupon bonds which are rated below investment grade. See "Risk
Factors_Lower Rated Bonds" and "Other Investment Considerations" below, and
"Investment Objective and Management Policies_Risk Factors_Lower Rated Bonds"
and "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
From time to time, on a temporary basis other than for temporary
defensive purposes (but not to exceed 20% of the value of the Fund's net
assets) or for temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest in taxable
short-term investments ("Taxable Investments") consisting of: notes of
issuers having, at the time of purchase, a quality rating within the three
highest grades of Moody's, S&P or Fitch; obligations of the U.S. Government,
its agencies or instrumentalities; commercial paper rated not lower than P-2
by Moody's, A-2 by S&P or F-2 by Fitch; certificates of deposit of U.S.
domestic banks, including foreign branches of domestic banks, with assets of
one billion dollars or more; time deposits; bankers' acceptances and other
short-term bank obligations; and repurchase agreements in respect of any of
the foregoing. Dividends paid
Page 8
by the Fund that are attributable to income earned by the Fund from Taxable
Investments will be taxable to investors. See "Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes." Except for temporary defensive purposes, at no time will more than
20% of the value of the Fund's net assets be invested in Taxable Investments.
When the Fund has adopted a temporary defensive position, including when
acceptable New York Municipal Obligations are unavailable for investment by
the Fund, in excess of 35% of the Fund's net assets may be invested in
securities that are not exempt from New York State and New York City income
taxes. Under normal market conditions, the Fund anticipates that not more
than 5% of the value of its total assets will be invested in any one category
of Taxable Investments. Taxable Investments are more fully described in the
Statement of Additional Information, to which reference hereby is made.
Investment Techniques _ The Fund may employ, among others, the investment
techniques described below. Use of certain of these techniques involves risks
and may give rise to taxable income. Options and futures transactions involve
so-called "derivative securities."
When-Issued Securities _ New issues of Municipal Obligations usually are
offered on a when-issued basis, which means that delivery and payment for
such Municipal Obligations ordinarily take place within 45 days after the
date of the commitment to purchase. The payment obligation and the interest
rate that will be received on the Municipal Obligations are fixed at the time
the Fund enters into the commitment. The Fund will make commitments to
purchase such Municipal Obligations only with the intention of actually
acquiring the securities, but the Fund may sell these securities before the
settlement date if it is deemed advisable, although any gain realized on such
sale would be taxable. The Fund will not accrue income in respect of a
when-issued security prior to its stated delivery date. No additional
when-issued commitments will be made if more than 20% of the value of the
Fund's net assets would be so committed.
Municipal Obligations purchased on a when-issued basis and the
securities held in the Fund's portfolio are subject to changes in value (both
generally changing in the same way, i.e., appreciating when interest rates
decline and depreciating when interest rates rise) based upon the public's
perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes, real or
anticipated, in the level of interest rates. Municipal Obligations purchased
on a when-issued basis may expose the Fund to risk because they may experience
such fluctuations prior to their actual delivery. Purchasing Municipal
Obligations on a when-issued basis can involve the additional risk that the
yield available in the market when the delivery takes place actually may be
higher than that obtained in the transaction itself. A segregated account of
the Fund consisting of cash, cash equivalents or U.S. Government securities
or other high quality liquid debt securities at least equal at all times to
the amount of the when-issued commitments will be established and maintained
at the Fund's custodian bank. Purchasing Municipal Obligations on a
when-issued basis when the Fund is fully or almost fully invested may result
in greater potential fluctuation in the value of the Fund's net assets and
its net asset value per share.
FUTURES TRANSACTIONS -- IN GENERAL -- The Fund is not a commodity pool.
However, as a substitute for a comparable market position in the underlying
securities or for hedging purposes, the Fund may engage in futures and
options on futures transactions, as described below.
The Fund's commodities transactions must constitute bona fide
hedging or other permissible transactions pursuant to regulations promulgated
by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. In addition, the Fund may not
engage in such transactions if the sum of the amount of initial margin
deposits and premiums paid for unexpired commodity options, other than for
bona fide hedging transactions, would exceed 5% of the liquidation value of
the Fund's assets, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized
losses on such contracts it has entered into; provided, however, that in the
case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of purchase, the
in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5%. Pursuant to
regulations and/or published positions of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Fund may be required to segregate cash or high quality money
market instruments in connection with its commodities transactions in an
amount generally equal to the value of the underlying commodity. To the
extent the Fund engages in the use of futures and options on futures for
other than bona fide hedging purposes, the Fund may be subject to additional
risk.
Page 9
Initially, when purchasing or selling futures contracts the Fund
will be required to deposit with its custodian in the broker's name an amount
of cash or cash equivalents up to approximately 10% of the contract amount.
This amount is subject to change by the exchange or board of trade on which
the contract is traded and members of such exchange or board of trade may
impose their own higher requirements. This amount is known as "initial
margin" and is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on
the contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures
position, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied.
Subsequent payments, known as "variation margin," to and from the broker will
be made daily as the price of the index or securities underlying the futures
contract fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures
contract more or less valuable, a process known as "marking-to-market." At
any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, the Fund may elect to
close the position by taking an opposite position at the then prevailing
price, which will operate to terminate the Fund's existing position in the
contract.
Although the Fund intends to purchase or sell futures contracts
only if there is an active market for such contracts, no assurance can be
given that a liquid market will exist for any particular contract at any
particular time. Many futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount
of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading
day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no
trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit or trading may be
suspended for specified periods during the trading day. Futures contract
prices could move to the limit for several consecutive trading days with
little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures
positions and potentially subjecting the Fund to substantial losses. If it is
not possible or the Fund determines not to close a futures position in
anticipation of adverse price movements, the Fund will be required to make
daily cash payments of variation margin. In such circumstances, an increase
in the value of the portion of the Fund's portfolio being hedged, if any, may
offset partially or completely losses on the futures contract. However, no
assurance can be given that the price of the securities being hedged will
correlate with the price movements in a futures contract and thus provide an
offset to losses on the futures contract.
To the extent the Fund is engaging in a futures transaction as a
hedging device, because of the risk of an imperfect correlation between
securities in the Fund's portfolio that are the subject of a hedging
transaction and the futures contract used as a hedging device, it is possible
that the hedge will not be fully effective if, for example, losses on the
portfolio securities exceed gains on the futures contract or losses on the
futures contract exceed gains on the portfolio securities. For futures
contracts based on indices, the risk of imperfect correlation increases as the
composition of the Fund's portfolio varies from the composition of the index.
In an effort to compensate for the imperfect correlation of movements in the
price of the securities being hedged and movements in the price of futures
contracts, the Fund may buy or sell futures contracts in a greater or lesser
dollar amount than the dollar amount of the securities being hedged if the
historical volatility of the futures contract has been less or greater than
that of the securities. Such "over hedging" or "under hedging" may adversely
affect the Fund's net investment results if the market does not move as
anticipated when the hedge is established.
Successful use of futures by the Fund also is subject to The
Dreyfus Corporation's ability to predict correctly movements in the direction
of the market or interest rates. For example, if the Fund has hedged against
the possibility of a decline in the market adversely affecting the value of
securities held in its portfolio and prices increase instead, the Fund will
lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of securities which it
has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions.
Furthermore, if in such circumstances, the Fund has insufficient cash, it may
have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin requirements. The Fund
may have to sell such securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to
do so.
An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in
return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a
long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a
put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the option exercise
period. The writer of the option is
Page 10
required upon exercise to assume an offsetting futures position (a short
position if the option is a call and a long position if the option is a put).
Upon exercise of the option, the assumption of offsetting futures positions
by the writer and holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the
accumulated cash balance in the writer's futures margin account which
represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at
exercise, exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a
put, the exercise price of the option on the futures contract.
Call options sold by the Fund with respect to futures contracts
will be covered by, among other things, entering into a long position in the
same contract at a price no higher than the strike price of the call option,
or by ownership of the instruments underlying, or instruments the prices of
which are expected to move relatively consistently with the instruments
underlying, the futures contract. Put options sold by the Fund with respect
to futures contracts will be covered when, among other things, cash or liquid
securities are placed in a segregated account to fulfill the obligation
undertaken.
The Fund may utilize municipal bond index futures to protect
against changes in the market value of the Municipal Obligations in its
portfolio or which it intends to acquire. Municipal bond index futures
contracts are based on an index of long-term Municipal Obligations. The index
assigns relative values to the Municipal Obligations included in the index,
and fluctuates with changes in the market value of such Municipal
Obligations. The contract is an agreement pursuant to which two parties agree
to take or make delivery of an amount of cash based upon the difference
between the value of the index at the close of the last trading day of the
contract and the price at which the index contract was originally written.
The acquisition or sale of a municipal bond index futures contract enables
the Fund to protect its assets from fluctuations in rates on tax exempt
securities without actually buying or selling such securities.
INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON INTEREST RATE FUTURES
CONTRACTS _ The Fund may purchase and sell interest rate futures contracts
and options on interest rate futures contracts as a substitute for a
comparable market position or to hedge against adverse movements in
interests.
To the extent the Fund has invested in interest rate futures
contracts or options on interest rate futures contracts as a substitute for a
comparable market position, the Fund will be subject to the investment risks
of having purchased the securities underlying the contract.
The Fund may purchase call options on interest rate futures
contracts to hedge against a decline in interest rates and may purchase put
options on interest rate futures contracts to hedge its portfolio securities
against the risk of rising interest rates.
If the Fund has hedged against the possibility of an increase in
interest rates adversely affecting the value of securities held in its
portfolio and rates decrease instead, the Fund will lose part or all of the
benefit of the increased value of securities which it has hedged because it
will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such
situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities
to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it may be
disadvantageous to do so. These sales of securities may, but will not
necessarily, be at increased prices which reflect the decline in interest
rates.
The Fund may sell call options on interest rate futures contracts
to partially hedge against declining prices of its portfolio securities. If
the futures price at expiration of the option is below the exercise price,
the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a
partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the Fund's
portfolio holdings. The Fund may sell put options on interest rate futures
contracts to hedge against increasing prices of the securities which are
deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at
expiration of the option is higher than the exercise price, the Fund will
retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge
against any increase in the price of securities which the Fund intends to
purchase. If a put or call option sold by the Fund is exercised, the Fund
will incur a loss which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it
receives. Depending on the degree of correlation between changes in the value
of its portfolio securities and changes in the value
Page 11
of its futures positions, the Fund's losses from existing options on futures
may, to some extent, be reduced or increased by changes in the value of its
portfolio securities.
The Fund also may sell options on interest rate futures contracts
as part of closing purchase transactions to terminate its options positions.
No assurance can be given that such closing transactions can be effected or
that there will be a correlation between price movements in the options on
interest rate futures and price movements in the Fund's portfolio securities
which are the subject of the hedge. In addition, the Fund's purchase of such
options will be based upon predictions as to anticipated interest rate
trends, which could prove to be inaccurate.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS -- The Fund may take advantage of opportunities in the
area of options and futures contracts and options on futures contracts and
any other derivative investments that are not presently contemplated for use
by the Fund or that may be developed, to the extent such opportunities are
both consistent with the Fund's investment objective and legally permissable
for the Fund. Before entering into such transactions or making any such
investment, the Fund will provide appropriate disclosure in its prospectus.
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES -- From time to time, the Fund may lend
securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial
institutions needing to borrow securities to complete certain transactions.
Such loans may not exceed 331/3% of the Fund's total assets. In connection
with such loans, the Fund will receive collateral consisting of cash, U.S.
Government securities or irrevocable letters of credit which will be
maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current
market value of the loaned securities. The Fund can increase its income
through the investment of such collateral. The Fund continues to be entitled
to payments in amounts equal to interest or other distributions payable on
the loaned security and receives interest on the amount of the loan. Such
loans will be terminable at any time upon specified notice. The Fund might
experience risk of loss if the institutions with which it has engaged in a
portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund.
BORROWING MONEY -- As a fundamental policy, the Fund is permitted to borrow
to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
However, the Fund currently intends to borrow money only for temporary or
emergency (not leveraging) purposes, in an amount up to 15% of the value of
the Fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed) valued at the lesser
of cost or market, less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at
the time the borrowing is made. While borrowings exceed 5% of the Fund's
total assets, the Fund will not make any additional investments.
CERTAIN FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES _ The Fund may (i) borrow money to the extent
permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and (ii) invest up to 25%
of its total assets in the securities of issuers in any single industry,
provided that there is no such limitation on investments in Municipal
Obligations and, for temporary defensive purposes, obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. This
paragraph describes fundamental policies that cannot be changed without
approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company
Act of 1940) of the Fund's outstanding voting shares. See "Investment
Objective and Management Policies_Investment Restrictions" in the Statement
of Additional Information.
CERTAIN ADDITIONAL NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES -- The Fund may (i) pledge,
hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, but only to the
extent necessary to secure borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes;
and (ii) invest up to 15% of its net assets in repurchase agreements
providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice and in other
illiquid securities (which securities could include participation interests
(including municipal lease/purchase agreements) that are not subject to the
demand feature described above, and floating and variable rate demand
obligations as to which the Fund cannot exercise the related demand feature
described above and as to which there is no secondary market). See
"Investment Objective and Management Policies_Investment Restrictions" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
Page 12
RISK FACTORS
INVESTING IN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS _ You should consider carefully
the special risks inherent in the Fund's investment in New York Municipal
Obligations. These risks result from the financial condition of New York
State, certain of its public bodies and municipalities, and New York City.
Beginning in early 1975, New York State, New York City and other State entities
faced serious financial difficulties which jeopardized the credit standing
and impaired the borrowing abilities of such entities and contributed to high
interest rates on, and lower market prices for, debt obligations issued by
them. A recurrence of such financial difficulties or a failure of certain
financial recovery programs could result in defaults or declines in the
market values of various New York Municipal Obligations in which the Fund may
invest. If there should be a default or other financial crisis relating to
New York State, New York City, a State or City agency, or a State
municipality, the market value and marketability of outstanding New York
Municipal Obligations in the Fund's portfolio and the interest income to the
Fund could be adversely affected. Moreover, the significant slowdown in the
New York and regional economy in the early 1990s added substantial
uncertainty to estimates of the State's tax revenues, which, in part, caused
the State to overestimate its General Fund tax receipts in the 1992 fiscal
year by $575 million. The 1992 fiscal year was the fourth consecutive year in
which New York State incurred a cash-basis operating deficit in the General
Fund and issued deficit notes. The State's 1993 and 1994 fiscal years,
however, were characterized by national and regional economies that performed
better than projected. After reflecting a 1993 year-end deposit to the refund
reserve account of $671 million, reported 1993 General Fund receipts were $45
million higher than originally projected in April 1992. The State completed
the 1994 fiscal year with an operating surplus in the General Fund of $914
million. In September 1994, however, the State projected a General Fund
operating deficit of $690 million for the 1995 fiscal year. There can be no
assurance that New York will not face substantial potential budget gaps in
future years. In 1990, S&Pand Moody's lowered their ratings of the State's
general obligation debt from AA- to A and from A1 to A, respectively, and
short-term notes, from SP-1+ to SP-1 and from MIG-1 to MIG-2, respectively.
In January 1992, Moody's lowered from A to Baal the ratings on certain
appropriation-backed debt of New York State and its agencies. New York
State's general obligation, State-guaranteed and New York State Local
Government Assistance Corporation bonds continue to be rated A by Moody's. In
addition, in January 1992, S&P lowered from A to A- its ratings of New York
State general obligation bonds and stated that it continued to assess the
ratings outlook as negative. The ratings of various agency debt, State moral
obligations, contractual obligations, lease purchase obligations and State
guarantees also were lowered. In February 1991, Moody's lowered its rating on
New York City's general obligation bonds from A to Baal. The rating changes
reflected the rating agencies' concerns about the financial condition of New
York State and City, the heavy debt load of the State and City, and economic
uncertainties in the region. You should obtain and review a copy of the
Statement of Additional Information which more fully sets forth these and
other risk factors.
LOWER RATED BONDS -- You should carefully consider the relative risks of
investing in the higher yielding (and, therefore, higher risk) debt
securities in which the Fund may invest up to 35% of the value of its net
assets. These are bonds such as those rated Ba by Moody's or BB by S&P or
Fitch or as low as the lowest rating assigned by Moody's, S&P or Fitch. They
generally are not meant for short-term investing and may be subject to
certain risks with respect to the issuing entity and to greater market
fluctuations than certain lower yielding, higher rated fixed-income
securities. Bonds rated Ba by Moody's are judged to have speculative
elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured and often the
protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate. Bonds
rated BB by S&P are regarded as having predominantly speculative
characteristics and, while such obligations have less near-term vulnerability
to default than other speculative grade debt, they face major ongoing
uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic
conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest
and principal payments. Bonds rated BB by Fitch are considered speculative
and the payment of principal and interest may be affected at any time by
Page 13
adverse economic changes. Bonds rated C by Moody's are regarded as having
extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
Bonds rated D by S&P are in default and the payment of interest and/or
repayment of principal is in arrears. Bonds rated DDD, DD or D by Fitch are
in actual or imminent default, are extremely speculative and should be valued
on the basis of their ultimate recovery value in liquidation or
reorganization of the issuer; DDD represents the highest potential for
recovery of such bonds; and D represents the lowest potential for recovery.
Such bonds, though high yielding, are characterized by great risk. See
"Appendix B" in the Statement of Additional Information for a general
description of Moody's, S&P and Fitch ratings of Municipal Obligations. The
ratings of Moody's, S&P and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality
of the Municipal Obligations which they undertake to rate. It should be
emphasized, however, that ratings are relative and subjective and, although
ratings may be useful in evaluating the safety of interest and principal
payments, they do not evaluate the market value risk of these bonds.
Therefore, although these ratings may be an initial criterion for selection
of portfolio investments, The Dreyfus Corporation also will evaluate these
securities and the ability of the issuers of such securities to pay interest
and principal. The Fund's ability to achieve its investment objective may be m
ore dependent on The Dreyfus Corporation's credit analysis than might be the
case for a fund that invested in higher rated securities. Once the rating of
a portfolio security has been changed, the Fund will consider all
circumstances deemed relevant in determining whether to continue to hold the
security.
The market price and yield of bonds rated Ba or lower by Moody's
and BB or lower by S&P and Fitch are more volatile than those of higher rated
bonds. Factors adversely affecting the market price and yield of these
securities will adversely affect the Fund's net asset value. In addition, the
retail secondary market for these bonds may be less liquid than that of
higher rated bonds; adverse conditions could make it difficult at times for
the Fund to sell certain securities or could result in lower prices than
those used in calculating the Fund's net asset value.
The Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in zero coupon
securities and pay-in-kind bonds (bonds which pay interest through the
issuance of additional bonds) rated Ba or lower by Moody's and BB or lower by
S&P and Fitch. These securities may be subject to greater fluctuations in
value due to changes in interest rates than interest-bearing securities and
thus may be considered more speculative than comparably rated
interest-bearing securities. See "Other Investment Considerations" below, and
"Investment Objective and Management Policies_Risk Factors_Lower Rated Bonds"
and "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
OTHER INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS -- Even though interest-bearing securities
are investments which promise a stable stream of income, the prices of such
securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates and,
therefore, are subject to the risk of market price fluctuations. Certain
securities that may be purchased by the Fund, such as those with interest
rates that fluctuate directly or indirectly based on multiples of a stated
index, are designed to be highly sensitive to changes in interest rates and
can subject the holders thereof to extreme reductions of yield and possibly
loss of principal. The values of fixed-income securities also may be affected
by changes in the credit rating or financial condition of the issuing
entities. The Fund's net asset value generally will not be stable and should
fluctuate based upon changes in the value of the Fund's portfolio securities.
Securities in which the Fund invests may earn a higher level of current
income than certain shorter-term or higher quality securities which generally
have greater liquidity, less market risk and less fluctuation in market
value.
Federal income tax law requires the holder of a zero coupon
security or of certain pay-in-kind bonds to accrue income with respect to
these securities prior to the receipt of cash payments. To maintain its
qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid liability for
Federal income taxes, the Fund may be required to distribute such income
accrued with respect to these securities and may have to dispose of portfolio
securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to generate cash to
satisfy these distribution requirements.
Page 14
Certain municipal lease/purchase obligations in which the Fund may
invest may contain "non-appropriation" clauses which provide that the
municipality has no obligation to make lease payments in future years unless
money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. Although
"non-appropriation" lease/purchase obligations are secured by the leased
property, disposition of the leased property in the event of foreclosure
might prove difficult. In evaluating the credit quality of a municipal
lease/purchase obligation that is unrated, The Dreyfus Corporation will
consider, on an ongoing basis, a number of factors including the likelihood
that the issuing municipality will discontinue appropriating funding for the
leased property.
Certain provisions in the Code relating to the issuance of
Municipal Obligations may reduce the volume of Municipal Obligations
qualifying for Federal tax exemption. One effect of these provisions could be
to increase the cost of the Municipal Obligations available for purchase by
the Fund and thus reduce available yield. Shareholders should consult their
tax advisers concerning the effect of these provisions on an investment in
the Fund. Proposals that may restrict or eliminate the income tax exemption
for interest on Municipal Obligations may be introduced in the future. If any
such proposal were enacted that would reduce the availability of Municipal
Obligations for investment by the Fund so as to adversely affect Fund
shareholders, the Fund would reevaluate its investment objective and policies
and submit possible changes in the Fund's structure to shareholders for their
consideration. If legislation were enacted that would treat a type of
Municipal Obligation as taxable, the Fund would treat such security as a
permissible Taxable Investment within the applicable limits set forth herein.
The Fund's classification as a "non-diversified" investment company
means that the proportion of the Fund's assets that may be invested in the
securities of a single issuer is not limited by the Investment Company Act of
1940. A "diversified" investment company is required by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 generally to invest, with respect to 75% of its total
assets, not more than 5% of such assets in the securities of a single issuer.
However, the Fund intends to conduct its operations so as to qualify as a
"regulated investment company" for purposes of the Code, which requires that,
at the end of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the
market value of the Fund's total assets be invested in cash, U.S. Government
securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other
securities, with such other securities of any one issuer limited for the
purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of
the Fund's total assets, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total
assets be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S.
Government securities or the securities of other regulated investment
companies). Since a relatively high percentage of the Fund's assets may be inv
ested in the obligations of a limited number of issuers, the Fund's portfolio
securities may be more susceptible to any single economic, political or
regulatory occurrence than the portfolio securities of a diversified
investment company.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those
of other investment companies advised by The Dreyfus Corporation. However, if
such other investment companies are prepared to invest in, or desire to
dispose of, Municipal Obligations or Taxable Investments at the same time as
the Fund, available investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated
equitably to each investment company. In some cases, this procedure may
adversely affect the size of the position obtained for or disposed of by the
Fund or the price paid or received by the Fund.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Dreyfus Corporation, located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New
York 10166, was formed in 1947 and serves as the Fund's investment adviser.
The Dreyfus Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank, N.A.,
which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank Corporation ("Mellon"). As
of November 30, 1994, The Dreyfus Corporation managed or administered
approximately $71 billion in assets for more than 1.9 million investor
accounts nationwide.
The Dreyfus Corporation supervises and assists in the overall
management of the Fund's affairs under a Management Agreement with the Fund,
subject to the overall authority of the Fund's Board of Directors in
Page 15
accordance with Maryland law. The Fund's primary portfolio manager is Monica
S. Wieboldt. She has held that position since June 1988 and has been employed
by The Dreyfus Corporation since November 1983. The Fund's other portfolio
managers are identified under "Management of the Fund" in the Fund's Statement
of Additional Information. The Dreyfus Corporation also provides research
services for the Fund as well as for other funds advised by The Dreyfus
Corporation through a professional staff of portfolio managers and securities
analysts.
Mellon is a publicly owned multibank holding company incorporated
under Pennsylvania law in 1971 and registered under the Federal Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended. Mellon provides a comprehensive range of
financial products and services in domestic and selected international
markets. Mellon is among the twenty-five largest bank holding companies in
the United States based on total assets. Mellon's principal wholly-owned
subsidiaries are Mellon Bank, N.A., Mellon Bank (DE) National Association,
Mellon Bank (MD), The Boston Company, Inc., AFCO Credit Corporation and a
number of companies known as Mellon Financial Services Corporations. Through
its subsidiaries, including The Dreyfus Corporation, Mellon managed more than
$201 billion in assets as of September 30, 1994, including approximately $76
billion in mutual fund assets. As of September 30, 1994, various subsidiaries
of Mellon provided non-investment services, such as custodial or
administration services, for approximately $659 billion in assets, including
approximately $108 billion in mutual fund assets.
Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Fund has agreed to
pay The Dreyfus Corporation a monthly fee at the annual rate of .60 of 1% of
the value of the Fund's average daily net assets. From time to time, The
Dreyfus Corporation may waive receipt of its fees and/or voluntarily assume
certain expenses of the Fund, which would have the effect of lowering the
overall expense ratio of the Fund and increasing yield to investors at the
time such amounts are waived or assumed, as the case may be. The Fund will
not pay The Dreyfus Corporation at a later time for any amounts it may waive,
nor will the Fund reimburse The Dreyfus Corporation for any amounts it may
assume. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994, the Fund paid The Dreyfus
Corporation a management fee at the effective annual rate of .48 of 1% of the
value of the Fund's average daily net assets pursuant to an undertaking in
effect.
The Dreyfus Corporation may pay the Fund's distributor for
shareholder services from The Dreyfus Corporation's own assets, including
past profits but not including the management fee paid by the Fund. The
Fund's distributor may use part or all of these payments to pay Service
Agents in respect of these services.
The Fund's distributor is Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (the
"Distributor"), located at One Exchange Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Institutional Administration
Services, Inc., a provider of mutual fund administration services, the parent
company of which is Boston Institutional Group, Inc.
The Fund bears certain costs of distributing and servicing Fund
shares in accordance with a plan (the "Service Plan") adopted pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. See "Annual Fund
Operating Expenses" and "Service Plan."
The Shareholder Services Group, Inc., a subsidiary of First Data
Corporation, P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671, is the
Fund's Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent (the "Transfer Agent"). The
Bank of New York, 110 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286, is the
Fund's Custodian.
HOW TO BUY FUND SHARES
You can purchase Fund shares through the Distributor or certain
financial institutions (which may include banks), securities dealers
("Selected Dealers") and other industry professionals, such as investment
advisers, accountants and estate planning firms (collectively, "Service
Agents"), that have entered into service agreements with the Distributor.
Stock certificates are issued only upon your written request. No certifi-
Page 16
cates are issued for fractional shares. It is not recommended that the Fund be
used as a vehicle for Keogh, IRA or other qualified retirement plans. The Fund
reserves the right to reject any purchase order.
The minimum initial investment is $2,500, or $1,000 if you are a
client of a Service Agent which has made an aggregate minimum initial
purchase for its customers of $2,500. Subsequent investments must be at least
$100. The initial investment must be accompanied by the Fund's Account
Application. For full-time or part-time employees of The Dreyfus Corporation
or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, directors of The Dreyfus
Corporation, Board members of a fund advised by The Dreyfus Corporation,
including members of the Fund's Board, or the spouse or minor child of any of
the foregoing, the minimum initial investment is $1,000. For full-time or
part-time employees of The Dreyfus Corporation or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries who elect to have a portion of their pay directly deposited into
their Fund account, the minimum initial investment is $50. The Fund reserves
the right to vary further the initial and subsequent investment minimum
requirements at any time.
You may purchase Fund shares by check or wire, or through the
Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege described below. Checks should be made payable
to "The Dreyfus Family of Funds." Payments to open new accounts which are
mailed should be sent to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box 9387,
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9387, together with your Account Application.
For subsequent investments, your Fund account number should appear on the
check and an investment slip should be enclosed and sent to The Dreyfus
Family of Funds, P.O. Box 105, Newark, New Jersey 07101-0105. Neither initial
nor subsequent investments should be made by third party check. Purchase
orders may be delivered in person only to a Dreyfus Financial Center. THESE
ORDERS WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE FUND AND WILL BE PROCESSED ONLY UPON RECEIPT
THEREBY. For the location of the nearest Dreyfus Financial Center, please
call one of the telephone numbers listed under "General Information."
Wire payments may be made if your bank account is in a commercial
bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System or any other bank having
a correspondent bank in New York City. Immediately available funds may be
transmitted by wire to The Bank of New York, DDA#8900052406/General New York
Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., for purchase of Fund shares in your name. The wire
must include your Fund account number (for new accounts, your Taxpayer
Identification Number ("TIN") should be included instead), account
registration and dealer number, if applicable. If your initial purchase of
Fund shares is by wire, please call 1-800-645-6561 after completing your wire
payment to obtain your Fund account number. Please include your Fund account
number on the Fund's Account Application and promptly mail the Account
Application to the Fund, as no redemptions will be permitted until the
Account Application is received. You may obtain further information about
remitting funds in this manner from your bank. All payments should be made
in U.S. dollars and, to avoid fees and delays, should be drawn only on U.S.
banks. A charge will be imposed if any check used for investment in your
account does not clear. Other purchase procedures may be in effect for
clients of certain Service Agents. The Fund makes available to certain large
institutions the ability to issue purchase instructions through compatible
computer facilities.
Subsequent investments also may be made by electronic transfer of
funds from an account maintained in a bank or other domestic financial
institution that is an Automated Clearing House member. You must direct the
institution to transmit immediately available funds through the Automated
Clearing House to The Bank of New York with instructions to credit your Fund
account. The instructions must specify your Fund account registration and
your Fund account number PRECEDED BY THE DIGITS "1111."
Management understands that some Service Agents may impose certain
conditions on their clients which are different from those described in this
Prospectus, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory
authorities, may charge their clients direct fees for Servicing (as defined
under "Service Plan"). These fees would be in addition to any amounts which
might be received under the Fund's Service Plan. Each Service Agent has
agreed to transmit to its clients a schedule of such fees. You should consult
your Service Agent in this regard. See "Service Plan."
Page 17
Fund shares are sold on a continuous basis at the net asset value
per share next determined after an order in proper form is received by the
Transfer Agent. Net asset value per share is determined as of the close of
trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m., New
York time), on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. For
purposes of determining net asset value per share, options and futures
contracts will be valued 15 minutes after the close of trading on the floor
of the New York Stock Exchange. Net asset value per share is computed by
dividing the value of the Fund's net assets (i.e., the value of its assets
less liabilities) by the total number of shares outstanding. The Fund's
investments are valued by an independent pricing service approved by the
Board of Directors and are valued at fair value as determined by the pricing
service. The pricing service's procedures are reviewed under the general
supervision of the Board of Directors. For further information regarding the
methods employed in valuing Fund investments, see "Determination of Net Asset
Value" in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
Federal regulations require that you provide a certified TIN upon
opening or reopening an account. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" and
the Fund's Account Application for further information concerning this
requirement. Failure to furnish a certified TIN to the Fund could subject you
to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS").
DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE _ You may purchase Fund shares (minimum $500,
maximum $150,000 per day) by telephone if you have checked the appropriate
box and supplied the necessary information on the Fund's Account Application
or have filed a Shareholder Services Form with the Transfer Agent. The
proceeds will be transferred between the bank account designated in one of
these documents and your Fund account. Only a bank account maintained in a
domestic financial institution which is an Automated Clearing House member
may be so designated. The Fund may modify or terminate this Privilege at any
time or charge a service fee upon notice to shareholders. No such fee
currently is contemplated.
If you have selected the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege, you may
request a Dreyfus TELETRANSFER purchase of Fund shares by telephoning
1-800-221-4060 or, if you are calling from overseas, call 1-401-455-3306.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The services and privileges described under this heading may not be
available to clients of certain Service Agents and some Service Agents may
impose certain conditions on their clients which are different from those
described in this Prospectus. You should consult your Service Agent in this
regard. In addition, use of the privileges noted below may require that the
proper forms and information be filed with and processed by the Transfer
Agent.
FUND EXCHANGES -- You may purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund,
shares of certain other funds managed or administered by The Dreyfus
Corporation, to the extent such shares are offered for sale in your state of
residence. These funds have different investment objectives which may be of
interest to you. If you desire to use this service, you should consult your
Service Agent or call 1-800-645-6561 to determine if it is available and
whether any conditions are imposed on its use.
To request an exchange, you or your Service Agent acting on your
behalf must give exchange instructions to the Transfer Agent in writing or by
telephone. Before any exchange, you must obtain and should review a copy of
the current prospectus of the fund into which the exchange is being made.
Prospectuses may be obtained by calling 1-800-645-6561. Except in the case of
Personal Retirement Plans, the shares being exchanged must have a current
value of at least $500; furthermore, when establishing a new account by
exchange, the shares being exchanged must have a value of at least the
minimum initial investment required for the fund into which the exchange is
being made. The ability to issue exchange instructions by telephone is given
to all Fund shareholders automatically, unless you to check the relevant "NO"
box on the Account Application, indicating that you specifically refuse this
Privilege. The Telephone Exchange Privilege may be established for an
existing account by written request, signed by all shareholders on the
account, or by a separate signed Shareholder Services Form, also available by
calling, 1-800-645-6561. If you have established the
Page 18
Telephone Exchange Privilege, you may telephone exchange instructions by
calling 1-800-221-4060 or, if you are calling from overseas, call
1-401-455-3306. See "How to Redeem Fund Shares_Procedures." Upon an exchange
into a new account, the following shareholder services and privileges, as
applicable and where available, will be automatically carried over to the fund
into which the exchange is made: Telephone Exchange Privilege, Check
Redemption Privilege, Wire Redemption Privilege, Telephone Redemption
Privilege, Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege, and the dividend/capital gain
distribution option (except for Dreyfus Dividend Sweep) selected by the
investor.
Shares will be exchanged at the next determined net asset value;
however, a sales load may be charged with respect to exchanges into funds
sold with a sales load. If you are exchanging into a fund that charges a
sales load, you may qualify for share prices which do not include the sales
load or which reflect a reduced sales load, if the shares of the fund from
which you are exchanging were: (a) purchased with a sales load, (b) acquired
by a previous exchange from shares purchased with a sales load, or (c)
acquired through reinvestment of dividends or distributions paid with respect
to the foregoing categories of shares. To qualify, at the time of your
exchange you must notify the Transfer Agent or your Service Agent must notify
the Distributor. Any such qualification is subject to confirmation of your
holdings through a check of appropriate records. See "Shareholder Services"
in the Statement of Additional Information. No fees currently are charged
shareholders directly in connection with exchanges, although the Fund
reserves the right, upon not less than 60 days' written notice, to charge
shareholders a nominal fee in accordance with rules promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Fund reserves the right to reject any
exchange request in whole or in part. The availability of Fund exchanges may
be modified or terminated at any time upon notice to shareholders.
The exchange of shares of one fund for shares of another is treated
for Federal income tax purposes as a sale of the shares given in exchange by
the shareholder and, therefore, an exchanging shareholder may realize a
taxable gain or loss.
DREYFUS AUTO-EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE -- Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege enables
you to invest regularly (on a semi-monthly, monthly, quarterly or annual
basis), in exchange for shares of the Fund, in shares of other funds in the
Dreyfus Family of Funds of which you are currently an investor. The amount
you designate, which can be expressed either in terms of a specific dollar or
share amount ($100 minimum), will be exchanged automatically on the first
and/or fifteenth of the month according to the schedule you have selected.
Shares will be exchanged at the then-current net asset value; however, a
sales load may be charged with respect to exchanges into funds sold with a
sales load. See "Shareholder Services" in the Statement of Additional
Information. The right to exercise this Privilege may be modified or
cancelled by the Fund or the Transfer Agent. You may modify or cancel your
exercise of this Privilege at any time by writing to The Dreyfus Family of
Funds, P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671. The Fund may
charge a service fee for the use of this Privilege. No such fee currently is
contemplated. The exchange of shares of one fund for shares of another is
treated for Federal income tax purposes as a sale of the shares given in
exchange by the shareholder and, therefore, an exchanging shareholder may
realize a taxable gain or loss. For more information concerning this
Privilege and the funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds eligible to
participate in this Privilege, or to obtain a Dreyfus Auto-Exchange
Authorization Form, please call toll free 1-800-645-6561.
DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDER -- Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder permits
you to purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 and maximum of $150,000 per
transaction) at regular intervals selected by you. Fund shares are purchased
by transferring funds from the bank account designated by you. At your
option, the bank account designated by you will be debited in the specified
amount, and Fund shares will be purchased, once a month, on either the first
or fifteenth day, or twice a month, on both days. Only an account maintained
at a domestic financial institution which is an Automated Clearing House
member may be so designated. To establish a Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder
account, you must file an authorization form with the Transfer Agent. You may
Page 19
obtain the necessary authorization form by calling 1-800-645-6561. You may
cancel your participation in this Privilege or change the amount of purchase
at any time by mailing written notification to The Dreyfus Family of Funds,
P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671, and the notification will
be effective three business days following receipt. The Fund may modify or
terminate this Privilege at any time or charge a service fee. No such fee
currently is contemplated.
DREYFUS GOVERNMENT DIRECT DEPOSIT PRIVILEGE -- Dreyfus Government Direct
Deposit Privilege enables you to purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 and
maximum of $50,000 per transaction) by having Federal salary, Social
Security, or certain veterans', military or other payments from the Federal
government automatically deposited into your Fund account. You may deposit as
much of such payments as you elect. To enroll in Dreyfus Government Direct
Deposit, you must file with the Transfer Agent a completed Direct Deposit
Sign-Up Form for each type of payment that you desire to include in the
Privilege. The appropriate form may be obtained by calling 1-800-645-6561.
Death or legal incapacity will terminate your participation in this
Privilege. You may elect at any time to terminate your participation by
notifying in writing the appropriate Federal agency. Further, the Fund may
terminate your participation upon 30 days' notice to you.
DREYFUS DIVIDEND OPTIONS -- Dreyfus Dividend Sweep enables you to invest
automatically dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions, if any,
paid by the Fund in shares of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds of
which you are a shareholder. Shares of the other fund will be purchased at
the then-current net asset value; however, a sales load may be charged with
respect to investments in shares of a fund sold with a sales load. If you are
investing in a fund that charges a sales load, you may qualify for share price
s which do not include the sales load or which reflect a reduced sales load.
If you are investing in a fund that charges a contingent deferred sales
charge, the shares purchased will be subject on redemption to the contingent
deferred sales charge, if any, applicable to the purchased shares. See
"Shareholder Services" in the Statement of Additional Information. Dreyfus
Dividend ACH permits you to transfer electronically on the payment date
dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, from the Fund
to a designated bank account. Only an account maintained at a domestic
financial institution which is an Automated Clearing House member may be so
designated. Banks may charge a fee for this service.
For more information concerning these privileges, or to request a
Dividend Options Form, please call toll free 1-800-645-6561. You may cancel
these privileges by mailing written notification to The Dreyfus Family of
Funds, P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671. Enrollment in or
cancellation of these privileges is effective three business days following
receipt. These privileges are available only for existing accounts and may
not be used to open new accounts. Minimum subsequent investments do not apply
for Dreyfus Dividend Sweep. The Fund may modify or terminate these privileges
at any time or charge a service fee. No such fee currently is contemplated.
DREYFUS PAYROLL SAVINGS PLAN -- Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan permits you to
purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 per transaction) automatically on a
regular basis. Depending upon your employer's direct deposit program, you may
have part or all of your paycheck transferred to your existing Dreyfus
account electronically through the Automated Clearing House system at each
pay period. To establish a Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan account, you must
file an authorization form with your employer's payroll department. Your
employer must complete the reverse side of the form and return it to The
Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671.
You may obtain the necessary authorization form by calling 1-800-645-6561.
You may change the amount of purchase or cancel the authorization only by
written notification to your employer. It is the sole responsibility of your
employer, not the Distributor, The Dreyfus Corporation, the Fund, the
Transfer Agent or any other person, to arrange for transactions under the
Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan. The Fund may modify or terminate this Privilege
at any time or charge a service fee. No such fee currently is contemplated.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN -- The Automatic Withdrawal Plan permits you to
request withdrawal of a specified dollar amount (minimum of $50) on either a
monthly or quarterly basis if you have a $5,000 mini-
Page 20
mum account. An application for the Automatic Withdrawal Plan can be obtained
by calling 1-800-645-6561. There is a service charge of 50 cents for each
withdrawal check. The Automatic Withdrawal Plan may be ended at any time by
you, the Fund or the Transfer Agent. Shares for which certificates have been
issued may not be redeemed through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
HOW TO REDEEM FUND SHARES
GENERAL _ You may request redemption of your shares at any time. Redemption
requests should be transmitted to the Transfer Agent as described below. When
a request is received in proper form, the Fund will redeem the shares at the
next determined net asset value.
The Fund imposes no charges when shares are redeemed directly
through the Distributor. Service Agents may charge a nominal fee for
effecting redemptions of Fund shares. Any stock certificates representing
Fund shares being redeemed must be submitted with the redemption request. The
value of the shares redeemed may be more or less than their original cost,
depending upon the Fund's then-current net asset value.
The Fund ordinarily will make payment for all shares redeemed
within seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of a redemption request
in proper form, except as provided by the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. HOWEVER, IF YOU HAVE PURCHASED FUND SHARES BY CHECK, BY
THE DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE OR THROUGH DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDER
AND SUBSEQUENTLY SUBMIT A WRITTEN REDEMPTION REQUEST TO THE TRANSFER AGENT,
THE REDEMPTION PROCEEDS WILL BE TRANSMITTED TO YOU PROMPTLY UPON BANK
CLEARANCE OF YOUR PURCHASE CHECK, DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PURCHASE OR DREYFUS-AUT
OMATIC ASSET BUILDER ORDER, WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO EIGHT BUSINESS DAYS OR MORE.
IN ADDITION, THE FUND WILL NOT HONOR REDEMPTION CHECKS UNDER THE CHECK
REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE, AND WILL REJECT REQUESTS TO REDEEM SHARES BY WIRE OR
TELEPHONE OR PURSUANT TO THE DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE, FOR A PERIOD OF
EIGHT BUSINESS DAYS AFTER RECEIPT BY THE TRANSFER AGENT OF THE PURCHASE
CHECK, THE DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PURCHASE OR THE DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET
BUILDER ORDER AGAINST WHICH SUCH REDEMPTION IS REQUESTED. THESE PROCEDURES
WILL NOT APPLY IF YOUR SHARES WERE PURCHASED BY WIRE PAYMENT, OR IF YOU
OTHERWISE HAVE A SUFFICIENT COLLECTED BALANCE IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO COVER THE
REDEMPTION REQUEST. PRIOR TO THE TIME ANY REDEMPTION IS EFFECTIVE, DIVIDENDS
ON SUCH SHARES WILL ACCRUE AND BE PAYABLE, AND YOU WILL BE ENTITLED TO
EXERCISE ALL OTHER RIGHTS OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP. Fund shares will not be
redeemed until the Transfer Agent has received your Account Application.
The Fund reserves the right to redeem your account at its option
upon not less than 45 days' written notice if your account's net asset value
is $500 or less and remains so during the notice period.
PROCEDURES _ You may redeem Fund shares by using the regular redemption
procedure through the Transfer Agent, the Check Redemption Privilege, the
Wire Redemption Privilege, the Telephone Redemption Privilege, the Dreyfus
TELETRANSFER Privilege or, if you are a client of a Selected Dealer, through
the Selected Dealer. If you have given your Service Agent authority to
instruct the Transfer Agent to redeem shares and to credit the proceeds of
such redemptions to a designated account at your Service Agent, you may redeem
shares only in this manner and in accordance with the regular redemption
procedure described below. If you wish to use the other redemption methods
described below, you must arrange with your Service Agent for delivery of the
required application(s) to the Transfer Agent. Other redemption procedures
may be in effect for clients of certain Service Agents. The Fund makes
available to certain large institutions the ability to issue redemption
instructions through compatible computer facilities.
You may redeem Fund shares by telephone if you have checked the
appropriate box on the Fund's Account Application or have filed a Shareholder
Services Form with the Transfer Agent. If you select a telephone redemption
privilege or telephone exchange privilege (which is granted automatically
unless you refuse it), you authorize the Transfer Agent to act on telephone
instructions from any person representing himself or
Page 21
herself to be you, or a representative of your Service Agent, and reasonably
believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Fund will require the
Transfer Agent to employ reasonable procedures, such as requiring a form of
personal identification, to confirm that instructions are genuine and, if it
does not follow such procedures, the Fund or the Transfer Agent may be liable
for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Neither the
Fund nor the Transfer Agent will be liable for following telephone
instructions reasonably believed to be genuine.
During times of drastic economic or market conditions, you may
experience difficulty in contacting the Transfer Agent by telephone to
request a redemption or exchange of Fund shares. In such cases, you should
consider using the other redemption procedures described herein. Use of these
other redemption procedures may result in your redemption request being
processed at a later time than it would have been if telephone redemption had
been used. During the delay, the Fund's net asset value may fluctuate.
REGULAR REDEMPTION _ Under the regular redemption procedure, you may redeem
your shares by written request mailed to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O.
Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671. Redemption requests may be
delivered in person only to a Dreyfus Financial Center. THESE REQUESTS WILL
BE FORWARDED TO THE FUND AND WILL BE PROCESSED ONLY UPON RECEIPT THEREBY. For
the location of the nearest Dreyfus Financial Center, please call one of the
telephone numbers listed under "General Information." Redemption requests
must be signed by each shareholder, including each owner of a joint account,
and each signature must be guaranteed. The Transfer Agent has adopted
standards and procedures pursuant to which signature-guarantees in proper
form generally will be accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit
unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations,
clearing agencies and savings associations, as well as from participants in
the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program, the Securities
Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") and the Stock Exchanges Medallion
Program. If you have any questions with respect to signature-guarantees,
please call one of the telephone numbers listed under "General Information."
Redemption proceeds of at least $1,000 will be wired to any member
bank of the Federal Reserve System in accordance with a written
signature-guaranteed request.
CHECK REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE _ You may request on the Account Application,
Shareholder Services Form or by later written request that the Fund provide
Redemption Checks drawn on the Fund's account. Redemption Checks may be made
payable to the order of any person in the amount of $500 or more. Potential
fluctuations in the net asset value of Fund shares should be considered in
determining the amount of the check. Redemption Checks should not be used to
close your account. Redemption Checks are free, but the Transfer Agent will
impose a fee for stopping payment of a Redemption Check upon your request or
if the Transfer Agent cannot honor the Redemption Check due to insufficient
funds or other valid reason. You should date your Redemption Checks with the
current date when you write them. Please do not post-date your Redemption
Checks. If you do so, the Transfer Agent will honor upon presentment, even if
presented before the date of the check, all post-dated Redemption Checks
which are dated within six months of presentment for payment, if they are
otherwise in good order. Shares for which certificates have been issued may
not be redeemed by Redemption Check. This Privilege may be modified or
terminated at any time by the Fund or the Transfer Agent upon notice to
shareholders.
WIRE REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE -- You may request by wire or telephone that
redemption proceeds (minimum $1,000) be wired to your account at a bank which
is a member of the Federal Reserve System, or a correspondent bank if your
bank is not a member. To establish the Wire Redemption Privilege, you must
check the appropriate box and supply the necessary information on the Fund's
Account Application or file a Shareholder Services Form with the Transfer
Agent. You may direct that redemption proceeds be paid by check (maximum
$150,000 per day) made out to the owners of record and mailed to your address.
Redemption proceeds of less than $1,000 will be paid automatically by check.
Holders of jointly registered Fund or bank accounts may have redemption
proceeds of not more than $250,000 wired within any 30-day
Page 22
period. You may telephone redemption requests by calling 1-800-221-4060 or, if
you are calling from overseas, call 1-401-455-3306. The Fund reserves the
right to refuse any redemption request, including requests made shortly after
a change of address, and may limit the amount involved or the number of such
requests. This Privilege may be modified or terminated at any time by the
Transfer Agent or the Fund. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information
sets forth instructions for transmitting redemption requests by wire. Shares
for which certificates have been issued are not eligible for this Privilege.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE -- You may redeem Fund shares (maximum
$150,000 per day) by telephone if you have checked the appropriate box on the
Fund's Account Application or have filed a Shareholder Services Form with the
Transfer Agent. The redemption proceeds will be paid by check and mailed to
your address. You may telephone redemption instructions by calling
1-800-221-4060 or, if you are calling from overseas, call 1-401-455-3306. The
Fund reserves the right to refuse any request made by telephone, including
requests made shortly after a change of address, and may limit the amount
involved or the number of telephone redemption requests. This Privilege may
be modified or terminated at any time by the Transfer Agent or the Fund.
Shares for which certificates have been issued are not eligible for this
Privilege.
DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE -- You may redeem Fund shares (minimum $500
per day) by telephone if you have checked the appropriate box and supplied
the necessary information on the Fund's Account Application or have filed a
Shareholder Services Form with the Transfer Agent. The proceeds will be
transferred between your Fund account and the bank account designated in one
of these documents. Only such an account maintained in a domestic financial
institution which is an Automated Clearing House member may be so designated.
Redemption proceeds will be on deposit in your account at an Automated
Clearing House member bank ordinarily two days after receipt of the
redemption request or, at your request, paid by check (maximum $150,000 per
day) and mailed to your address. Holders of jointly registered Fund or bank
accounts may redeem through the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege for transfer
to their bank account not more than $250,000 within any 30-day period. The
Fund reserves the right to refuse any request made by telephone, including
requests made shortly after a change of address, and may limit the amount
involved or the number of such requests. The Fund may modify or terminate
this Privilege at any time or charge a service fee upon notice to
shareholders. No such fee currently is contemplated.
If you have selected the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege, you may
request a Dreyfus TELETRANSFER redemption of Fund shares by telephoning
1-800-221-4060 or, if you are calling from overseas, call 1-401-455-3306.
Shares issued in certificate form are not eligible for this Privilege.
REDEMPTION THROUGH A SELECTED DEALER -- If you are a customer of a Selected
Dealer, you may make redemption requests to your Selected Dealer. If the
Selected Dealer transmits the redemption request so that it is received by
the Transfer Agent prior to the close of trading on the floor of the New York
Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time), the redemption request
will be effective on that day. If a redemption request is received by the
Transfer Agent after the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock
Exchange, the redemption request will be effective on the next business day.
It is the responsibility of the Selected Dealer to transmit a request so that
it is received in a timely manner. The proceeds of the redemption are
credited to your account with the Selected Dealer. See "How to Buy Fund
Shares" for a discussion of additional conditions or fees that may be imposed
upon redemption.
SERVICE PLAN
Under the Service Plan, adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund (a) reimburses the Distributor for
payments to certain Service Agents for distributing the Fund's shares and
servicing shareholder accounts ("Servicing") and (b) pays The Dreyfus
Corporation, Dreyfus Service Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The
Dreyfus Corporation, and any affiliate of either of them (collectively,
"Dreyfus") for advertising and marketing relating to the Fund and for
Servicing, at an
Page 23
aggregate annual rate of .20 of 1% of the value of the Fund's average daily
net assets. Each of the Distributor and Dreyfus may pay one or more Service
Agents a fee in respect of the Fund's shares owned by shareholders with whom
the Service Agent has a Servicing relationship or for whom the Service Agent
is the dealer or holder of record. Each of the Distributor and Dreyfus
determine the amounts, if any, to be paid to Service Agents under the Service
Plan and the basis on which such payments are made. The fees payable under the
Service Plan are payable without regard to actual expenses incurred.
The Fund also bears the costs of preparing and printing
prospectuses and statements of additional information used for regulatory
purposes and for distribution to existing shareholders. Under the Service
Plan, the Fund bears (a) the costs of preparing, printing and distributing
prospectuses and statements of additional information used for other
purposes, and (b) the costs associated with implementing and operating the
Service Plan (such as costs of printing and mailing service agreements), the
aggregate of such amounts not to exceed in any fiscal year of the Fund the
greater of $100,000 or .005 of 1% of the value of the Fund's average daily
net assets for such fiscal year. Each item for which a payment may be made
under the Service Plan may constitute an expense of distributing Fund shares
as the Securities and Exchange Commission construes such term under Rule
12b-1.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
The Fund ordinarily declares dividends from its net investment
income on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. Fund
shares begin earning income dividends on the day following the date of
purchase. Dividends usually are paid on the last business day of each month
and are automatically reinvested in additional Fund shares at net asset value
or, at your option, paid in cash. The Fund's earnings for Saturdays, Sundays
and holidays are declared as dividends on the next business day. If you
redeem all shares in your account at any time during the month, all dividends
to which you are entitled will be paid to you along with the proceeds of the
redemption. Distributions from net realized securities gains, if any,
generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Fund may make
distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution
requirements of the Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the
provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund will not make
distributions from net realized securities gains unless capital loss
carryovers, if any, have been utilized or have expired. You may choose
whether to receive distributions in cash or to reinvest in additional Fund
shares at net asset value. All expenses are accrued daily and deducted before
declaration of dividends to investors.
Except for dividends from Taxable Investments, the Fund anticipates
that substantially all dividends paid by the Fund will not be subject to
Federal or New York State and New York City personal income taxes. To the
extent that you are obligated to pay state or local taxes outside of New York
State and New York City, dividends earned by an investment in the Fund may
represent taxable income. Dividends derived from Taxable Investments,
together with distributions from any net realized short-term securities gains
and all or a portion of any gains realized from the sale or other disposition
of certain market discount bonds, paid by the Fund are subject to Federal
income tax as ordinary income whether received in cash or reinvested in
additional Fund shares. No dividend paid by the Fund will qualify for the
dividends received deduction allowable to certain U.S. corporations.
Distributions from net realized long-term securities gains of the Fund
generally are taxable as long-term capital gains for Federal income tax
purposes if you are a citizen or resident of the United States. Dividends and
distributions attributable to income or gain derived from securities
transactions and from the use of certain of the investment techniques
described under "Description of the Fund_Investment Techniques," will be
subject to Federal income tax. The Code provides that the net capital gain of
an individual generally will not be subject to Federal income tax at a rate
in excess of 28%. Under the Code, interest on indebtedness incurred or
continued to purchase or carry Fund shares which is deemed to relate to
exempt-interest dividends is not deductible.
Page 24
Although all or a substantial portion of the dividends paid by the
Fund may be excluded by shareholders of the Fund from their gross income for
Federal income tax purposes, the Fund may purchase specified private activity
bonds, the interest from which may be (i) a preference item for purposes of
the alternative minimum tax, (ii) a component of the "adjusted current
earnings" preference item for purposes of the corporate alternative minimum
tax as well as a component in computing the corporate environmental tax or
(iii) a factor in determining the extent to which a shareholder's Social
Security benefits are taxable. If the Fund purchases such securities, the
portion of the Fund's dividends related thereto will not necessarily be tax
exempt to an investor who is subject to the alternative minimum tax and/or
tax on Social Security benefits and may cause an investor to be subject to
such taxes.
Notice as to the tax status of your dividends and distributions
will be mailed to you annually. You also will receive periodic summaries of
your account which will include information as to dividends and distributions
from securities gains, if any, paid during the year. These statements set
forth the dollar amount of income exempt from Federal tax and the dollar
amount, if any, subject to Federal tax. These dollar amounts will vary
depending on the size and length of time of your investment in the Fund. If
the Fund pays dividends derived from taxable income, it intends to designate
as taxable the same percentage of the day's dividend as the actual taxable
income earned on that day bears to total income earned on that day. Thus, the
percentage of the dividend designated as taxable, if any, may vary from day
to day.
Federal regulations generally require the Fund to withhold ("backup
withholding") and remit to the U.S. Treasury 31% of taxable dividends,
distributions from net realized securities gains and the proceeds of any
redemption, regardless of the extent to which gain or loss may be realized,
paid to a shareholder if such shareholder fails to certify either that the
TIN furnished in connection with opening an account is correct, or that such
shareholder has not received notice from the IRS of being subject to backup
withholding as a result of a failure to properly report taxable dividend or
interest income on a Federal income tax return. Furthermore, the IRS may
notify the Fund to institute backup withholding if the IRS determines a
shareholder's TIN is incorrect or if a shareholder has failed to properly
report taxable dividend and interest income on a Federal income tax return.
A TIN is either the Social Security number or employer
identification number of the record owner of the account. Any tax withheld as
a result of backup withholding does not constitute an additional tax imposed
on the record owner of the account, and may be claimed as a credit on the
record owner's Federal income tax return.
Management of the Fund believes that the Fund has qualified for the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1994 as a "regulated investment company" under
the Code. The Fund intends to continue to so qualify if such qualification is
in the best interests of its shareholders. Such qualification relieves the
Fund of any liability for Federal income tax to the extent its earnings are
distributed in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code. The Fund is
subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax, measured with respect to certain
undistributed amounts of taxable investment income and capital gains.
You should consult your tax adviser regarding specific questions as
to Federal, state or local taxes.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
For purposes of advertising, performance may be calculated on
several bases, including current yield, tax equivalent yield, average annual
total return and/or total return.
Current yield refers to the Fund's annualized net investment income
per share over a 30-day period, expressed as a percentage of the net asset
value per share at the end of the period. For purposes of calculating current
yield, the amount of net investment income per share during that 30-day
period, computed in accordance with regulatory requirements, is compounded by
assuming that it is reinvested at a constant rate over a six-month period. An
identical result is then assumed to have occurred during a second six-month
period which, when added to the result for the first six months, provides an
"annualized" yield for an entire
Page 25
one-year period. Calculations of the Fund's current yield may reflect absorbed
expenses pursuant to any undertaking which may be in effect. See
"Management of the Fund."
Tax equivalent yield is calculated by determining the pre-tax yield
which, after being taxed at a stated rate, would be equivalent to a stated
current yield calculated as described above.
Average annual total return is calculated pursuant to a
standardized formula which assumes that an investment in the Fund was
purchased with an initial payment of $1,000 and that the investment was
redeemed at the end of a stated period of time, after giving effect to the
reinvestment of dividends and distributions during the period. The return is
expressed as a percentage rate which, if applied on a compounded annual
basis, would result in the redeemable value of the investment at the end of
the period. Advertisements of the Fund's performance will include the Fund's
average annual total return for one, five and ten year periods, or for
shorter time periods depending upon the length of time during which the Fund
has operated.
Total return is computed on a per share basis and assumes the
reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total return generally is
expressed as a percentage rate which is calculated by combining the income
and principal changes for a specified period and dividing by the net asset
value per share at the beginning of the period. Advertisements may include
the percentage rate of total return or may include the value of a
hypothetical investment at the end of the period which assumes the
application of the percentage rate of total return.
Performance will vary from time to time and past results are not
necessarily representative of future results. You should remember that
performance is a function of portfolio management in selecting the type and
quality of portfolio securities and is affected by operating expenses.
Performance information, such as that described above, may not provide a
basis for comparison with other investments or other investment companies
using a different method of calculating performance.
Comparative performance information may be used from time to time
in advertising or marketing the Fund's shares, including data from CDA
Investment Technologies, Inc., Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Moody's Bond
Survey Bond Index, Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index, Morningstar, Inc.
and other industry publications.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund was incorporated under Maryland law on November 19, 1984.
The Fund is authorized to issue 100 million shares of Common Stock, par value
$.01 per share. Each share has one vote.
Unless otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940,
ordinarily it will not be necessary for the Fund to hold annual meetings of
shareholders. As a result, Fund shareholders may no longer consider each year
the election of Directors or the appointment of auditors. However, pursuant
to the Fund's By-Laws, the holders of at least 10% of the shares outstanding
and entitled to vote may require the Fund to hold a special meeting of
shareholders for the purpose of removing a Director from office and the
holders of at least 25% of such shares may require the Fund to hold a special
meeting of shareholders for any other purpose. Fund shareholders may remove a
Director by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding
voting shares. In addition, the Board of Directors will call a meeting of
shareholders for the purpose of electing Directors if, at any time, less than
a majority of the Directors then holding office have been elected by
shareholders.
On May 31, 1988, Fund shareholders accepted the resignation of The
Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. ("Chase") as the Fund's investment adviser and The
Dreyfus Corporation was engaged to serve as the Fund's manager (which
involves providing both the services formerly provided by Chase and those
provided by The Dreyfus Corporation under its prior administration agreement
with the Fund) pursuant to the Management Agreement.
Page 26
The Transfer Agent maintains a record of your ownership and sends
confirmations and statements of account.
Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing to the Fund at 144
Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144, or by calling toll
free 1-800-645-6561. In New York City, call 1-718-895-1206, on Long Island
call 794-5452.
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE
ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN THE
FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER OF THE FUND'S
SHARES, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST
NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND. THIS PROSPECTUS
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM,
SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
Page 27
General New York
Municipal
Bond Fund, Inc.
(Lion Logo)
Prospectus
Registration Mark
Copy Rights 1995 Dreyfus Service Corporation
949p15030195
__________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
PART B
(STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
MARCH 1, 1995
__________________________________________________________________________
This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus,
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus
of General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), dated March 1,
1995, as it may be revised from time to time. To obtain a copy of the
Fund's Prospectus, please write to the Fund at 144 Glenn Curtiss
Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144, or call the following numbers:
Call Toll Free 1-800-645-6561
In New York City -- Call 1-718-895-1206
On Long Island -- Call 794-5452
The Dreyfus Corporation (the "Manager") serves as the Fund's
investment adviser.
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (the "Distributor") is the
distributor of the Fund's shares.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Investment Objective and Management Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Management of the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-10
Management Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-13
Purchase of Fund Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-15
Service Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-15
Redemption of Fund Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-16
Shareholder Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-18
Determination of Net Asset Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-21
Portfolio Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-21
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-22
Performance Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-24
Information About the Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-25
Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent,
Counsel and Independent Auditors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-25
Appendix A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-27
Appendix B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-44
Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-52
Report of Independent Auditors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-61
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND MANAGEMENT POLICIES
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled
"Description of the Fund."
Portfolio Securities. The average distribution of investments (at
value) in Municipal Obligations (including notes) by ratings for the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1994, computed on a monthly basis, was as
follows:
Fitch Moody's Standard
Investors Investors & Poor's
Service, Inc. Service, Inc. Corporation Percentage
("Fitch") or ("Moody's") or ("S&P") of Value
AAA Aaa AAA 11.6%
AA Aa AA 20.9%
A A A 26.3%
BBB Baa BBB 34.3%
BB BB BB .5%
F-1 P-1 A-1 .8%
Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated 5.6%*
100.0%
_______________________________
* Included in the Not Rated category are securities comprising 5.6% of
the Fund's market Value which, while not rated, have been determined
by the Manager to be of comparable quality to securities rated Baa/BBB.
Municipal Obligations. The term "Municipal Obligations" generally
includes debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public
purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities
such as airports, bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass
transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Other public
purposes for which Municipal Obligations may be issued include refunding
outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses
and lending such funds to other public institutions and facilities. In
addition, certain types of industrial development bonds are issued by or
on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide for the
construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated
housing facilities, sports facilities, convention or trade show
facilities, airport, mass transit, industrial, port or parking facilities,
air or water pollution control facilities and certain local facilities for
water supply, gas, electricity or sewage or solid waste disposal; the
interest paid on such obligations may be exempt from Federal income tax,
although current tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of
such issues. Such obligations are considered to be Municipal Obligations
if the interest paid thereon qualifies as exempt from Federal income tax
in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer. There are, of course,
variations in the security of Municipal Obligations, both within a
particular classification and between classifications.
Floating and variable rate demand notes and bonds are tax exempt
obligations ordinarily having stated maturities in excess of one year, but
which permit the holder to demand payment of principal at any time, or at
specified intervals. The issuer of such obligations ordinarily has a
corresponding right, after a given period, to prepay in its discretion the
outstanding principal amount of the obligations plus accrued interest upon
a specified number of days' notice to the holders thereof. The interest
rate on a floating rate demand obligation is based on a known lending
rate, such as a bank's prime rate, and is adjusted automatically each time
such rate is adjusted. The interest rate on a variable rate demand
obligation is adjusted automatically at specified intervals.
The yields on Municipal Obligations are dependent on a variety of
factors, including general economic and monetary conditions, money market
factors, conditions in the Municipal Obligations market, size of a
particular offering, maturity of the obligation, and rating of the issue.
The imposition of the Fund's management fee, as well as other operating
expenses, including fees paid under its Service Plan, will have the effect
of reducing the yield to investors.
Municipal lease obligations or installment purchase contract
obligations (collectively, "lease obligations") have special risks not
ordinarily associated with Municipal Obligations. Although lease
obligations do not constitute general obligations of the municipality for
which the municipality's taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation
ordinarily is backed by the municipality's covenant to budget for,
appropriate and make the payments due under the lease obligation.
However, certain lease obligations contain "non-appropriation" clauses
which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or
installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated
for such purpose on a yearly basis. Although "non-appropriation" lease
obligations are secured by the leased property, disposition of the
property in the event of foreclosure might prove difficult. The staff of
the Securities and Exchange Commission currently considers certain lease
obligations to be illiquid. Determination as to the liquidity of such
securities is made in accordance with guidelines established by the Fund's
Board. Pursuant to such guidelines, the Board has directed the Manager to
monitor carefully the Fund's investment in such securities with particular
regard to (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the lease obligation;
(2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the lease obligation
and the number of other potential buyers; (3) the willingness of dealers
to undertake to make a market in the lease obligation; (4) the nature of
the marketplace trades including the time needed to dispose of the lease
obligation, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer;
and (5) such other factors concerning the trading market for the lease
obligation as the Manager may deem relevant. In addition, in evaluating
the liquidity and credit quality of a lease obligation that is unrated,
the Fund's Board has directed the Manager to consider (a) whether the
lease can be cancelled; (b) what assurance there is that the assets
represented by the lease can be sold; (c) the strength of the lessee's
general credit (e.g., its debt, administrative, economic, and financial
characteristics); (d) the likelihood that the municipality will
discontinue appropriating funding for the leased property because the
property is no longer deemed essential to the operations of the
municipality (e.g., the potential for an "event of nonappropriation"); (e)
the legal recourse in the event of failure to appropriate; and (f) such
other factors concerning credit quality as the Manager may deem relevant.
The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in
lease obligations that are illiquid and in other illiquid securities.
The Fund will purchase tender option bonds only when it is satisfied
that the custodial and tender option arrangements, including the fee
payment arrangements, will not adversely affect the tax exempt status of
the underlying Municipal Obligations and that payment of any tender fees
will not have the effect of creating taxable income for the Fund. Based
on the tender option bond agreement, the Fund expects to be able to value
the tender option bond at par; however, the value of the instrument will
be monitored to assure that it is valued at fair value.
Illiquid Securities. If a substantial market of qualified
institutional buyers develops pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, for certain restricted securities held by the
Fund, the Fund intends to treat such securities as liquid securities in
accordance with procedures approved by the Fund's Board of Directors.
Because it is not possible to predict with assurance how the market for
restricted securities pursuant to Rule 144A will develop, the Fund's Board
of Directors has directed the Manager to monitor carefully the Fund's
investments in such securities with particular regard to trading activity,
availability of reliable price information and other relevant information.
To the extent that, for a period of time, qualified institutional buyers
cease purchasing restricted securities pursuant to Rule 144A, the Fund's
investing in such securities may have the effect of increasing the level
of illiquidity in its portfolio during such period.
Ratings of Municipal Obligations. Subsequent to its purchase by the
Fund, an issue of rated Municipal Obligations may cease to be rated or its
rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by the Fund.
Neither event will require the sale of such Municipal Obligations by the
Fund, but the Manager will consider such event in determining whether the
Fund should continue to hold the Municipal Obligations. To the extent
that the ratings given by Moody's, S&P or Fitch for Municipal Obligations
may change as a result of changes in such organizations or their rating
systems, the Fund will attempt to use comparable ratings as standards for
its investments in accordance with the investment policies contained in
the Fund's Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information. The
ratings of Moody's, S&P and Fitch represent their opinions as to the
quality of the Municipal Obligations which they undertake to rate. It
should be emphasized, however, that ratings are relative and subjective
and are not absolute standards of quality. Although these ratings may be
an initial criterion for selection of portfolio investments, the Manager
also will evaluate these securities.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Upon exercise of
an option on a futures contract, the writer of the option delivers to the
holder of the option the futures position and the accumulated balance in
the writer's futures margin account, which represents the amount by which
the market price of the futures contract exceeds, in the case of a call,
or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on
the futures contract. The potential loss related to the purchase of an
option on futures contracts is limited to the premium paid for the option
(plus transaction costs). Because the value of the option is fixed at the
time of sale, there are no daily cash payments to reflect changes in the
value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option does
change daily and that change would be reflected in the net asset value of
the Fund.
Lending Portfolio Securities. To a limited extent, the Fund may lend
its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial
institutions, provided it receives cash collateral which at all times is
maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value
of the securities loaned. By lending its portfolio securities, the Fund
can increase its income through the investment of the cash collateral.
For purposes of this policy, the Fund considers collateral consisting of
U.S. Government securities or irrevocable letters of credit issued by
banks whose securities meet the standards for investment by the Fund to be
the equivalent of cash. Such loans may not exceed 33-1/3% of the value of
the Fund's total assets. From time to time, the Fund may return to the
borrower or a third party which is unaffiliated with the Fund, and which
is acting as a "placing broker," a part of the interest earned from the
investment of collateral received for securities loaned.
The Securities and Exchange Commission currently requires that the
following conditions must be met whenever portfolio securities are loaned:
(1) the Fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral from the borrower;
(2) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value
of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (3) the Fund
must be able to terminate the loan at any time; (4) the Fund must receive
reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any interest or other
distributions payable on the loaned securities, and any increase in market
value; and (5) the Fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees in
connection with the loan. These conditions may be subject to future
modification.
Taxable Investments. Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government or its agencies or instrumentalities include U.S. Treasury
securities, which differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of
issuance. Treasury Bills have initial maturities of one year or less;
Treasury Notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury
Bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years. Some
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities, for example, Government National Mortgage Association
pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of
the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks,
by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such
as those issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association, by
discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain
obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and others, such as those
issued by the Student Loan Marketing Association, only by the credit of
the agency or instrumentality. These securities bear fixed, floating or
variable rates of interest. Principal and interest may fluctuate based on
generally recognized reference rates or the relationship of rates. While
the U.S. Government provides financial support to such U.S. Government-
sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it
will always do so, since it is not so obligated by law. The Fund will
invest in such securities only when it is satisfied that the credit risk
with respect to the issuer is minimal.
Commercial paper consists of short-term, unsecured promissory notes
issued to finance short-term credit needs.
Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates representing the
obligation of a bank to repay funds deposited with it for a specified
period of time.
Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking
institution for a specified period of time (in no event longer than seven
days) at a stated interest rate. Investments in time deposits generally
are limited to London branches of domestic banks that have total assets in
excess of one billion dollars. Time deposits which may be held by the
Fund will not benefit from insurance from the Bank Insurance Fund or the
Savings Association Insurance Fund administered by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation.
Bankers' acceptances are credit instruments evidencing the obligation
of a bank to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments
reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the drawer to pay the face
amount of the instrument upon maturity. Other short-term bank obligations
may include uninsured, direct obligations bearing fixed, floating or
variable interest rates.
Repurchase agreements involve the acquisition by the Fund of an
underlying debt instrument, subject to an obligation of the seller to
repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the instrument at a fixed price
usually not more than one week after its purchase. The Fund's custodian
or sub-custodian will have custody of, and will hold in a segregated
account, securities acquired by the Fund under a repurchase agreement.
Repurchase agreements are considered by the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission to be loans by the Fund. In an attempt to reduce the
risk of incurring a loss on a repurchase agreement, the Fund will enter
into repurchase agreements only with domestic banks with total assets in
excess of one billion dollars or primary government securities dealers
reporting to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, with respect to
securities of the type in which the Fund may invest, and will require that
additional securities be deposited with it if the value of the securities
purchased should decrease below resale price. The Manager will monitor on
an ongoing basis the value of the collateral to assure that it always
equals or exceeds the repurchase price. Certain costs may be incurred by
the Fund in connection with the sale of the securities if the seller does
not repurchase them in accordance with the repurchase agreement. In
addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the
seller of the securities, realization on the securities by the Fund may be
delayed or limited. The Fund will consider on an ongoing basis the
creditworthiness of the institutions with which it enters into repurchase
agreements.
Risk Factors
Investing in New York Municipal Obligations. Each investor should
consider carefully the special risks inherent in the Fund's investment in
New York Municipal Obligations. These risks result from the financial
condition of New York State, certain of its public bodies and
municipalities, and New York City. Beginning in early 1975, New York
State, New York City and other State entities faced serious financial
difficulties which jeopardized the credit standing and impaired the
borrowing abilities of such entities and contributed to high interest
rates on, and lower market prices for, debt obligations issued by them. A
recurrence of such financial difficulties or a failure of certain
financial recovery programs could result in defaults or declines in the
market values of various New York Municipal Obligations in which the Fund
may invest. If there should be a default or other financial crisis
relating to New York State, New York City, a State or City agency, or a
State municipality, the market value and marketability of outstanding New
York Municipal Obligations in the Fund's portfolio and the interest income
to the Fund could be adversely affected. Moreover, the significant
slowdown in the New York and regional economy in the early 1990s added
substantial uncertainty to estimates of the State's tax revenues, which,
in part, caused the State to overestimate its General Fund tax receipts
for the 1992 fiscal year by $575 million. The 1992 fiscal year was the
fourth consecutive year in which New York State incurred a cash-basis
operating deficit in the General Fund and issued deficit notes. The
State's 1993 and 1994 fiscal years, however, were characterized by
national and regional economies that performed better than projected.
After reflecting a 1993 year-end deposit to the refund reserve account of
$671 million, reported 1993 General Fund receipts were $45 million higher
than originally projected in April 1992. The State completed the 1994
fiscal year with an operating surplus in the General Fund of $914 million.
In September 1994, however, the State projected a General Fund operating
deficit of $690 million for the 1995 fiscal year. There can be no
assurance that New York will not face substantial potential budget gaps in
future years. In 1990, S&P and Moody's lowered their ratings of the
State's general obligation debt from AA- to A and from A1 to A,
respectively, and short-term notes from SP-1+ to SP-1 and from MIG-1 to
MIG-2, respectively. In January 1992, Moody's lowered from A to Baa1 the
ratings on certain appropriation-backed debt of New York State and its
agencies. New York State general obligation, State-guaranteed and New
York State Local Government Assistance Corporation bonds continue to be
rated A by Moody's. In addition, in January 1992, S&P lowered from A to
A- its ratings of New York State general obligation bonds and stated that
it continued to assess the ratings outlook as negative. The ratings of
various agency debt, State moral obligations, contractual obligations,
lease purchase obligations and State guarantees also were lowered. In
February 1991, Moody's lowered its rating on New York City's general
obligation bonds from A to Baa1. The rating changes reflected the rating
agencies' concerns about the financial condition of New York State and
City, the heavy debt load of the State and City, and economic
uncertainties in the region. Investors should review "Appendix A" which
more fully sets forth these and other risk factors.
Lower Rated Bonds. The Fund is permitted to invest in securities
rated below Baa by Moody's and below BBB by S&P and Fitch. Such bonds,
though higher yielding, are characterized by risk. See "Description of
the Fund--Risk Factors--Lower Rated Bonds" in the Prospectus for a
discussion of certain risks and "Appendix B" for a general description of
Moody's, S&P and Fitch ratings of Municipal Obligations. Although ratings
may be useful in evaluating the safety of interest and principal payments,
they do not evaluate the market value risk of these bonds. The Fund will
rely on the Manager's judgment, analysis and experience in evaluating the
creditworthiness of an issuer. In this evaluation, the Manager will take
into consideration, among other things, the issuer's financial resources,
its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, the quality of the
issuer's management and regulatory matters. It also is possible that a
rating agency might not timely change the rating on a particular issue to
reflect subsequent events. As stated above, once the rating of a bond in
the Fund's portfolio has been changed, the Manager will consider all
circumstances deemed relevant in determining whether the Fund should
continue to hold the bond.
Investors should be aware that the market values of many of these
bonds tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher
rated securities. These bonds generally are considered by Moody's, S&P
and Fitch to be predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay
interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the
obligation and generally will involve more credit risk than securities in
the higher rating categories.
Because there is no established retail secondary market for many of
these securities, the Fund anticipates that such securities could be sold
only to a limited number of dealers or institutional investors. To the
extent a secondary trading market for these bonds does exist, it generally
is not as liquid as the secondary market for higher rated securities. The
lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on market
price and yield and the Fund's ability to dispose of particular issues
when necessary to meet the Fund's liquidity needs or in response to a
specific economic event such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of
the issuer. The lack of a liquid secondary market for certain securities
also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market
quotations for purposes of valuing the Fund's portfolio and calculating
its net asset value. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether
or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and
liquidity of these securities. In such cases, judgment may play a greater
role in valuation because less reliable objective data may be available.
These bonds may be particularly susceptible to economic downturns.
It is likely that any economic recession could disrupt severely the market
for such securities and may have an adverse impact on the value of such
securities. In addition, it is likely that any such economic downturn
could adversely affect the ability of the issuers of such securities to
repay principal and pay interest thereon and increase the incidence of
default for such securities.
The Fund may acquire these bonds during an initial offering. Such
securities may involve special risks because they are new issues. The
Fund has no arrangement with the Distributor or any other persons
concerning the acquisition of such securities, and the Manager will review
carefully the credit and other characteristics pertinent to such new
issues.
Lower rated zero coupon securities and pay-in-kind bonds involve
special considerations. The credit risk factors pertaining to lower rated
securities also apply to lower rated zero coupon bonds and pay-in-kind
bonds. Such zero coupon, pay-in-kind or delayed interest bonds carry an
additional risk in that, unlike bonds which pay interest throughout the
period to maturity, the Fund will realize no cash until the cash payment
date unless a portion of such securities are sold and, if the issuer
defaults, the Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. See
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
Investment Restrictions. The Fund has adopted investment
restrictions numbered 1 through 7 as fundamental policies. Fundamental
policies cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority
(as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"))
of the Fund's outstanding voting shares. Investment restrictions numbered
8 through 12 are not fundamental policies and may be changed by vote of a
majority of the Directors at any time. The Fund may not:
1. Invest more than 25% of its assets in the securities of issuers
in any single industry; provided that there shall be no limitation on the
purchase of Municipal Obligations and, for temporary defensive purposes,
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities.
2. Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the Act. For
purposes of this investment restriction, the entry into options, forward
contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and
options on futures contracts or indices shall not constitute borrowing.
3. Purchase or sell real estate, commodities or commodity
contracts, or oil and gas interests, but this shall not prevent the Fund
from investing in Municipal Obligations secured by real estate or
interests therein, or prevent the Fund from purchasing and selling
options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to
indices, and options on futures contracts or indices.
4. Underwrite the securities of other issuers, except that the Fund
may bid separately or as part of a group for the purchase of Municipal
Obligations directly from an issuer for its own portfolio to take
advantage of the lower purchase price available, and except to the extent
the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities.
5. Make loans to others except through the purchase of debt
obligations and the entry into repurchase agreements; however, the Fund
may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed 33-1/3% of the
value of its total assets. Any loans of portfolio securities will be made
according to guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the Fund's Board of Directors.
6. Issue any senior security (as such term is defined in Section
18(f) of the Act), except to the extent that the activities permitted in
Investment Restriction Nos. 2, 3 and 10 may be deemed to give rise to a
senior security.
7. Sell securities short or purchase securities on margin, but the
Fund may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in options,
forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indexes,
and options on futures contracts or indexes.
8. Purchase securities other than Municipal Obligations and Taxable
Investments and those arising out of transactions in futures and options
or as otherwise provided in the Fund's Prospectus.
9. Invest in securities of other investment companies, except to
the extent permitted under the Act.
10. Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets,
except to the extent necessary to secure borrowings for temporary or
emergency purposes, and except to the extent related to the deposit of
assets in escrow in connection with the purchase of securities on a when-
issued or delayed-delivery basis and collateral and initial or variation
margin arrangements with respect to options, futures contracts, including
those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices.
11. Enter into repurchase agreements providing for settlement in
more than seven days after notice or purchase securities which are
illiquid (which securities could include participation interests
(including municipal lease/purchase agreements) that are not subject to
the demand feature described in the Fund's Prospectus, and floating and
variable rate demand obligations as to which the Fund cannot exercise the
demand feature described in the Fund's Prospectus on less than seven days'
notice and as to which there is no secondary market) if, in the aggregate,
more than 15% of its net assets would be so invested.
12. Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control.
For purposes of Investment Restriction No. 1, industrial development
bonds, where the payment of principal and interest is the ultimate
responsibility of companies within the same industry, are grouped together
as an "industry."
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment,
a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in
values or assets will not constitute a violation of such restriction.
The Fund may make commitments more restrictive than the restrictions
listed above so as to permit the sale of Fund shares in certain states.
Should the Fund determine that a commitment is no longer in the best
interest of the Fund and its shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to
revoke the commitment by terminating the sale of Fund shares in the state
involved.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Directors and officers of the Fund, together with information as to
their principal business occupations during at least the last five years,
are shown below.
Directors of the Fund
CLIFFORD L. ALEXANDER, JR., Director. President of Alexander &
Associates, Inc., a management consulting firm. From 1977 to 1981,
Mr. Alexander served as Secretary of the Army and Chairman of the
Board of the Panama Canal Company, and from 1975 to 1977, he was a
member of the Washington, D.C. law firm of Verner, Liipfert,
Bernhard, McPherson and Alexander. He is a director of American Home
Products Corporation, The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, Equitable
Resources, Inc., a producer and distributor of natural gas and crude
petroleum, MCI Communications Corporation and Mutual of America Life
Insurance Company. His address is 400 C Street, N.E., Washington,
D.C. 20002.
PEGGY C. DAVIS, Director. Professor of Law, New York University School of
Law. Professor Davis has been a member of the New York University
law faculty since 1983. Prior to that time, she served for three
years as a judge in the courts of New York State; was engaged for
eight years in the practice of law, working in both corporate and
non-profit sectors; and served for two years as a criminal justice
administrator in the government of the City of New York. She writes
and teaches in the fields of evidence, constitutional theory, family
law, social sciences and the law, legal process and professional
methodology and training. Her address is c/o New York University
School of Law, 249 Sullivan Street, New York, New York 10011.
ERNEST KAFKA, Director. A physician engaged in private practice
specializing in the psychoanalysis of adults and adolescents. Since
1981, he has served as an Instructor at the New York Psychoanalytic
Institute and, prior thereto, held other teaching positions. For
more than the past five years, Dr. Kafka has held numerous
administrative positions and has published many articles on subjects
in the field of psychoanalysis. His address is 23 East 92nd Street,
New York, New York 10128.
SAUL B. KLAMAN, Director. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SBK
Associates, which provides research and consulting services to
financial institutions. Dr. Klaman was President of the National
Association of Mutual Savings Banks until November 1983, President of
the National Council of Savings Institutions until June 1985, Vice
Chairman of Golembe Associates and BEI Golembe, Inc. until 1989 and
Chairman Emeritus of BEI Golembe, Inc. until November 1992. He also
served as an Economist to the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System and on several Presidential Commissions, and has held
numerous consulting and advisory positions in the fields of economics
and housing finance. His address is 431-B Dedham Street, The Gables,
Newton Center, Massachusetts 02159.
NATHAN LEVENTHAL, Director. President of Lincoln Center for the
Performing Arts, Inc. Mr. Leventhal was Deputy Mayor for Operations
of New York City from September 1979 to March 1984 and Commissioner
of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development of New York
City from February 1978 to September 1979. Mr. Leventhal was an
associate and then a member of the New York law firm of Poletti
Freidin Prashker Feldman and Gartner from 1974 to 1978. He was
Commissioner of Rent and Housing Maintenance for New York City from
1972 to 1973. Mr. Leventhal serves as Chairman of Citizens Union, an
organization which strives to reform and modernize City and State
government. His address is 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, New
York 10023-6583.
For so long as the Fund's plan described in the section captioned
"Service Plan" remains in effect, the Directors of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the Act, will be selected
and nominated by the Directors who are not "interested persons" of the
Fund.
Each of the "non-interested" Directors is also a director of Dreyfus
Appreciation Fund, Inc. General California Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.,
General Government Securities Money Market Fund, Inc., General Money
Market Fund, Inc., General Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., General Municipal
Money Market Fund, Inc. and Premier Growth Fund, Inc., and a trustee of
General California Municipal Money Market Fund, General New York Municipal
Money Market Fund, Premier California Municipal Bond Fund, Premier GNMA
Fund, Premier Insured Municipal Bond Fund, Premier Municipal Bond Fund,
Premier New York Municipal Bond Fund and Premier State Municipal Bond
Fund. Mr. Alexander is also a director of The Dreyfus Socially
Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. and The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.
The Fund does not pay any remuneration to its officers and Directors
other than fees and expenses to Directors who are not "interested persons"
(as defined in the Act) of the Fund, which totalled $26,033 during the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1994 for all such Directors as a group.
Officers of the Fund
MARIE E. CONNOLLY, President and Treasurer. President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Distributor and an officer of other investment
companies advised or administered by the Manager. From December 1991
to July 1994, she was President and Chief Compliance Officer of Funds
Distributor, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boston Company,
Inc. Prior to December 1991, she served as Vice President and
Controller, and later as Senior Vice President, of The Boston Company
Advisors.
JOHN E. PELLETIER, Vice President and Secretary. Senior Vice President
and General Counsel of the Distributor and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
February 1992 to July 1994, he served as Counsel for The Boston
Company Advisors, Inc. From August 1990 to February 1992, he was
employed as an Associate at Ropes & Gray, and prior to August 1990,
he was employed as an Associate at Sidley & Austin.
FREDERICK C. DEY, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Senior Vice
President of the Distributor and an officer of other investment
companies advised or administered by the Manager. From 1988 to
August 1994, he was Manager of the High Performance Fabric Division
of Springs Industries Inc.
ERIC B. FISCHMAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Associate
General Counsel of the Distributor and an officer of other investment
companies advised or administered by the Manager. From September
1992 to August 1994, he was an attorney with the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System.
JOSEPH S. TOWER, III, Assistant Treasurer. Senior Vice President,
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Distributor and an
officer of other investment companies advised or administered by the
Manager. From July 1988 to August 1994, he was employed by The
Boston Company, Inc. where he held various management positions in
the Corporate Finance and Treasury areas.
JOHN J. PYBURN, Assistant Treasurer. Vice President of the Distributor
and an officer of other investment companies advised or administered
by the Manager. From 1984 to July 1994, he was Assistant Vice
President in the Mutual Fund Accounting Department of the Manager.
PAUL FURCINITO, Assistant Secretary. Assistant Vice President of the
Distributor and an officer of other investment companies advised or
administered by the Manager. From January 1992 to July 1994, he was
a Senior Legal Product Manager for The Boston Company Advisors, Inc.,
and, from January 1990 to January 1992, a mutual fund accountant for
The Boston Company Advisors, Inc.
RUTH D. LEIBERT, Assistant Secretary. Assistant Vice President of the
Distributor and an officer of other investment companies advised or
administered by the Manager. From March 1992 to July 1994, she was a
Compliance Officer for The Managers Funds, a registered investment
company. From March 1990 until September 1991, she was Development
Director of The Rockland Center for the Arts, and prior thereto, was
employed as a Research Assistant for the Bureau of National Affairs.
The address of each officer of the Fund is 200 Park Avenue, New York,
New York 10166.
Directors and officers of the Fund, as a group, owned less than 1% of
the Fund's Common Stock outstanding on December 12, 1994.
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Management
of the Fund."
The Manager provides management services pursuant to the Management
Agreement (the "Agreement") dated August 24, 1994 with the Fund, which is
subject to annual approval by (i) the Fund's Board of Directors or (ii)
vote of a majority (as defined in the Act) of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund, provided that in either event the continuance also
is approved by a majority of the Directors who are not "interested
persons" (as defined in the Act) of the Fund or the Manager, by vote cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
The Agreement was approved by shareholders at a meeting held on August 3,
1994, and was last approved by the Fund's Board of Directors, including a
majority of the Directors who are not "interested persons" of any party to
the Agreement, at a meeting held on September 28, 1994. The Agreement is
terminable without penalty, on 60 days' notice, by the Fund's Board of
Directors or by vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's shares,
or, on not less than 90 days' notice, by the Manager. The Agreement will
terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the
Act).
The following persons are officers and/or directors of the Manager:
Howard Stein, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer; Julian M.
Smerling, Vice Chairman of the Board; Joseph S. DiMartino, President and
Director; Lawrence S. Kash, Vice Chairman-Distribution; W. Keith Smith,
Chief Operating Officer and Director; Philip L. Toia, Vice Chairman-
Operations and Administration; Paul H. Snyder, Vice President-Finance and
Chief Financial Officer; Barbara E. Casey, Vice President-Dreyfus
Retirement Services; Diane M. Coffey, Vice President-Corporate
Communications; Jay R. DeMartine, Vice President-Retail Marketing; Elie M.
Genadry, Vice President-Institutional Sales; Henry D. Gottmann, Vice
President-Retail Sales and Service; Mark N. Jacobs, Vice President-Legal
and Secretary; Daniel C. Maclean, Vice President and General Counsel;
Jeffrey N. Nachman, Vice President-Mutual Fund Accounting; Katherine C.
Wickham, Vice President-Human Resources; Maurice Bendrihem Controller;
Christine Pavalos, Assistant Secretary; and Mandell L. Berman, Frank V.
Cahouet, Alvin E. Friedman, Lawrence M. Greene and David B. Truman,
directors.
The Manager manages the Fund's portfolio of investments in accordance
with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the approval of the
Fund's Board of Directors. The Manager is responsible for investment
decisions and provides the Fund with portfolio managers who are authorized
by the Board of Directors to execute purchases and sales of securities.
The Fund's portfolio managers are Richard J. Moynihan, Joseph P. Darcy, A.
Paul Disdier, Karen M. Hand, Stephen C. Kris, Jill C. Shaffro, L. Lawrence
Troutman, Samuel J. Weinstock and Monica S. Wieboldt. The Manager also
maintains a research department with a professional staff of portfolio
managers and securities analysts who provide research services for the
Fund as well as for other funds advised by the Manager. All purchases and
sales are reported for the Board's review at the meeting subsequent to
such transactions.
All expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund are borne by the
Fund, except to the extent specifically assumed by the Manager. The
expenses borne by the Fund include, without limitation: taxes, interest,
loan commitment fees, interest and distributions paid on securities sold
short, brokerage fees and commissions, if any, fees of Directors who are
not officers, directors, employees or holders of 5% or more of the
outstanding voting securities of the Manager, Securities and Exchange Com-
mission fees, state Blue Sky qualification fees, advisory fees, charges of
custodians, transfer and dividend disbursing agents' fees, certain
insurance premiums, industry association fees, outside auditing and legal
expenses, costs of maintaining corporate existence, costs of independent
pricing services, costs attributable to investor services (including,
without limitation, telephone and personnel expenses), costs of preparing
and printing prospectuses and statements of additional information for
regulatory purposes and for distribution in existing shareholders, costs
of shareholders' reports and any extraordinary expenses, and costs
associated with implementing and operating such plan. See "Service Plan."
The Manager maintains office facilities on behalf of the Fund, and
furnishes statistical and research data, clerical help, accounting, data
processing, bookkeeping and internal auditing and certain other required
services to the Fund. The Manager also may make such advertising and
promotional expenditures, using its own resources, as it from time to time
deems appropriate.
The Manager has agreed that if in any fiscal year the aggregate
expenses of the Fund, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on
borrowings and (with the prior written consent of the necessary state
securities commissions) extraordinary expenses, but including the
management fee, exceed 1-1/2% of the value of the Fund's average net assets
for that fiscal year, the Fund may deduct from the payment to be made to
the Manager under the Agreement, or the Manager will bear, such excess
expense. Such deduction or payment, if any, will be estimated daily, and
reconciled and effected or paid, as the case may be, on a monthly basis.
As compensation for the Manager's services, the Fund has agreed to
pay the Manager a monthly management fee at the annual rate of .60 of 1%
of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets. For the fiscal years
ended October 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994, the management fees payable
amounted to $1,566,544, $2,214,742 and $2,150,206, respectively, which
amounts were reduced by $1,029,723, $810,067 and $44,0853, respectively,
pursuant to undertakings in effect, resulting in net fees paid to the
Manager of $536,821 in fiscal 1992, $1,404,675 in fiscal 1993 and
$1,709,353 in fiscal 1994.
The aggregate of the fees payable to the Manager is not subject to
reduction as the value of the Fund's net assets increases.
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "How to Buy
Fund Shares."
The Distributor. The Distributor serves as the Fund's distributor
pursuant to an agreement dated August 24, 1994. The Distributor also acts
as distributor for the other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds and for
certain other investment companies.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. Dreyfus TeleTransfer purchase orders
may be made between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., New York time,
on any business day that The Shareholder Services Group, Inc., the Fund's
transfer and dividend disbursing agent (the "Transfer Agent"), and the New
York Stock Exchange are open. Such purchases will be credited to the
shareholder's Fund account on the next bank business day. To qualify to
use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege, the initial payment for purchase
of Fund shares must be drawn on, and redemption proceeds paid to, the same
bank and account as are designated on the Account Application or
Shareholder Services Form on file. If the proceeds of a particular
redemption are to be wired to an account at any other bank, the request
must be in writing and signature-guaranteed. See "Redemption of Fund
Shares--Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege."
Reopening an Account. An investor may reopen an account with a
minimum investment of $100 without filing a new Account Application during
the calendar year the account is closed or during the following calendar
year, provided the information on the old Account Application is still
applicable.
SERVICE PLAN
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Service
Plan."
Service Plan. Rule 12b-1 (the "Rule") adopted by the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Act provides, among other things, that an
investment company may bear expenses of distributing its shares only
pursuant to a plan adopted in accordance with the Rule. Because some or
all of the fees paid by the Fund for advertising or marketing the Fund's
shares and the fees paid to securities dealers, certain financial
institutions (which may include banks) or other industry professionals
such as investment advisers, accountants and estate planning firms
(collectively, "Service Agents") could be deemed to be payment of
distribution expenses, the Fund's Board of Directors has adopted such a
plan (the "Plan"). The Fund's Board of Directors believes that there is a
reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Fund and its
shareholders. In some states, certain financial institutions effecting
transactions in Fund shares may be required to register as dealers
pursuant to state law.
A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Plan, and the
purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made to the
Directors for their review. In addition, the Plan provides that it may
not be amended to increase materially the costs which the Fund may bear
for distribution pursuant to the Plan without shareholder approval and
that other material amendments of the Plan must be approved by the Board
of Directors, and by the Directors who neither are "interested persons"
(as defined in the Act) of the Fund nor have any direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in the related service
agreements, by vote of the Directors cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of considering such amendments. The Plan and the related
service agreements are subject to annual approval by such vote of the
Directors cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
the Plan. The Plan was so approved by the Board of Directors at a meeting
held on September 28, 1994. The Plan is terminable at any time by vote of
a majority of the Directors who are not "interested persons" and have no
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in
any of the related service agreements or by vote of a majority of the
Fund's shares. Any service agreement is terminable without penalty, at
any time, by such vote of the Directors or, upon not more than 60 days'
written notice to the Service Agent, by vote of the holders of a majority
of the Fund's shares, or, upon 15 days' notice by the Distributor. Each
service agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its
assignment (as defined in the Act).
For the period from November 1, 1993 through August 23, 1994, the
Fund paid Dreyfus Service Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Manager and the Fund's distributor during such period, $606,032 pursuant
to the Plan, of which $592,543 represented expenditures related to
advertising, marketing, and distributing the Fund's shares and servicing
Fund shareholders. In addition, the Fund paid $13,489 for printing the
Fund's prospectuses and statements of additional information. For the
period from August 24, 1994 through October 31, 1994, the Fund reimbursed
the Distributor $126,661 for (a) payments made to Service Agents for
distributing Fund shares and servicing shareholder accounts, and (b) paid
the Manager, Dreyfus Service Corporation and their affiliates of either of
them, $124,192 for advertising and marketing Fund shares and for servicing
shareholder accounts. In addition, the Fund paid $2,469 for printing the
Fund's prospectuses and statements of additional information as well as
implementing and operating the Plan.
REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "How to
Redeem Fund Shares."
Check Redemption Privilege. An investor may indicate on the Account
Application or by later written request that the Fund provide Redemption
Checks ("Checks") drawn on the Fund's account. Checks will be sent only
to the registered owner(s) of the account and only to the address of
record. The Account Application or later written request must be manually
signed by the registered owner(s). Checks may be made payable to the
order of any person in an amount of $500 or more. When a Check is
presented to the Transfer Agent for payment, the Transfer Agent, as the
investor's agent, will cause the Fund to redeem a sufficient number of
full or fractional shares in the investor's account to cover the amount of
the Check. Dividends are earned until the Check clears. After clearance,
a copy of the Check will be returned to the investor. Investors generally
will be subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to checking
accounts, although election of this Privilege creates only a
shareholder-transfer agent relationship with the Transfer Agent.
If the amount of the Check is greater than the value of the shares in
an investor's account, the Check will be returned marked insufficient
funds. Checks should not be used to close an account.
Wire Redemption Privilege. By using this Privilege, the investor
authorizes the Transfer Agent to act on wire or telephone redemption
instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be the
investor, or a representative of the investor's Service Agent, and
reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Ordinarily, the
Fund will initiate payment for shares redeemed pursuant to this Privilege
on the next business day after receipt if the Transfer Agent receives the
redemption request in proper form. Redemption proceeds will be
transferred by Federal Reserve wire only to the commercial bank account
specified by the investor on the Account Application or Shareholder
Services Form. Redemption proceeds, if wired, must be in the amount of
$1,000 or more and will be wired to the investor's account at the bank of
record designated in the investor's file at the Transfer Agent, if the
investor's bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System, or to a
correspondent bank if the investor's bank is not a member. Fees
ordinarily are imposed by such bank and usually are borne by the investor.
Immediate notification by the correspondent bank to the investor's bank is
necessary to avoid a delay in crediting the funds to the investor's bank
account.
Investors with access to telegraphic equipment may wire redemption
requests to the Transfer Agent by employing the following transmittal code
which may be used for domestic or overseas transmission:
Transfer Agent's
Transmittal Code Answer Back Sign
________________ ________________
144295 144295 TSSG PREP
Investors who do not have direct access to telegraphic equipment may
have the wire transmitted by contacting a TRT Cables operator at 1-800-
654-7171, toll free. Investors should advise the operator that the above
transmittal code must be used and should also inform the operator of the
Transfer Agent's answer back sign.
To change the commercial bank or account designated to receive
redemption proceeds, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent.
This request must be signed by each shareholder, with each signature
guaranteed as described below under "Stock Certificates; Signatures."
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. Investors should be aware that if
they have selected the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege, any request for a
wire redemption will be effected as a Dreyfus TeleTransfer transaction
through the Automated Clearing House ("ACH") system unless more prompt
transmittal specifically is requested. Redemption proceeds will be on
deposit in the investor's account at an ACH member bank ordinarily two
business days after receipt of the redemption request. See "Purchase of
Fund Shares--Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege."
Stock Certificates; Signatures. Any certificates representing Fund
shares to be redeemed must be submitted with the redemption request.
Written redemption requests must be signed by each shareholder, including
each holder of a joint account, and each signature must be guaranteed.
Signatures on endorsed certificates submitted for redemption also must be
guaranteed. The Transfer Agent has adopted standards and procedures
pursuant to which signature-guarantees in proper form generally will be
accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national
securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing
agencies and savings associations, as well as from participants in the New
York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program, the Securities Transfer
Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP"), and the Stock Exchanges Medallion
Program. Guarantees must be signed by an authorized signatory of the
guarantor and "Signature-Guaranteed" must appear with the signature. The
Transfer Agent may request additional documentation from corporations,
executors, administrators, trustees or guardians, and may accept other
suitable verification arrangements from foreign investors, such as
consular verification. For more information with respect to signature-
guarantees, please call one of the telephone numbers listed on the cover.
Redemption Commitment. The Fund has committed itself to pay in cash
all redemption requests by any shareholder of record, limited in amount
during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value of
the Fund's net assets at the beginning of such period. Such commitment is
irrevocable without the prior approval of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. In the case of requests for redemption in excess of such
amount, the Board of Directors reserves the right to make payments in
whole or in part in securities or other assets of the Fund in case of an
emergency or any time a cash distribution would impair the liquidity of
the Fund to the detriment of the existing shareholders. In such event,
the securities would be valued in the same manner as the Fund's portfolio
is valued. If the recipient sold such securities, brokerage charges would
be incurred.
Suspension of Redemptions. The right of redemption may be suspended
or the date of payment postponed (a) during any period when the New York
Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday
closings), (b) when trading in the markets the Fund ordinarily utilizes is
restricted, or when an emergency exists as determined by the Securities
and Exchange Commission so that disposal of the Fund's investments or
determination of its net asset value is not reasonably practicable, or (c)
for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission by order
may permit to protect the Fund's shareholders.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled
"Shareholder Services."
Fund Exchanges. Shares of other funds purchased by exchange will be
purchased on the basis of relative net asset value per share as follows:
A. Exchanges for shares of funds that are offered without a sales
load will be made without a sales load.
B. Shares of funds purchased without a sales load may be exchanged
for shares of other funds sold with a sales load, and the
applicable sales load will be deducted.
C. Shares of funds purchased with a sales load may be exchanged
without a sales load for shares of other funds sold without a
sales load.
D. Shares of funds purchased with a sales load, shares of funds
acquired by a previous exchange from shares purchased with a
sales load and additional shares acquired through reinvestment
of dividends or distributions of any such funds (collectively
referred to herein as "Purchased Shares") may be exchanged for
shares of other funds sold with a sales load (referred to herein
as "Offered Shares"), provided that, if the sales load
applicable to the Offered Shares exceeds the maximum sales load
that could have been imposed in connection with the Purchased
Shares (at the time the Purchased Shares were acquired), without
giving effect to any reduced loads, the difference will be
deducted.
To accomplish an exchange under item D above, shareholders must
notify the Transfer Agent of their prior ownership of fund shares and
their account number.
To request an exchange, an investor, or an investor's Service Agent
acting on the investor's behalf, must give exchange instructions to the
Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone. The ability to issue exchange
instructions by telephone is given to all Fund shareholders automatically,
unless the investor checks the relevant "NO" box on the Account
Application, indicating that the investor specifically refuses this
Privilege. By using the Telephone Exchange Privilege, the investor
authorizes the Transfer Agent to act on telephonic instructions from any
person representing himself or herself to be the investor or a
representative of the investor's Service Agent, and reasonably believed by
the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Telephone exchanges may be subject to
limitations as to the amount involved or the number of telephone exchanges
permitted. Shares issued in certificate form are not eligible for
telephone exchanges.
To establish a Personal Retirement Plan by exchange, shares of the
fund being exchanged must have a value of at least the minimum initial
investment required for the fund into which the exchange is being made.
For Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs and IRAs set up under a Simplified
Employee Pension Plan ("SEP-IRAs") with only one participant, the minimum
initial investment is $750. To exchange shares held in corporate plans,
403(b)(7) Plans and SEP-IRAs with more than one participant, the minimum
initial investment is $100 if the plan has at least $2,500 invested among
the funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. To exchange shares held in
Personal Retirement Plans, the shares exchanged must have a current value
of at least $100.
Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege. Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege
permits an investor to purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund,
shares of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. This Privilege is
available only for existing accounts. Shares will be exchanged on the
basis of relative net asset value as described above under "Fund
Exchanges." Enrollment in or modification or cancellation of this
Privilege is effective three business days following notification by the
investor. An investor will be notified if his account falls below the
amount designated to be exchanged under this Privilege. In this case, an
investor's account will fall to zero unless additional investments are
made in excess of the designated amount prior to the next Auto-Exchange
transaction. Shares held under IRA and other retirement plans are
eligible for this Privilege. Exchanges of IRA shares may be made between
IRA accounts and from regular accounts to IRA accounts, but not from IRA
accounts to regular accounts. With respect to all other retirement
accounts, exchanges may be made only among those accounts.
Fund Exchanges and the Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege are available
to shareholders resident in any state in which shares of the fund being
acquired may legally be sold. Shares may be exchanged only between
accounts having identical names and other identifying designations.
Shareholder Services Forms and prospectuses of the other funds may be
obtained by calling 1-800-645-6561. The Fund reserves the right to reject
any exchange request in whole or in part. The Fund Exchanges service or
Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege may be modified or terminated at any time
upon notice to shareholders.
Automatic Withdrawal Plan. The Automatic Withdrawal Plan permits an
investor with a $5,000 minimum account to request withdrawal of a
specified dollar amount (minimum of $50) on either a monthly or quarterly
basis. Withdrawal payments are the proceeds from sales of Fund shares,
not the yield on the shares. If withdrawal payments exceed reinvested
dividends and distributions, the investor's shares will be reduced and
eventually may be depleted. There is a service charge of $.50 for each
withdrawal check. Automatic Withdrawal may be terminated at any time by
the investor, the Fund or the Transfer Agent. Shares for which stock
certificates have been issued may not be redeemed through the Automatic
Withdrawal Plan.
Dreyfus Dividend Sweep. Dreyfus Dividend Sweep allows investors to
invest on the payment date their dividends or dividends and capital gain
distributions, if any, from the Fund in shares of another fund in the
Dreyfus Family of Funds of which the investor is a shareholder. Shares of
other funds purchased pursuant to this privilege will be purchased on the
basis of relative net asset value per share as follows:
A. Dividends and distributions paid by a fund may be invested
without imposition of a sales load in shares of other funds that
are offered without a sales load.
B. Dividends and distributions paid by a fund which does not charge
a sales load may be invested in shares of other funds sold with
a sales load, and the applicable sales load will be deducted.
C. Dividends and distributions paid by a fund which charges a sales
load may be invested in shares of other funds sold with a sales
load (referred to herein as "Offered Shares"), provided that, if
the sales load applicable to the Offered Shares exceeds the
maximum sales load charged by the fund from which dividends or
distributions are being swept, without giving effect to any
reduced loads the difference will be deducted.
D. Dividends and distributions paid by a fund may be invested in
shares of other funds that impose a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC") and the applicable CDSC, if any, will be imposed
upon redemption of such shares.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "How to Buy
Fund Shares."
Valuation of Portfolio Securities. The Fund's investments are valued
by an independent pricing service (the "Service") approved by the Board of
Directors. When, in the judgment of the Service, quoted bid prices for
investments are readily available and are representative of the bid side
of the market, these investments are valued at the mean between the quoted
bid prices (as obtained by the Service from dealers in such securities)
and asked prices (as calculated by the Service based upon its evaluation
of the market for such securities). Other investments (which constitute a
majority of the portfolio securities) are carried at fair value as
determined by the Service, based on methods which include consideration
of: yields or prices of municipal bonds of comparable quality, coupon,
maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general
market conditions. The Service may employ electronic data processing
techniques and/or a matrix system to determine valuations. The Service's
procedures are reviewed by the Fund's officers under the general
supervision of the Board of Directors. Expenses and fees, including the
management fee (reduced by the expense limitation, if any) and fees
pursuant to the Service Plan, are accrued daily and are taken into account
for the purpose of determining the net asset value of Fund shares.
New York Stock Exchange Closings. The holidays (as observed) on
which the New York Stock Exchange is closed currently are: New Year's
Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor
Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Portfolio securities ordinarily are purchased from and sold to
parties acting as either principal or agent. Newly-issued securities
ordinarily are purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter;
other purchases and sales usually are placed with those dealers from which
it appears that the best price or execution will be obtained. Usually no
brokerage commissions, as such, are paid by the Fund for such purchases
and sales, although the price paid usually includes an undisclosed
compensation to the dealer acting as agent. The prices paid to
underwriters of newly-issued securities usually include a concession paid
by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases of after-market securities
from dealers ordinarily are executed at a price between the bid and asked
price. No brokerage commissions have been paid by the Fund to date.
Transactions are allocated to various dealers by the Fund's portfolio
managers in their best judgment. The primary consideration is prompt and
effective execution of orders at the most favorable price. Subject to
that primary consideration, dealers may be selected for research,
statistical or other services to enable the Manager to supplement its own
research and analysis with the views and information of other securities
firms.
Research services furnished by brokers through which the Fund effects
securities transactions may be used by the Manager in advising other funds
it advises and, conversely, research services furnished to the Manager by
brokers in connection with other funds the Manager advises may be used by
the Manager in advising the Fund. Although it is not possible to place a
dollar value on these services, it is the opinion of the Manager that the
receipt and study of such services should not reduce the overall expenses
of its research department.
The Fund's portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended
October 31, 1993 and 1994 was 23.46% and 24.56%, respectively. The Fund
anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate generally will not
exceed 100%, but the turnover rate will not be a limiting factor when the
Fund deems it desirable to sell or purchase securities. Therefore,
depending upon market conditions, the Fund's annual portfolio turnover
rate may exceed 100% in particular years.
The amount of transactions during the fiscal year ended October 31,
1994 in newly issued debt instruments in fixed price public offerings
directed to an underwriter or underwriters in consideration of, among
other things, research services provided was $ .
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes."
Management believes that the Fund has qualified as a "regulated
investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1994, and the Fund
intends to continue to so qualify if such qualification is in the best
interests of its shareholders. As a regulated investment company, the
Fund will pay no Federal income tax on net investment income and net
realized capital gains to the extent that such income and gains are
distributed to shareholders in accordance with applicable provisions of
the Code. To qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must
distribute at least 90% of its net income (consisting of net investment
income from tax exempt obligations and taxable income other than net
capital gains) to its shareholders, must derive less than 30% of its
annual gross income from gain on the sale of securities held for less than
three months and must meet certain asset diversification and other
requirements. Accordingly, the Fund may be restricted in the selling of
securities held for less than three months and in the utilization of
certain of the investment techniques described in the Prospectus under
"Description of the Fund--Investment Techniques." The Code, however,
allows the Fund to net certain offsetting positions, making it easier for
the Fund to satisfy the 30% test. The term "regulated investment company"
does not imply the supervision of management or investment practices or
policies by any government agency.
Any dividend or distribution paid shortly after an investor's
purchase may have the effect of reducing the net asset value of his shares
below the cost of his investment. Such a distribution would be a return
on the investment in an economic sense although taxable as stated in
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" in the Prospectus. In addition, the
Code provides that if a shareholder has not held his Fund shares for more
than six months (or such shorter period as the Internal Revenue Service
may prescribe by regulation) and has received an exempt-interest dividend
with respect to such shares, any loss incurred on the sale of such shares
will be disallowed to the extent of the exempt-interest dividend received.
Ordinarily, gains and losses realized from portfolio transactions
will be treated as capital gains or losses. However, all or a portion of
any gains realized from the sale or other disposition of certain market
discount bonds will be treated as ordinary income under Section 1276 of
the Code. In addition, all or a portion of the gain realized from
engaging in "conversion transactions" may be treated as ordinary income
under Section 1258 of the Code. "Conversion transactions" are defined to
include certain forward, futures, option and "straddle" transaction,
transactions marketed or sold to produce capital gains, or transactions
described in Treasury regulations to be issued in the future.
Under Section 1256 of the Code, gain or loss the Fund realizes from
certain futures and options transactions will be treated as 60% long-term
capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Gain or
loss will arise upon exercise or lapse of such futures and options as well
as from closing transactions. In addition, any such futures or options
remaining unexercised at the end of the Fund's taxable year will be
treated as sold for their then fair market value, resulting in additional
gain or loss to the Fund characterized in the manner described above.
Offsetting positions held by the Fund involving certain futures and
options transactions may be considered, for tax purposes, to constitute
"straddles." "Straddles" are defined to include "offsetting positions" in
actively traded personal property. The tax treatment of "straddles" is
governed by Sections 1092 and 1258 of the Code, which, in certain
circumstances, overrides or modifies the provisions of Section 1256 of the
Code. As such, all or a portion of any short- or long-term capital gain
from certain "straddle" transactions may be recharacterized to ordinary
income.
If the Fund were treated as entering into "straddles" by reason of
its engaging in certain futures or options transactions, such "straddles"
could be characterized as "mixed straddles" if the futures or options
transactions comprising a part of such "straddles" were governed by
Section 1256 of the Code. The Fund may make one or more elections with
respect to "mixed straddles." Depending on which election is made, if
any, the results to the Fund may differ. To the extent the "straddle"
rules apply to positions established by the Fund, losses realized by the
Fund will be deferred to the extent of unrealized gain in the offsetting
position. Moreover, as a result of the "straddle" and conversion
transaction rules, short-term capital losses on "straddle" positions may
be recharacterized as long-term capital losses, and long-term capital
gains may be treated as short-term capital gains or ordinary income.
Investment by the Fund in securities issued at a discount or
providing for deferred interest or for payment of interest in the form of
additional obligations could, under special tax rules, affect the amount,
timing and character of distributions to shareholders. For example, the
Fund could be required to take into account annually a portion of the
discount (or deemed discount) at which such securities were issued and to
distribute such portion in order to maintain its qualification as a
regulated investment company. In such case, the Fund may have to dispose
of securities which it might otherwise have continued to hold in order to
generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled
"Performance Information."
The Fund's current yield for the 30-day period ended October 31, 1994
was 5.97%. The Fund's yield reflects the waiver of a portion of the
management fee without which the Fund's yield for the 30-day period ended
October 31, 1994 would have been 5.87%. Current yield is computed
pursuant to a formula which operates as follows: The amount of the Fund's
expenses accrued for the 30-day period (net of reimbursements) is
subtracted from the amount of the dividends and interest earned (computed
in accordance with regulatory requirements) by the Fund during the period.
That result is then divided by the product of: (a) the average daily
number of shares outstanding during the period that were entitled to
receive dividends, and (b) the net asset value per share on the last day
of the period less any undistributed earned income per share reasonably
expected to be declared as a dividend shortly thereafter. The quotient is
then added to 1, and that sum is raised to the 6th power, after which 1 is
subtracted. The current yield is then arrived at by multiplying the
result by 2.
Based upon a combined 1994 Federal, New York State and New York City
effective tax rate of 47.05%, the Fund's tax equivalent yield for the
30-day period ended October 31, 1994 was 11.27 %. Without the waiver of a
portion of the management fee then in effect, the Fund's 30-day tax
equivalent yield for the period ended October 31, 1994 would have been
11.09%. Tax equivalent yield is computed by dividing that portion of the
current yield (calculated as described above) which is tax exempt by 1
minus a stated tax rate and adding the quotient to that portion, if any,
of the yield of the Fund that is not tax exempt.
The tax equivalent yield noted above represents the application of
the highest Federal, New York State and New York City marginal personal
income tax rates presently in effect. For Federal personal income tax
purposes, a 39.60% tax rate has been used. For New York State personal
income tax purposes, a 7.875% tax rate has been used. For New York City
personal income tax purposes, a 4.46% tax rate has been used. The tax
equivalent figure, however, does not reflect the potential effect of any
local (including, but not limited to, county, district or city, other than
New York City) taxes, including applicable surcharges. In addition, there
may be pending legislation which could affect such stated tax rates or
yields. Each investor should consult its tax adviser, and consider its
own factual circumstances and applicable tax laws, in order to ascertain
the relevant tax equivalent yield.
The Fund's average annual total return for the 1, 5 and 9.951 year
periods ended October 31, 1994 was -6.59%, 7.65% and 8.11%, respectively.
Average annual total return is calculated by determining the ending
redeemable value of an investment purchased with a hypothetical $1,000
payment made at the beginning of the period (assuming the reinvestment of
dividends and distributions), dividing by the amount of the initial
investment, taking the "n"th root of the quotient (where "n" is the number
of years in the period) and subtracting 1 from the result.
The Fund's total return for the period from November 19, 1984 to
October 31, 1994 was 117.24%. Total return is calculated by subtracting
the amount of the Fund's net asset value per share at the beginning of a
stated period from the net asset value per share at the end of the period
(after giving effect to the reinvestment of dividends and distributions
during the period), and dividing the result by the net asset value per
share at the beginning of the period.
Certain performance figures set forth above are for periods when the
Fund's investment restrictions were different from what they are as of the
date hereof. See "Information About the Fund."
From time to time, the Fund may use hypothetical tax equivalent
yields or charts in its advertising. These hypothetical yields or charts
will be used for illustrative purposes only and not as representative of
the Fund's past or future performance.
From time to time, advertising materials for the Fund may refer to or
discuss then-current or past economic conditions, developments and/or
events, including those relating to or arising from actual or proposed tax
legislation. From time to time, advertising materials for the Fund also
may refer to statistical or other information concerning trends relating
to investment companies, as compiled by industry associations such as the
Investment Company Institute. From time to time, advertising materials
for the Fund also may refer to Morningstar ratings and related analysis
supporting such rating.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "General
Information."
Each Fund share has one vote and, when issued and paid for in
accordance with the terms of the offering, is fully paid and
non-assessable. Fund shares are of one class and have equal rights as to
dividends and liquidation. Shares have no preemptive, subscription or
conversion rights and are freely transferable.
The Fund sends annual and semi-annual financial statements to all its
shareholders.
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT, COUNSEL
AND INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Bank of New York, 110 Washington Street, New York, New York
10286, is the Fund's custodian. The Shareholder Services Group, Inc., a
subsidiary of First Data Corporation, P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode
Island 02940-9671, is the Fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent.
Neither The Bank of New York nor The Shareholder Services Group, Inc., has
any part in determining the investment policies of the Fund or which
securities are to be purchased or sold by the Fund.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, 7 Hanover Square, New York, New York
10004-2696, as counsel for the Fund, has rendered its opinion as to
certain legal matters regarding the due authorization and valid issuance
of the shares of Common Stock being sold pursuant to the Fund's
Prospectus.
Ernst & Young LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019,
independent auditors, have been selected as auditors of the Fund.
APPENDIX A
RISK FACTORS--INVESTING IN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS
The financial condition of New York State (the "State") and certain
of its public bodies (the "Agencies") and municipalities, particularly New
York City (the "City"), could affect the market values and marketability
of New York Municipal Obligations which may be held by the Fund. The
following information constitutes only a brief summary, does not purport
to be a complete description, and is based on information drawn from
official statements relating to securities offerings of the State, the
City and the Municipal Assistance Corporation for the City of New York
("MAC") available as of the date of this Statement of Additional
Information. While the Fund has not independently verified such
information, it has no reason to believe that such information is not
correct in all material respects.
A national recession commenced in mid-1990. The downturn continued
through the remainder of the 1990-91 fiscal year, and was followed by a
period of weak economic growth during the remainder of the 1991 calendar
year. For the calendar year 1992, the national economy continued to
recover, although at a rate below all post-war recoveries. The recession
was more severe in the State than in other parts of the nation, owing to a
significant retrenchment in the financial services industry, cutbacks in
defense spending, and an overbuilt real estate market. The State economy
remained in recession until 1993, when employment growth resumed. Since
early 1993, the State has gained approximately 100,000 jobs. The State's
economic forecast calls for employment to increase in 1994 and 1995.
Employment growth will moderate in 1995 when the pace of national economic
growth is projected to slacken and entire industries adjust to changing
markets and the State's economy absorbs the full impact of these
developments. Personal income is estimated to increase by 5.3% in 1994,
and a more moderate rate in 1995.
The State's budget for the 1994-95 fiscal year was enacted by the
Legislature on June 7, 1994, more than two months after the start of the
fiscal year. Prior to adoption of the budget, the Legislature enacted
appropriations for disbursements considered to be necessary for State
operations and other purposes, including all necessary appropriations for
debt service. The State Financial Plan for 1994-95 fiscal year was
formulated on June 16, 1994 and is based on the State's budget as enacted
by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor.
The State Financial Plan is based upon forecasts of national and
State economic activity. Economic forecasts have frequently failed to
predict accurately the timing and magnitude of changes in the national and
the State economies. Many uncertainties exist in forecasts of both the
national and State economies, including consumer attitudes toward
spending, Federal financial and monetary policies, the availability of
credit and the condition of the world economy, which could have an adverse
effect on the State. There can be no assurance that the State economy
will not experience worse-than-predicted results in the 1994-95 fiscal
year, with corresponding material and adverse effects on the State's
projections of receipts and disbursements.
The State issued its first update to the GAAP-basis Financial Plan
for the State's 1994-95 fiscal year on September 1, 1994. In the
September GAAP-basis update, the Division of the Budget projected a
General Fund Operating deficit of $690 million. The prior projection of
the 1994-95 GAAP-basis State Financial Plan, issued in February 1994 as
part of the 1994-95 Executive Budget (the "February 1994 Projection"),
projected an operating surplus in the General Fund of $7 million.
In the February 1994 projection, General Fund operating results over
the 1993-94 and 1994-95 fiscal year projection period were anticipated to
reduce the accumulated deficit by $256 million. The impact of the
reported results for the State's 1993-94 fiscal year and the revised
projection on the accumulated deficit is substantially the same.
Combining the $914 million operating surplus for the State's 1993-94
fiscal year with the projected $690 million operating deficit for the
1994-95 fiscal year results in an anticipated $224 million reduction in
the accumulated deficit.
Total revenues in the General Fund are projected at $32.825 billion,
consisting of $30.783 billion in tax revenues and $2.042 billion in
miscellaneous revenue. Personal income tax revenue is projected to reach
$17.712 billion, or nearly 58% of total tax revenue. User taxes and fees
are projected to total $6.561 billion, or nearly 21% of total taxes.
Business taxes are projected at $5.442 billion, or 18%, while revenue from
other taxes is projected at $1.068 billion or 3% of total tax revenue.
Total expenditures in the General Fund are projected at $33.633 billion,
including $23.778 billion for grants to local governments, $8.033 billion
for State operations, $1.807 billion for general State charges, and $15
million for debt service. Compared to the projections made in February,
expenditures for grants to local governments are substantially increased,
while expenditures for state operations are reduced.
There can be no assurance that the State will not face substantial
potential budget gaps in future years resulting from a significant
disparity between tax revenues projected from a lower recurring receipts
base and the spending required to maintain State programs at current
levels. To address any potential budgetary imbalance, the State may need
to take significant actions to align recurring receipts and disbursements
in future fiscal years.
On June 6, 1990, Moody's changed its ratings on all the State's
outstanding general obligation bonds from A1 to A. On March 26, 1990 and
January 13, 1992, S&P changed its ratings on all of the State's
outstanding general obligation bonds from AA- to A and from A to A-,
respectively. Ratings reflect only the respective views of such
organizations, and their concerns about the financial condition of New
York State and City, the debt load of the State and City and any economic
uncertainties about the region. There is no assurance that a particular
rating will continue for any given period of time or that any such rating
will not be revised downward or withdrawn entirely if, in the judgment of
the agency originally establishing the rating, circumstances so warrant.
(1) The State, Agencies and Other Municipalities. During the mid-
1970s, some of the Agencies and municipalities (in particular, the City)
faced extraordinary financial difficulties, which affected the State's own
financial condition. These events, including a default on short-term
notes issued by the New York State Urban Development Corporation ("UDC")
in February 1975, which default was cured shortly thereafter, and a
continuation of the financial difficulties of the City, created
substantial investor resistance to securities issued by the State and by
some of its municipalities and Agencies. For a time, in late 1975 and
early 1976, these difficulties resulted in a virtual closing of public
credit markets for State and many State related securities.
In response to the financial problems confronting it, the State
developed and implemented programs for its 1977 fiscal year that included
the adoption of a balanced budget on a cash basis (a deficit of $92
million that actually resulted was financed by issuing notes that were
paid during the first quarter of the State's 1978 fiscal year). In
addition, legislation was enacted limiting the occurrence of additional
so-called "moral obligation" and certain other Agency debt, which
legislation does not, however, apply to MAC debt.
State Financial Results. New York State's financial operations have
improved during recent fiscal years. During the period 1989-90 through
1991-92, the State incurred General Fund operating deficits that were
closed with receipts from the issuance of tax and revenue anticipation
notes ("TRANs"). First, the national recession, and then the lingering
economic slowdown in the New York and regional economy, resulted in
repeated shortfalls in receipts and three budget deficits. For its 1992-
93 and 1993-94 fiscal years, the State recorded balanced budgets on a cash
basis, with substantial fund balances in each year as described below.
On July 29, 1994, the Office of the State Comptroller issued the
General Purpose Financial Statements of the State of New York for the
1993-94 fiscal year. The Statements were prepared on GAAP-basis and were
independently audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. The State's Combined Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1994 showed
an accumulated surplus in its combined governmental funds of $370 million,
reflecting liabilities of $13.219 billion and assets of $13.589 billion.
This accumulated Governmental Funds surplus includes a $1.637 billion
accumulated deficit in the General Fund, as well as accumulated surpluses
in the Special Revenue and Debt Service fund types and a $622 million
accumulated deficit in the Capital Projects Fund type
The State completed its 1993-94 fiscal year with a combined
Governmental Funds operating surplus of $1.051 billion, which included an
operating surplus in the General Fund of $914 million, in the Special
Revenue Funds of $149 million and in the Debt Service Funds of $23
million, and an operating deficit in the Capital Projects Funds of $35
million. The following table updates Table 6 of the Annual Information
Statement.
The State reported a General Fund operating surplus of $914 million
for the 1993-94 fiscal year, as compared to an operating surplus of $2.065
billion for the prior fiscal year. The 1993-94 fiscal year surplus
reflects several major factors, including the cash basis surplus recorded
in 1993-94, the use of $671 million of the 1992-93 surplus to fund
operating expenses in 1993-94, net proceeds of $575 million in bonds
issued by the Local Government Assistance Corporation, and the
accumulation of $265 million balance in the Contingency Reserve Fund.
Revenues increased $543 million (1.7%) over prior fiscal year revenues
with the largest increase occurring in personal income taxes.
Expenditures increased $1.659 billion (5.6%) over the prior fiscal year,
with the largest increase occurring in State aid for social services
programs.
The State ended its 1993-94 fiscal year with a balance of $1.140
billion in the tax refund reserve account, $265 million in its Contingency
Reserve Fund and $134 million in its tax stabilization reserve fund.
These fund balances were primarily the result of an improving national
economy, State employment growth, tax collections that exceeded earlier
projections and disbursements that were below expectations. Deposits to
the personal income tax refund reserve have the effect of reducing
reported personal income tax receipts in the fiscal year when made and
withdrawals from such reserve increase receipts in the fiscal year when
made. The balance in the tax reserve account will be used to pay taxpayer
refunds, rather than drawing from 1994-95 receipts.
Of the $1.140 billion deposited in the tax refund reserve account,
$1.026 billion was available for budgetary planning purposes in the 1994-
95 fiscal year. The remaining $114 million will be redeposited in the tax
refund reserve account at the end of the State's 1994-95 fiscal year to
continue the process of restructuring the State's cash flow as part of the
New York Local Government Assistance Corporation ("LGAC") program. The
balance in the contingency reserve fund will be used to meet the cost of
litigation facing the State. The tax stabilization reserve fund may be
used only in the event of an unanticipated General Fund cash-basis deficit
during the 1994-95 fiscal year.
Before the deposit of $1.140 billion in the tax refund reserve
account, General Fund receipts in 1993-94 exceeded those originally
projected when the State Financial Plan for the year was formulated on
April 16, 1993 by $1.002 billion. Greater-than-expected receipts in the
personal income tax, the bank tax, the corporation franchise tax and the
estate tax accounted for most of this variance, and more than offset
weaker-than-projected collections from the sales and use tax and
miscellaneous receipts. Collections from individual taxes were affected
by various factors including changes in Federal business laws, sustained
profitability of banks, strong performance of securities firms, and
higher-than-expected consumption of tobacco products following price cuts.
The higher receipts resulted, in part, because the New York economy
performed better than forecasted. Employment growth started in the first
quarter of the State's 1993-94 year, and although this lagged the national
economic recovery, the growth in New York began earlier than forecasted.
The New York economy exhibited signs of strength in the service sector, in
construction, and in trade. Long Island, and the Mid-Hudson Valley
continued to lag the rest of the State in economic growth. Approximately
100,000 jobs are believed to have been added during the 1993-94 fiscal
year.
Disbursements and transfer from the General Fund were $303 million
below the level projected in April 1993, an amount that would have been
$423 million had the State not accelerated the payment of Medicaid
billings, which in the April 1993 State Financial Plan were planned to be
deferred into the 1994-95 fiscal year. Compared to the estimates included
in the State Financial Plan formulated in April 1993, disbursements were
lower for Medicaid, capital projects, and debt service (due to
refundings). In addition, $114 million of school and payments were funded
from the proceeds of LGAC bonds. Disbursements were higher-than-expected
for general support for public schools. The State also made the first of
six required payments to the State of Delaware related to the settlement
of Delaware's litigation against the State regarding the disposition of
abandoned property receipts.
During the 1993-94 fiscal year, the State also established and funded
a Contingency Reserve Fund ("CRF") as a way to assist the State in
financing the cost of litigation affecting the State. The CRF was
initially funded with a transfer of $100 million attributable to the
positive margin recorded in the 1992-93 fiscal year. In addition, the
State augmented this initial deposit with $132 million on debt service
savings attributable to the refinancing of State and public authority
bonds during 1993-94. A year-end transfer of $36 million was also made to
the CRF, which, after a disbursement for authorized fund purposes, brought
the CRF balance at the end of 1993-94 to $265 million. This amount was
$165 million higher than the amount originally targeted for this reserve
fund.
For its 1992-93 fiscal year the State had a balanced budget on a cash
basis with a positive margin of $671 million in the General Fund that was
deposited in the refund reserve account.
After reflecting a 1992-93 year-end deposit to the refund reserve
account of $671 million, reported 1992-93 General Fund receipts were $45
million higher than originally projected in April 1992. If not for that
year-end transaction, which had the effect of reducing 1992-93 receipts by
$671 million and making those receipts available in 1993-94, General Fund
receipts would have been $716 million higher than originally projected.
The favorable performance was primarily attributable to personal
income tax collections that were more than $700 million higher than
originally projected (before reflecting the refund reserve transaction).
The withholding and estimated payment components of the personal income
tax exceeded original estimates by more than $800 million combined,
reflecting both stronger economic activity, particularly at year's end,
and the tax-induced one-time acceleration of income into 1992. Modest
shortfalls were experienced in other components of the income tax.
There were large, but largely offsetting, variances in other
categories. Significantly higher-than-projected business tax collections
and the receipt of unbudgeted payments from the Medical Malpractice
Insurance Association and the New York Racing Association approximately
offset the loss of an anticipated $200 million Federal reimbursement, the
loss of certain budgeted hospital differential revenue as a result of
unfavorable court decisions, and shortfalls in certain miscellaneous
revenue sources.
Disbursements and transfers to other funds totaled $30.829 billion,
an increase of $45 million above projections in April 1992. After
adjusting for the impact of a $150 million payment from the Medical
Malpractice Insurance Association to health insurers made pursuant to
legislation passed in January 1993, actual disbursements were $105 million
lower than projected. This reduction primarily reflected higher-than-
anticipated costs for educational programs, as offset by lower costs in
virtually all other categories of spending, including Medicaid, local
health programs, agency operations, fringe benefits, capital projects and
debt service.
During its 1989-90, 1990-91 and 1991-92 fiscal years, the State
incurred cash-basis operating deficits in the General Fund of $775
million, $1.081 billion and $575 million, respectively, prior to the
issuance of short-term tax and revenue anticipation notes ("TRANs"), owing
to lower-than-projected receipts.
Governmental Funds. The principal operating fund of the State is the
General Fund. It receives all State income that is not required by law to
be deposited in another fund. General Fund receipts, including transfers
from other funds, totalled $32.229 billion in the State's 1993-94 fiscal
year. General Fund receipts in the State's 1994-95 fiscal year are
estimated in the State Financial Plan at $34.321 billion. Including
transfers to other funds, total General Fund disbursements in the 1993-94
fiscal year were $31.897 billion, and are estimated to total $34.248
billion in the State's 1994-95 fiscal year.
The Special Revenue Funds account for State receipts from specific
sources that are legally restricted in use to specified purposes and
include all moneys received from the Federal government. Total receipts
in Special Revenue Funds are projected at $24.598 billion in the State's
1994-95 fiscal year. Federal grants are projected to account for 75% of
the total projected receipts in Special Revenue Funds in the State's 1994-
95 fiscal year.
Disbursements from Special Revenue Funds are projected to be $24.982
billion for the State's 1994-95 fiscal year. Grants to local governments
disbursed from this fund type are projected to account for 75% of
disbursements from this fund for the 1994-95 fiscal year.
The Capital Projects Funds are used to finance the acquisition and
construction of major capital facilities and to aid local government units
and Agencies in financing capital constructions. Federal grants for
capital projects, largely highway-related, are projected to account for
33% of the $3.233 billion in total projected receipts in Capital Projects
Funds in the State's 1994-95 fiscal year. Total disbursements for capital
projects are projected to be $3.730 billion during the State's 1994-95
fiscal year. Of total disbursements from Capital Projects Funds,
approximately 54% is for various transportation purposes, including
highways and mass transportation facilities; 4% is for programs of the
Department of Correctional Services and other public protection
activities; 16% is for health and mental hygiene facilities; 13% is for
environmental and recreational programs; 5% is for educational programs;
and 5% is for housing and economic development programs. The balance is
for the maintenance of State office facilities and various other capital
programs.
The Debt Service Funds serve to fulfill State debt service on long-
term general obligation State debt and other State lease/purchase and
contractual obligation financing commitments. Total receipts in Debt
Service Funds are projected to reach $2.318 billion in the State's 1994-95
fiscal year. Total disbursements from Debt Service Funds for debt
service, lease/purchase and contractual obligation financing commitments
are projected to be $2.246 billion for the 1994-95 fiscal year.
State Borrowing Plan. The State issued $850 million in TRANs on May
4, 1993 to fund its day-to-day operations and certain local assistance
payments to its municipalities and school districts. All of these TRANs
matured on December 31, 1993.
The State anticipates that its 1994-95 borrowings for capital
purposes will consist of approximately $374 million in general obligation
bonds (including $140 million for the purpose of redeeming outstanding
bond anticipation notes) and $140 million in new commercial paper
issuances. The Legislature has authorized the issuance of up to $69
million in certificates of participation for real property and equipment
acquisitions during the State's 1994-95 fiscal year. The projections of
the State regarding its borrowings for the 1994-95 fiscal year may change
if actual receipts fall short of State projections or if other
circumstances require.
In addition, the LGAC is authorized to provide net proceeds of $315
million during the 1994-95 fiscal year to make payments to local
governmental units, otherwise made by the State, reduces the State's
future liabilities.
State Agencies. The fiscal stability of the State is related, at
least in part, to the fiscal stability of its localities and various of
its Agencies. Various Agencies have issued bonds secured, in part, by
non-binding statutory provisions for State appropriations to maintain
various debt service reserve funds established for such bonds (commonly
referred to as "moral obligation" provisions).
At September 30, 1993, there were 18 Agencies that had outstanding
debt of $100 million or more. The aggregate outstanding debt, including
refunding bonds, of these 18 Agencies was $63.5 billion as of September
30, 1993. As of March 31, 1994, aggregate Agency debt outstanding as
State-supported debt was $21.1 billion and as State-related was $29.4
billion. Debt service on the outstanding Agency obligations normally is
paid out of revenues generated by the Agencies' projects or programs, but
in recent years the State has provided special financial assistance, in
some cases on a recurring basis, to certain Agencies for operating and
other expenses and for debt service pursuant to moral obligation
indebtedness provisions or otherwise. Additional assistance is expected
to continue to be required in future years.
Several Agencies have experienced financial difficulties in the past.
Certain Agencies continue to experience financial difficulties requiring
financial assistance from the State. Failure of the State to appropriate
necessary amounts or to take other action to permit certain Agencies to
meet their obligations could result in a default by one or more of such
Agencies. If a default were to occur, it would likely have a significant
effect on the marketability of obligations of the State and the Agencies.
These Agencies are discussed below.
The New York State Housing Finance Agency ("HFA") provides financing
for multifamily housing, State University construction, hospital and
nursing home development, and other programs. In general, HFA depends
upon mortgagors in the housing programs it finances to generate sufficient
funds from rental income, subsidies and other payments to meet their
respective mortgage repayment obligations to HFA, which provide the
principal source of funds for the payment of debt service on HFA bonds, as
well as to meet operating and maintenance costs of the projects financed.
From January 1, 1976 through March 31, 1987, the State was called upon to
appropriate a total of $162.8 million to make up deficiencies in the debt
service reserve funds of HFA pursuant to moral obligation provisions. The
State has not been called upon to make such payments since the 1986-87
fiscal year and no payments are anticipated during the 1993-94 fiscal
year.
UDC has experienced, and expects to continue to experience, financial
difficulties with the housing programs it had undertaken prior to 1975,
because a substantial number of these housing program mortgagors are
unable to make full payments on their mortgage loans. Through a
subsidiary, UDC is currently attempting to increase its rate of collection
by accelerating its program of foreclosures and by entering into
settlement agreements. UDC has been, and will remain, dependent upon the
State for appropriations to meet its operating expenses. The State also
has appropriated money to assist in the curing of a default by UDC on
notes which did not contain the State's moral obligation provision.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (the "MTA") oversees New
York City's subway and bus lines by its affiliates, the New York City
Transit Authority and the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating
Authority (collectively, the "TA"). Through MTA's subsidiaries, the Long
Island Rail Road Company, the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company and
the Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority, the MTA operates certain commuter
rail and bus lines in the New York metropolitan area. In addition, the
Staten Island Rapid Transit Authority, an MTA subsidiary, operates a rapid
transit line on Staten Island. Through its affiliated agency, the
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (the "TBTA"), the MTA operates
certain toll bridges and tunnels. Because fare revenues are not
sufficient to finance the mass transit portion of these operations, the
MTA has depended and will continue to depend for operating support upon a
system of State, local government and TBTA support and, to the extent
available, Federal operating assistance, including loans, grants and
operating subsidies.
The TA and the commuter railroads, which are on a calendar fiscal
year, ended 1993 with their budgets balanced on a cash basis. The TA had
a closing cash balance of approximately $39 million.
Over the past several years the State has enacted several
taxes--including a surcharge on the profits of banks, insurance
corporations and general business corporations doing business in the
12-county region (the "Metropolitan Transportation Region") served by the
MTA and a special .25% regional sales and use tax--that provide additional
revenues for mass transit purposes, including assistance to the MTA. The
surcharge, which expires in November 1995, yielded $533 million in
calendar year 1993, of which the MTA was entitled to receive approximately
90%, or approximately $480 million.
For 1994, the TA projects that it will end the year with $77.6
million cash surplus. For the 1994-95 State fiscal year, total State
assistance to the MTA is estimated at $1.3 billion.
A subway fire on December 28, 1990 and a subway derailment on August
28, 1991, each of which caused fatalities and many injuries, have given
rise to substantial claims for damages against both the TA and the City.
In 1981, the State Legislature authorized procedures for the
adoption, approval and amendment of a five-year plan for the capital
program designed to upgrade the performance of the MTA's transportation
systems and to supplement, replace and rehabilitate facilities and
equipment, and also granted certain additional bonding authorization
therefor.
On April 5, 1993, the Legislature approved, and the Governor
subsequently signed into law, legislation authorizing a five-year $9.56
billion capital plan for the MTA for 1992-1996. The MTA has submitted a
1992-1996 Capital Program based on this legislation for the approval of
the MTA Capital Program Review Board (the "CPRB"), as State law requires.
On July 1, 1993, the CPRB indicated that it was withholding approval
pending the resolution of certain related issues. If approved, the 1992-
1996 Capital Program would succeed two previous five-year capital programs
of the periods covering 1982-1986 and 1987-1991. The 1987-1991 Capital
Program totalled approximately $8.0 billion, including $6.2 billion for TA
capital projects.
The 1992-1996 Capital Program would supersede a one-year program
adopted in 1992. State budget legislation for the 1992-93 fiscal year had
required the MTA to submit a one-year capital program for 1992 instead of
a five-year program. The one-year program, which contained $1.635 billion
of projects for transit and commuter facilities combined, was approved by
the CPRB in May 1992, but the five-year program for 1992-1996, required to
be submitted subsequently by the MTA as an amendment to the one-year plan,
was disapproved without prejudice by the CPRB in December 1992.
There can be no assurance that such governmental actions will be
taken, that sources currently identified will not be decreased or
eliminated, or that the 1992-1996 Capital Program will not be delayed or
reduced. If the MTA capital program is delayed or reduced because of
funding shortfalls or other factors, ridership and fare revenues may
decline, which could, among other things, impair the MTA's ability to meet
its operating expenses without additional State assistance.
The cities, towns, villages and school districts of the State are
political subdivisions of the State with the powers granted by the State
Constitution and statutes. As the sovereign, the State retains broad
powers and responsibilities with respect to the government, finances and
welfare of these political subdivisions, especially in education and
social services. In recent years the State has been called upon to
provide added financial assistance to certain localities.
Other Localities. Certain localities in addition to the City could
have financial problems leading to requests for additional State
assistance during the State's 1994-95 fiscal year and thereafter. The
potential impact on the State of such actions by localities is not
included in the projections of the State receipts and disbursements in the
State's 1994-95 fiscal year.
Municipalities and school districts have engaged in substantial
short-term and long-term borrowings. In 1992, the total indebtedness of
all localities in the State, other than the City, was approximately $15.7
billion. A small portion (approximately $71.6 million) of this
indebtedness represented borrowing to finance budgetary deficits and was
issued pursuant to enabling State legislation. State law requires the
Comptroller to review and make recommendations concerning the budgets of
those local government units other than the City authorized by State law
to issue debt to finance deficits during the period that such deficit
financing is outstanding. Seventeen localities had outstanding
indebtedness for deficit financing at the close of their fiscal year
ending in 1992.
Certain proposed Federal expenditure reductions would reduce, or in
some cases eliminate, Federal funding of some local programs and
accordingly might impose substantial increased expenditure requirements on
affected localities to increase local revenues to sustain those
expenditures. If the State, the City or any of the Agencies were to
suffer serious financial difficulties jeopardizing their respective access
to the public credit markets, the marketability of notes and bonds issued
by localities within the State could be adversely affected. Localities
also face anticipated and potential problems resulting from certain
pending litigation, judicial decisions and long-range economic trends.
The longer-range, potential problems of declining city population,
increasing expenditures and other economic trends could adversely affect
localities and require increasing State assistance in the future.
Because of significant fiscal difficulties experienced from time to
time by the City of Yonkers, a Financial Control Board was created by the
State in 1984 to oversee Yonkers' fiscal affairs. Future actions taken by
the Governor or the State Legislature to assist Yonkers in this crisis
could result in the allocation of State resources in amounts that cannot
yet be determined.
Certain litigation pending against the State or its officers or
employees could have a substantial or long-term adverse effect on State
finances. Among the more significant of these litigations are those that
involve: (i) the validity and fairness of agreements and treaties by which
various Indian tribes transferred title to the State of approximately six
million acres of land in central New York; (ii) certain aspects of the
State's Medicaid rates and regulations, including reimbursements to
providers of mandatory and optional Medicaid services; (iii) contamination
in the Love Canal area of Niagara Falls; (iv) a challenge to the State's
practice of reimbursing certain Office of Mental Health patient-care
expenses with clients' Social Security benefits; (v) a challenge to the
methods by which the State reimburses localities for the administrative
costs of food stamp programs; (vi) a challenge to the State's possession
of certain funds taken pursuant to the State's Abandoned Property law;
(vii) alleged responsibility of State officials to assist in remedying
racial segregation in the City of Yonkers; (viii) an action, in which the
State is a third party defendant, for injunctive or other appropriate
relief, concerning liability for the maintenance of stone groins
constructed along certain areas of Long Island's shoreline; (ix) actions
challenging the constitutionality of legislation enacted during the 1990
legislative session which changed the actuarial funding methods for
determining contributions to State employee retirement systems; (x) an
action against State and City officials alleging that the present level of
shelter allowance for public assistance recipients is inadequate under
statutory standards to maintain proper housing; (xi) an action challenging
legislation enacted in 1990 which had the effect of deferring certain
employer contributions to the State Teachers' Retirement System and
reducing State aid to school districts by a like amount; (xii) a challenge
to the constitutionality of financing programs of the Thruway Authority
authorized by Chapters 166 and 410 of the Laws of 1991 (described below in
this Part); (xiii) a challenge to the constitutionality of financing
programs of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Thruway
Authority authorized by Chapter 56 of the Laws of 1993 (described below in
this Part); (xiv) challenges to the delay by the State Department of
Social Services in making two one-week Medicaid payments to the service
providers; (xv) challenges by commercial insurers, employee welfare
benefit plans, and health maintenance organizations to provisions of
Section 2807-c of the Public Health Law which impose 13%, 11% and 9%
surcharges on inpatient hospital bills and a bad debt and charity care
allowance on all hospital bills paid by such entities; (xvi) challenges to
the promulgation of the State's proposed procedure to determine the
eligibility for and nature of home care services for Medicaid recipients;
(xvii) a challenge to State implementation of a program which reduces
Medicaid benefits to certain home-relief recipients; and (xviii)
challenges to the rationality and retroactive application of State
regulations recalibrating nursing home Medicaid rates.
Adverse developments or decisions in such cases could affect the
ability of the State to maintain a balanced 1994-95 State Financial Plan.
(2) New York City. In the mid-1970s, the City had large accumulated
past deficits and until recently was not able to generate sufficient tax
and other ongoing revenues to cover expenses in each fiscal year.
However, the City's operating results for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1993 were balanced in accordance with GAAP, the eleventh consecutive year
in which the City achieved balanced operating results in accordance with
GAAP. The City's ability to maintain balanced operating results in future
years is subject to numerous contingencies and future developments.
The City's economy, whose rate of growth slowed substantially over
the past three years, is currently in recession. During the 1990 and 1991
fiscal years, as a result of the slowing economy, the City has experienced
significant shortfalls in almost all of its major tax sources and
increases in social services costs, and has been required to take actions
to close substantial budget gaps in order to maintain balanced budgets in
accordance with the Financial Plan.
In 1975, the City became unable to market its securities and entered
a period of extraordinary financial difficulties. In response to this
crisis, the State created MAC to provide financing assistance to the City
and also enacted the New York State Financial Emergency Act for the City
of New York (the "Emergency Act") which, among other things, created the
Financial Control Board (the "Control Board") to oversee the City's
financial affairs and facilitate its return to the public credit markets.
The State also established the Office of the State Deputy Comptroller
("OSDC") to assist the Control Board in exercising its powers and
responsibilities. On June 30, 1986, the Control Board's powers of
approval over the City Financial Plan were suspended pursuant to the
Emergency Act. However, the Control Board, MAC and OSDC continue to
exercise various monitoring functions relating to the City's financial
condition. The City prepares and operates under a four-year financial
plan which is submitted annually to the Control Board for review and which
the City periodically updates.
The City's independently audited operating results for each of its
fiscal years from 1981 through 1993 show a General Fund surplus reported
in accordance with GAAP. The City has eliminated the cumulative deficit
in its net General Fund position. In addition, the City's financial
statements for the 1993 fiscal year received an unqualified opinion from
the City's independent auditors, the eleventh consecutive year the City
has received such an opinion.
In August 1993, the City adopted and submitted to the Control Board
for its review a four-year Financial Plan covering fiscal years 1994
through 1997 (the "Financial Plan"). The Financial Plan was based on the
City's fiscal year 1994 expense budget adopted June 14, 1993 as well as
certain changes incorporated subsequent to the budget adoption process.
On November 23, 1993, the City adopted and submitted to the Control Board
for its review a first quarter modification to the Financial Plan (the
"November Modification") incorporating various re-estimates of revenues
and expenditures. For fiscal year 1994, the November Modification
includes additional resources stemming primarily from the City
Comptroller's fiscal year 1993 annual audit, savings from a reduction in
prior years' accrued expenditures, and higher State and Federal aid
resulting from claims by the City for reimbursement of various social
services costs. These resources were used to fund new needs in the
November Modification including higher costs in the uniformed agencies, at
the Board of Education (the "BoE") and for certain social services, the
unlikelihood of the sale of the Off-Track Betting Corporation (the "OTB"),
and lower estimates of miscellaneous and other revenues. After taking
these adjustments into account, the November Modification projects a
balanced budget for fiscal year 1994, based upon revenues of $31,585
billion. For fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997, the November Modification
projects budget gaps of $1.730 billion, $2.513 billion and $2.699 billion,
respectively. These gaps are higher by about $450 million in fiscal year
1995 and by about $700 million in each of fiscal years 1996 and 1997 than
in the Financial Plan, primarily on account of the nonrecurring value of
the fiscal year 1994 revenue adjustments, the loss of certain one-time
resources funding BoE fiscal year 1994 spending needs, and the
reclassification of anticipated State aid from the baseline revenue
estimates to the gap-closing program. To offset these larger gaps, the
November Modification relies on additional City, State and other actions.
On December 1, 1993, a three-member panel appointed by the Mayor to
address City structural budget imbalance released a report setting forth
its findings and recommendations. In its report, the panel noted that
budget imbalance is likely to be greater than the City now projects by
$255 million in fiscal year 1995, rising to nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal
year 1997. The report provided a number of options that the City should
consider in addressing the structural balance issue such as severe cuts in
City-funded personnel levels, increases in residential property taxes and
the sales tax, and the imposition of bridge tolls and solid waste
collection fees. The report also noted that additional State actions will
be required in many instances to allow the City to cut its budget without
grave damage to basic services.
On December 21, 1993, OSDC issued a report reviewing the November
Modification. The report noted that while the outlook for fiscal year
1994 has improved since August, it will be necessary for the City to
manage its budget aggressively in order to stay on course for budget
balance this year. For fiscal years 1995 through 1997, the report
expressed concern that the gaps identified by the City in the November
Modification are the largest as a percentage of City-fund revenues that
the City has faced at this point in the fiscal year since budget balance
in accordance with GAAP was first achieved in fiscal year 1981.
On December 21, 1993, the staff of the Control Board issued its
report on the November Modification. The report states that the plan is
now more realistic in terms of the gaps it portrays and the solutions it
offers. However, the solutions are mostly limited to fiscal year 1994
while the gap for fiscal year 1995 has been increased by $450 million.
Beginning in fiscal year 1995, budget gaps average over $1 billion
annually. Therefore, the staff recommends that prompt action to replace
many current-year one-shots with recurring savings is critical.
On February 2, 1994, the Mayor presented to the City Council and the
Control Board a mid-year modification to the Financial Plan (the "February
Modification"). The February Modification projects a balanced budget for
fiscal year 1994, based upon revenues of $31.735 billion, including a
general reserve of $81 million. For fiscal years 1995, 1996 and 1997, the
February Modification projects gaps of $2.261 billion, $3.167 billion and
$3.253 billion, respectively, and assumes no wage and salary increases
beyond the expiration of current labor agreements which expire in fiscal
years 1995 and 1996. These gaps have grown since November by about $530
million in fiscal year 1995, and $650 million and $550 million in fiscal
years 1996 and 1997, respectively, owing in large part to lower estimates
of real property tax revenues. To close the budget gap projected for
fiscal year 1995, the February Modification includes a gap-closing program
that consists of the following major elements: (i) an agency program of
$1.048 billion; (ii) fringe benefit and pension savings of $400 million;
(iii) an intergovernmental aid package of $400 million; (iv) a workforce
reduction program of $144 million; and (v) the assumption of a $234
million surplus roll from fiscal year 1994. Implementation of many of the
gap-closing initiatives requires the cooperation of the municipal labor
unions, the City Council and the State and Federal governments. The
February Modification also includes a tax reduction program, with most of
the financial impact affecting the later years of the Plan period.
The City requires certain amounts of financing for seasonal and
capital spending purposes. The City has issued $1.75 billion of notes for
seasonal financing purposes during the 1994 fiscal year. The City's
capital financing program projects long-term financing requirements of
approximately $17 billion for the City's fiscal years 1995 through 1998
for the construction and rehabilitation of the City's infrastructure and
other fixed assets. The major capital requirement include expenditures
for the City's water supply system, and waste disposal systems, roads,
bridges, mass transit, schools and housing. In addition, the City and the
Municipal Water Finance Authority have issued about $1.8 billion in
refunding bonds in the 1994 fiscal year.
State Economic Trends. The City accounts for approximately 41% of
the State's population and personal income, and the City's financial
health affects the State in numerous ways. The State has long been one of
the wealthiest states in the nation. For decades, however, the State
economy has grown more slowly than that of the nation as a whole,
resulting in the gradual erosion of its relative economic affluence. The
causes of this relative decline are varied and complex, in many cases
involving national and international developments beyond the State's
control. In recent years, the State's economic position has improved in a
manner consistent with that of the Northeast as a whole.
Part of the reason for the long-term relative decline in the State's
economy has been attributed to the combined State and local tax burden,
which is among the highest in the United States. The burdens of State and
local taxation, in combination with many other causes of regional economic
dislocation, may have contributed to the decision of businesses and
individuals to relocate outside, or not locate within, the State. In
1987, the State enacted a major personal income tax reduction and reform
program and also reduced the tax rate on corporation income. In addition,
the State has provided various tax incentives to encourage business
relocation and expansion. The State, however, in its 1989-90, 1990-91 and
1991-92 fiscal years substantially increased taxes and fees to help close
projected budget gaps in those years, and in 1990-91, 1991-92 and 1992-93
delayed and restructured the remainder of the personal income tax
reduction program originally enacted in 1987. Under legislation proposed
with the 1993-94 budget, the rules for calculating tax liability for the
1993 tax year will be the same as those for the 1992 tax year (deferring
for a fourth year a previously scheduled tax reduction), and the tax
reduction program will be frozen at current rates. Also, in July 1991
State legislation was enacted to phase out the benefit of graduated income
tax tables for taxpayers with adjusted gross income above $100,000.
APPENDIX B
Description of Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"), Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and Fitch Investors Service, Inc.
("Fitch") ratings:
S&P
Municipal Bond Ratings
An S&P municipal bond rating is a current assessment of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation.
The ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer
or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable, and will
include: (1) likelihood of default--capacity and willingness of the
obligor as to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in
accordance with the terms of the obligation; (2) nature and provisions of
the obligation; and (3) protection afforded by, and relative position of,
the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other
arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting
creditors' rights.
AAA
Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to
pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA
Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in a small
degree.
A
Principal and interest payments on bonds in this category are
regarded as safe. This rating describes the third strongest capacity for
payment of debt service. It differs from the two higher ratings because:
General Obligation Bonds -- There is some weakness in the local
economic base, in debt burden, in the balance between revenues and
expenditures, or in quality of management. Under certain adverse
circumstances, any one such weakness might impair the ability of the
issuer to meet debt obligations at some future date.
Revenue Bonds -- Debt service coverage is good, but not exceptional.
Stability of the pledged revenues could show some variations because of
increased competition or economic influences on revenues. Basic security
provisions, while satisfactory, are less stringent. Management
performance appears adequate.
BBB
Of the investment grade, this is the lowest.
General Obligation Bonds -- Under certain adverse conditions, several
of the above factors could contribute to a lesser capacity for payment of
debt service. The difference between "A" and "BBB" rating is that the
latter shows more than one fundamental weakness, or one very substantial
fundamental weakness, whereas the former shows only one deficiency among
the factors considered.
Revenue Bonds -- Debt coverage is only fair. Stability of the
pledged revenues could show substantial variations, with the revenue flow
possibly being subject to erosion over time. Basic security provisions
are no more than adequate. Management performance could be stronger.
BB, B, CCC, CC, C
Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC or C is regarded as having predominantly
speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and
repay principal. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the
highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large
uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
BB
Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other
speculative grade debt. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or
exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could
lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payment.
B
Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but presently has
the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse
business, financial or economic conditions would likely impair capacity or
willingness to pay interest and repay principal.
CCC
Debt rated CCC has a current identifiable vulnerability to default,
and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic
conditions to meet timely payments of principal. In the event of adverse
business, financial or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the
capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
CC
The rating CC is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior
debt which is assigned an actual or implied CCC rating.
C
The rating C is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt
which is assigned an actual or implied CCC- debt rating.
D
Bonds rated D are in default, and payment of interest and/or
repayment of principal is in arrears.
Plus (+) or minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by
the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the
major ratings categories.
Municipal Note Ratings
SP-1
The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit very strong or strong
capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to
possess overwhelming safety characteristics are given a plus (+)
designation.
SP-2
The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit satisfactory capacity to
pay principal and interest.
Commercial Paper Ratings
The designation A-1 by S&P indicates that the degree of safety
regarding timely payment is either overwhelming or very strong. Those
issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are
denoted with a plus sign (+) designation. Capacity for timely payment on
issues with an A-2 designation is strong. However, the relative degree of
safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.
Moody's
Municipal Bond Ratings
Aaa
Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to
as "gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be
visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position
of such issues.
Aa
Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what generally are
known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds
because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or
fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there
may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear
somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A
Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes
and are to be considered as upper medium-grade obligations. Factors
giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but
elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some
time in the future.
Baa
Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations,
i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest
payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but
certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically
unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding
investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as
well.
Ba
Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements;
their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection
of interest and principal payments may be very moderate, and therefore not
well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future.
Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B
Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the
desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of
maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time
may be small.
Caa
Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be
in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to
principal or interest.
Ca
Bonds which are rated Ca present obligations which are speculative in
a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.
C
Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and
issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever
attaining any real investment standing.
Moody's applies the numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to show relative
standing within the major rating categories, except in the Aaa category
and in the categories below B. The modifier 1 indicates a ranking for the
security in the higher end of a rating category; the modifier 2 indicates
a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower
end of a rating category.
Municipal Note Ratings
Moody's ratings for state municipal notes and other short-term loans
are designated Moody's Investment Grade (MIG). Such ratings recognize the
differences between short-term credit risk and long-term risk. Factors
affecting the liquidity of the borrower and short-term cyclical elements
are critical in short-term ratings, while other factors of major
importance in bond risk, long-term secular trends for example, may be less
important over the short run.
A short-term rating may also be assigned on an issue having a demand
feature. Such ratings will be designated as VMIG or, if the demand
feature is not rated, as NR. Short-term ratings on issues with demand
features are differentiated by the use of the VMIG symbol to reflect such
characteristics as payment upon periodic demand rather than fixed maturity
dates and payment relying on external liquidity. Additionally, investors
should be alert to the fact that the source of payment may be limited to
the external liquidity with no or limited legal recourse to the issuer in
the event the demand is not met.
Moody's short-term ratings are designated Moody's Investment Grade as
MIG 1 or VMIG 1 through MIG 4 or VMIG 4. As the name implies, when
Moody's assigns a MIG or VMIG rating, all categories define an investment
grade situation.
MIG 1/VMIG 1
This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong
protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or
demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2/VMIG 2
This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are
ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
Commercial Paper Rating
The rating Prime-1 (P-1) is the highest commercial paper rating
assigned by Moody's. Issuers of P-1 paper must have a superior capacity
for repayment of short-term promissory obligations, and ordinarily will be
evidenced by leading market positions in well established industries, high
rates of return on funds employed, conservative capitalization structures
with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection, broad margins
in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash
generation, and well established access to a wide range of financial
markets and assured sources of alternative liquidity.
Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 (P-2) have
a strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations.
This ordinarily will be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited
above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while
sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics,
while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions.
Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
Fitch
Municipal Bond Ratings
The ratings represent Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to
meet the obligations of a specific debt issue or class of debt. The
ratings take into consideration special features of the issue, its
relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current financial
condition and operative performance of the issuer and of any guarantor, as
well as the political and economic environment that might affect the
issuer's future financial strength and credit quality.
AAA
Bonds rated AAA are considered to be investment grade and of the
highest credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability
to pay interest and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by
reasonably foreseeable events.
AA
Bonds rated AA are considered to be investment grade and of very high
credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal
is very strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because
bonds rated in the AAA and AA categories are not significantly vulnerable
to foreseeable future developments, short-term debt of these issuers is
generally rated F-1+.
A
Bonds rated A are considered to be investment grade and of high
credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal
is considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes
in economic conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB
Bonds rated BBB are considered to be investment grade and of
satisfactory credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and
repay principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic
conditions and circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse
impact on these bonds and, therefore, impair timely payment. The
likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below investment
grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings.
BB
Bonds rated BB are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to
pay interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse
economic changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be
identified which could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service
requirements.
B
Bonds rated B are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this
class are currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of
continued timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor's
limited margin of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic
activity throughout the life of the issue.
CCC
Bonds rated CCC have certain identifiable characteristics, which, if
not remedied, may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations
requires an advantageous business and economic environment.
CC
Bonds rated CC are minimally protected. Default in payment of
interest and/or principal seems probable over time.
C
Bonds rated C are in imminent default in payment of interest or
principal.
DDD, DD and D
Bonds rated DDD, DD and D are in actual or imminent default of
interest and/or principal payments. Such bonds are extremely speculative
and should be valued on the basis of their ultimate recovery value in
liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. DDD represents the highest
potential for recovery on these bonds and D represents the lowest
potential for recovery.
Plus (+) and minus (-) signs are used with a rating symbol to
indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category.
Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in the AAA category covering
12-36 months or the DDD, DD or D categories.
Short-Term Ratings
Fitch's short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable
on demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including
commercial paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and
municipal and investment notes.
Although the credit analysis is similar to Fitch's bond rating
analysis, the short-term rating places greater emphasis than bond ratings
on the existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer's obligations
in a timely manner.
F-1+
Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are
regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
F-1
Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an
assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated
F-1+.
F-2
Good Credit Quality. Issues carrying this rating have a satisfactory
degree of assurance for timely payments, but the margin of safety is not
as great as the F-1+ and F-1 categories.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS OCTOBER 31, 1994
PRINCIPAL
LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS-100.0% AMOUNT VALUE
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
NEW YORK-90.1%
Albany Industrial Development Agency:
IDR (Hampton Plaza Project) 6.25%, 3/1/2018............................. $ 5,600,000 $ 4,901,176
LR:
(New York State Assembly Building Project) 7.75%, 1/1/2010............ 3,615,000 3,720,088
(New York State Department of Health Building Project) 7.25%, 10/1/2010 1,755,000 1,734,379
Board of Cooperative Educational Services, COP (Greenport Vocational
Facility Project)
7.875%, 10/1/2000....................................................... 1,120,000 1,174,813
Cohoes Industrial Development Agency, IDR (Norlite Corp. Project)
6.75%, 5/1/2009 (LOC; Dresdner Bank) (a)................................ 2,400,000 2,384,664
Erie County Water Authority, Water Revenue, Refunding
Zero Coupon, 12/1/2017 (Insured; AMBAC)................................. 1,210,000 227,431
Franklin County Solid Waste Management Authority, Solid Waste Systems Revenue
6.125%, 6/1/2009........................................................ 2,150,000 2,010,379
Grand Central District Management Association, Inc., Business Improvement
District,
Capital Improvement, Refunding:
5.125%, 1/1/2014...................................................... 1,000,000 811,830
5.25%, 1/1/2022....................................................... 3,000,000 2,353,320
Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency, SWDR
(Champion International Corp.) 7.20%, 12/1/2020......................... 2,000,000 2,009,540
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Service Contract,
Transportation Facilities:
Refunding:
7.125%, 7/1/2009.................................................. 2,000,000 2,036,740
7%, 7/1/2012...................................................... 3,000,000 3,016,980
Revenue 7.004%, 7/1/2022 (b,c)........................................ 3,000,000 1,980,000
New York City:
7.50%, 2/1/2006......................................................... 5,000,000 5,275,200
7.65%, 2/1/2006......................................................... 3,000,000 3,196,110
7.75%, 8/15/2007........................................................ 4,000,000 4,279,640
7%, 10/1/2008........................................................... 1,750,000 1,761,025
7.50%, 3/15/2009........................................................ 1,000,000 1,035,260
6.25%, 8/1/2011 (Insured; FSA, Prerefunded 8/1/2002) (d)................ 1,550,000 1,622,633
7.20%, 2/1/2014......................................................... 5,000,000 5,052,900
New York City Health and Hospital Authority, Local Government Revenue,
Refunding
6%, 2/15/2007........................................................... 2,750,000 2,574,880
New York City Industrial Development Agency:
Civic Facility Revenue:
(Saint Christopher Ottilie Project) 7.50%, 7/1/2021 (LOC; Allied Irish Banks) (a) 2,620,000 2,690,792
(YMCA of Greater New York Project) 8%, 8/1/2016....................... 3,300,000 3,426,357
IDR:
7.625%, 11/1/2009 (LOC; ABN Amro Bank) (a)............................ 1,340,000 1,369,132
(Plaza Packaging Corp. Project) 7.65%, 12/1/2009 (LOC; Barclays Bank) (a) 2,750,000 2,870,037
Special Facility Revenue:
(American Airlines, Inc. Project) 6.90%, 8/1/2024..................... 3,000,000 2,886,210
(Terminal One Group Association Project):
6%, 1/1/2015...................................................... 4,375,000 3,980,069
6.125%, 1/1/2024.................................................. 6,000,000 5,391,000
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) OCTOBER 31, 1994
PRINCIPAL
LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) AMOUNT VALUE
-------------- --------------
NEW YORK (CONTINUED)
New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water and Sewer Systems
Revenue
7%, 6/15/2009........................................................... $ 3,500,000 $ 3,626,875
New York State, Crossover, Refunding 6.125%, 11/15/2012..................... 5,000,000 4,807,450
New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenues:
City University;
5.75%, 7/1/2011....................................................... 2,455,000 2,164,377
Consolidated City University Systems:
2nd Generation 5.75%, 7/1/2013........................................ 5,000,000 4,321,100
5.75%, 7/1/2013....................................................... 2,975,000 2,571,054
State University Educational Facilities:
6.25%, 5/15/2014...................................................... 2,000,000 1,851,500
6.25%, 5/15/2017...................................................... 5,000,000 4,588,250
6.25%, 5/15/2020...................................................... 2,000,000 1,813,820
5.40%, 5/15/2023...................................................... 12,750,000 10,100,550
5.75%, 5/15/2024...................................................... 2,000,000 1,670,200
Refunding:
5.50%, 5/15/2008.................................................. 5,000,000 4,442,650
7.50%, 5/15/2011.................................................. 2,000,000 2,121,260
7.375%, 5/15/2014................................................. 1,310,000 1,339,868
7%, 5/15/2016..................................................... 4,245,000 4,249,712
6%, 5/15/2017..................................................... 2,575,000 2,279,750
Suffolk County Judicial Facility 9.50%, 4/15/2014....................... 3,000,000 3,510,570
Upstate Community Colleges 7.20%, 7/1/2021 (Prerefunded 7/1/2001) (d)... 2,130,000 2,357,910
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority:
Electric Facilities Revenue:
(Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Inc.) 6.75%, 1/15/2027.......... 3,250,000 3,162,282
(Long Island Lighting Co.):
7.15%, Series A, 6/1/2020......................................... 2,000,000 1,883,980
7.15%, Series A, 2/1/2022......................................... 3,000,000 2,822,250
6.90%, Series D, 8/1/2022......................................... 4,000,000 3,647,520
Gas Facilities Revenue 7.539%, 7/8/2026 (Insured; MBIA) (b)............. 3,000,000 2,032,500
New York State Environmental Facilities Corp.:
PCR (State Water Revolving Fund):
7.25%, 6/15/2010...................................................... 1,300,000 1,379,287
7.20%, 3/15/2011...................................................... 4,500,000 4,759,875
7.50%, 6/15/2012...................................................... 2,000,000 2,163,880
6.30%, 3/15/2016...................................................... 5,200,000 4,903,132
Special Obligation (Riverbank State Park):
7.25%, 4/1/2007....................................................... 1,500,000 1,554,885
7.25%, 4/1/2012....................................................... 2,500,000 2,582,675
New York State Housing Finance Agency, Revenue:
Childrens' Rescue Fund Housing 7.625%, 5/1/2018 ........................ 2,400,000 2,350,008
Multi-Family Housing:
Second Mortgage 6.625%, 8/15/2012..................................... 2,500,000 2,480,325
7.75%, 11/1/2020 (Insured; AMBAC)..................................... 2,230,000 2,346,451
(Refunding - Health Facilities) 8%, 11/1/2008........................... 2,000,000 2,207,940
Service Contract Obligation:
6.30%, 9/15/2012...................................................... 2,500,000 2,378,975
7.375%, 9/15/2021 (Prerefunded 3/15/2002) (d)......................... 2,000,000 2,241,020
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) OCTOBER 31, 1994
PRINCIPAL
LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) AMOUNT VALUE
-------------- --------------
NEW YORK (CONTINUED)
New York State Local Government Assistance Corp.:
7.25%, 4/1/2018 (Prerefunded 4/1/2001) (d).............................. $ 4,000,000 $ 4,434,960
Refunding 6%, 4/1/2014.................................................. 4,000,000 3,673,680
New York State Medical Care Facilities Finance Agency, Revenue:
(Hospital & Nursing Home Insured Mortgage):
6.85%, 2/15/2012 (Insured; FHA)....................................... 3,000,000 3,076,140
6.20%, 8/15/2013 (Insured; FHA)....................................... 3,000,000 2,862,180
8%, 2/15/2028 (Insured; FHA).......................................... 4,470,000 4,865,193
7.45%, 8/15/2031 (Insured; FHA)....................................... 3,000,000 3,141,090
Refunding 6.20%, 2/15/2023 (Insured; FHA)............................. 1,700,000 1,561,314
Refunding (Huntington Hospital Mortgage Project) 6.50%, 11/1/2014..... 1,750,000 1,640,503
Improvement (Mental Health Services Facilities):
6.50%, 2/15/2019...................................................... 5,290,000 4,895,630
7.875%, 8/15/2020 (Prerefunded 8/15/2000) (d)......................... 1,250,000 1,414,912
(Long Term Health Care - Insured Program) 6.45%, 11/1/2010 (Insured; CGIC) 5,000,000 4,995,050
(North General Hospital) 7.40%, 2/15/2019............................... 1,000,000 1,021,160
(Refunding - Mortgage Hospital) 8%, 2/15/2025
(Insured; FHA, Prerefunded 8/15/1997) (d)............................. 1,000,000 1,099,180
New York State Mortgage Agency, Revenue:
6.30%, 10/1/2017........................................................ 4,550,000 4,267,354
Homeowner Revenue:
7.50%, 4/1/2016....................................................... 1,000,000 1,031,710
7.50%, 10/1/2017...................................................... 3,000,000 3,087,480
7.55%, 10/1/2017...................................................... 1,000,000 1,035,550
6.45%, 10/1/2020...................................................... 3,960,000 3,874,424
7.80%, 10/1/2020...................................................... 2,000,000 2,067,580
6.65%, 4/1/2022....................................................... 2,000,000 1,943,440
7.95%, 4/1/2022....................................................... 1,950,000 2,015,832
New York State Power Authority, General Purpose Revenue 5%, 1/1/2014........ 7,000,000 5,705,910
New York State Thruway Authority, Service Contract Revenue
(Local Highway and Bridge) 7.25%, 1/1/2010.............................. 4,350,000 4,489,766
New York State Urban Development Corp., Revenue:
(Alfred Technology Resources, Inc. Project) 7.875%, 1/1/2020............ 2,070,000 2,194,283
(Onondaga County Convention Project) 7.875%, 1/1/2020................... 1,000,000 1,066,370
North Country Development Authority, Solid Waste Management System Revenue
6.75%, 7/1/2012......................................................... 4,530,000 4,433,511
Oneida - Herkimer Solid Waste Management Authority, Solid Waste System
Revenue,
Refunding 6.75%, 4/1/2014............................................... 1,600,000 1,525,184
Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, IDR (Albany International
Corp.)
7.55%, 6/1/2007......................................................... 4,000,000 4,218,160
Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency, Civic Facility Revenue
(Long Island Association of Children) 7.35%, 8/1/2009 (LOC; Barclays Bank) (a) 2,040,000 2,073,191
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority:
(Convention Center Project) 7.25%, 1/1/2010............................. 4,500,000 4,654,620
Revenues:
7%, 1/1/2020 (Prerefunded 1/1/2001) (d)............................... 2,550,000 2,785,391
7%, 1/1/2021 (Prerefunded 1/1/2001) (d)............................... 2,000,000 2,177,460
Special Obligation, Refunding 7.10%, 1/1/2010........................... 3,000,000 3,147,120
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) OCTOBER 31, 1994
PRINCIPAL
LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) AMOUNT VALUE
-------------- --------------
U.S. RELATED-9.9%
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority,
Highway Revenue 6.444%, 7/1/2006 (b).................................... $ 7,450,000 $ 6,118,313
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority 7.50%, 7/1/2009 2,000,000 2,132,800
Guam Airport Authority, Revenue 6.60%, 10/1/2010............................ 2,000,000 1,946,920
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Power Revenue 6.375%, 7/1/2024........ 1,500,000 1,420,785
Puerto Rico Housing Finance Corp., SFMR 9.302%, 8/4/2025 (Collateralized; GNMA) (b) 2,000,000 1,762,500
Puerto Rico Industrial Medical and Environmental Pollution Control
Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue:
(Pepsico, Inc. Project) 6.25%, 11/15/2013 (Guaranteed; Pepsico, Inc.). 4,000,000 3,878,800
(Refunding - St Luke's Hospital Project) 6.25%, 6/1/2010.............. 1,100,000 1,062,655
Virgin Islands Port Authority, Airport Revenue (Cyril E. King Airport
Project)
8.10%, 10/1/2005........................................................ 3,500,000 3,759,525
Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority, Revenue:
(Highway - Transportation Trust Fund) 7.70%, 10/1/2004................ 1,750,000 1,877,960
(Refunding - Matching Fund Loan Note) 7.25%, 10/1/2018................ 3,500,000 3,472,280
Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, Electric System Revenue 7.40%, 7/1/2011 1,000,000 1,019,670
--------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
(cost $308,980,015)..................................................... $303,414,002
==============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS
<S> <C> <S> <C>
AMBAC American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation LOC Letter of Credit
CGIC Capital Guaranty Insurance Corporation LR Lease Revenue
COP Certificate of Participation MBIA Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
FHA Federal Housing Administration PCR Pollution Control Revenue
FSA Financial Security Assurance SFMR Single Family Mortgage Revenue
GNMA Government National Mortgage Association SWDR Solid Waste Disposal Revenue
IDR Industrial Development Revenue
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY OF COMBINED RATINGS (UNAUDITED)
FITCH (E) OR MOODY'S OR STANDARD & POOR'S PERCENTAGE OF VALUE
- --------- --------- -------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <S> <C>
AAA Aaa AAA 12.5%
AA Aa AA 19.5
A A A 27.0
BBB Baa BBB 33.3
BB Ba BB 1.6
Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated 6.1
------
100.0%
======
</TABLE>
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS:
(a) Secured by letters of credit.
(b) Inverse floater security - the interest rate is subject to change
periodically.
(c) Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities
Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions exempt from
registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At October 31,
1994, this security amounted to $1,980,000 or .6% of net assets.
(d) Bonds which are prerefunded are collateralized by U.S. Government
securities which are held in escrow and are used to pay principal and
interest on the municipal issue and to retire the bonds in full at the
earliest refunding date.
(e) Fitch currently provides creditworthiness information for a limited
number of investments.
See notes to financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OCTOBER 31, 1994
ASSETS:
<S> <C> <C>
Investments in securities, at value
(cost $308,980,015)-see statement..................................... $303,414,002
Interest receivable..................................................... 6,042,163
Prepaid expenses........................................................ 4,736
--------------
309,460,901
LIABILITIES:
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation.......................................... $ 135,333
Due to Custodian........................................................ 1,148,422
Payable for Common Stock redeemed....................................... 9,649
Accrued expenses and other liabilities.................................. 171,886 1,465,290
----------- --------------
NET ASSETS ................................................................ $307,995,611
==============
REPRESENTED BY:
Paid-in capital......................................................... $311,656,579
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain on investments.............. 1,905,045
Accumulated net unrealized (depreciation) on investments-Note 3......... (5,566,013)
--------------
NET ASSETS at value applicable to 16,443,758 shares outstanding
(100 million shares of $.01 par value Common Stock authorized).......... $307,995,611
==============
NET ASSET VALUE, offering and redemption price per share
($307,995,611 / 16,443,758 shares)...................................... $18.73
========
See notes to financial statements.
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1994
INVESTMENT INCOME:
INTEREST INCOME......................................................... $ 23,013,649
EXPENSES:
Management fee-Note 2(a).............................................. $ 2,150,206
Shareholder servicing costs-Note 2(b)................................. 855,535
Professional fees..................................................... 46,958
Custodian fees........................................................ 43,350
Prospectus and shareholders' reports-Note 2(b)........................ 30,067
Directors' fees and expenses-Note 2(c)................................ 26,033
Registration fees..................................................... 2,345
Miscellaneous......................................................... 36,162
--------------
3,190,656
Less-reduction in management fee due to undertakings-Note 2(a)........ 440,853
--------------
TOTAL EXPENSES.................................................. 2,749,803
-------------
INVESTMENT INCOME-NET........................................... 20,263,846
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:
Net realized gain on investments-Note 3................................. $ 1,906,458
Net unrealized (depreciation) on investments............................ (46,196,850)
--------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS............... (44,290,392)
-------------
NET (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS...................... $(24,026,546)
=============
See notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
--------------------------------
1993 1994
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS:
Investment income-net................................................... $ 20,808,983 $ 20,263,846
Net realized gain on investments........................................ 5,565,671 1,906,458
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments for the year.. 33,345,236 (46,196,850)
-------------- --------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS....... 59,719,890 (24,026,546)
-------------- --------------
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:
Investment income-net................................................... (20,735,883) (20,385,019)
Net realized gain on investments........................................ (4,115,876) (5,588,704)
-------------- --------------
TOTAL DIVIDENDS....................................................... (24,851,759) (25,973,723)
-------------- --------------
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS:
Net proceeds from shares sold........................................... 367,798,322 178,945,529
Dividends reinvested.................................................... 19,356,609 19,895,760
Cost of shares redeemed................................................. (292,270,773) (254,981,061)
-------------- --------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS..... 94,884,158 (56,139,772)
-------------- --------------
TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS........................... 129,752,289 (106,140,041)
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of year....................................................... 284,383,363 414,135,652
-------------- --------------
End of year (including undistributed investment income-net;
$121,173 in 1993)..................................................... $414,135,652 $307,995,611
============== ==============
SHARES SHARES
-------------- --------------
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
Shares sold............................................................. 17,866,847 8,859,506
Shares issued for dividends reinvested.................................. 941,812 980,345
Shares redeemed......................................................... (14,115,202) (12,633,641)
-------------- --------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN SHARES OUTSTANDING......................... 4,693,457 (2,793,790)
============== ==============
See notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Reference is page to page 4 of the Fund's Prospectus dated March 1, 1995.
See notes to financial statements.
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1-SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("Act")
as a non-diversified open-end management investment company. Dreyfus Service
Corporation, until August 24, 1994, acted as the distributor of the Fund's
shares, which are sold to the public without a sales load. Dreyfus Service
Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dreyfus Corporation
("Manager"). Effective August 24, 1994, the Manager became a direct
subsidiary of Mellon Bank, N.A.
On August 24, 1994, Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (the
"Distributor") was engaged as the Fund's distributor. The Distributor,
located at One Exchange Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Institutional Administration Services, Inc., a provider of
mutual fund administration services, the parent company of which is Boston
Institutional Group, Inc.
(A) PORTFOLIO VALUATION: The Fund's investments are valued each business
day by an independent pricing service ("Service") approved by the Board of
Directors. Investments for which quoted bid prices are readily available and
are representative of the bid side of the market in the judgement of the
Service are valued at the mean between the quoted bid prices (as obtained by
the Service from dealers in such securities) and asked prices (as calculated
by the Service based upon its evaluation of the market for such securities).
Other investments (which constitute a majority of the portfolio securities)
are carried at fair value as determined by the Service, based on methods
which include consideration of: yields or prices of municipal securities of
comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from
dealers; and general market conditions. Investments not listed on an
exchange or the national securities market, or securities for which there
were no transactions, are valued at the average of the most recent bid and
asked prices. Bid price is used when no asked price is available.
(B) SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME: Securities
transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gain and loss from
securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Interest
income, adjusted for amortization of premiums and original issue discounts on
investments, is earned from settlement date and recognized on the accrual
basis. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery
basis may be settled a month or more after the trade date.
The Fund follows an investment policy of investing primarily in municipal
obligations of one state. Economic changes affecting the state and certain of
its public bodies and municipalities may affect the ability of issuers within
the state to pay interest on, or repay prinicipal of, municipal obligations
held by the Fund.
(C) DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS: It is the policy of the Fund to declare
dividends daily from investment income-net. Such dividends are paid monthly.
Dividends from net realized capital gain are normally declared and paid
annually, but the Fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to
comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. To
the extent that net realized capital gain can be offset by capital loss
carryovers, if any, it is the policy of the Fund not to distribute such gain.
(D) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES: It is the policy of the Fund to continue to
qualify as a regulated investment company, which can distribute tax exempt
dividends, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code, and to make distributions of income and net realized capital
gain sufficient to relieve it from substantially all Federal income and
excise taxes.
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2-MANAGEMENT FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES:
(A) Pursuant to a management agreement ("Agreement") with the Manager,
the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .60 of 1% of the average
daily value of the Fund's net assets. The Agreement provides that if in any
full fiscal year the aggregate expenses of the Fund, exclusive of taxes,
interest, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses, exceed the
expense limitation of any state having jurisdiction over the Fund, the Fund
may deduct from the payment to be made to the Manager under the Agreement, or
the Manager will bear, the excess expense to the extent required by state
law. However, the Manager had undertaken from November 1, 1993 through April
7, 1994, to reduce the management fee paid by the Fund, to the extent that
the Fund's aggregate expenses (excluding certain expenses as described above)
exceeded specified annual percentages of the Fund's average daily net assets.
The Manager has currently undertaken from April 8, 1994 to waive receipt of
the management fee payable to it by the Fund in excess of an annual rate of
.50 of 1% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The reduction in management
fee, pursuant to the undertakings, amounted to $440,853 for the year ended
October 31, 1994.
The Manager may modify the expense limitation percentages from time to
time, provided that the resulting expense reimbursement would not be less
than the amount required pursuant to the Agreement.
(B) On August 3, 1994, Fund shareholders approved a revised Service Plan
(the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Pursuant to the Plan,
effective August 24, 1994, the Fund (a) reimburses the Distributor for
payments to third parties for distributing the Fund's shares and servicing
shareholder accounts and (b) pays the Manager, Dreyfus Service Corporation or
any affiliate (collectively "Dreyfus") for advertising and marketing relating
to the Fund and servicing Shareholders accounts, at an aggregate annual rate
of .20 of 1% of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets. Each of the
Distributor and Dreyfus may pay Service Agents (a securities dealer,
financial institution or other industry professional) a fee in respect of the
Fund's shares owned by shareholders with whom the Service Agent has a
servicing relationship or for whom the Service Agent is the dealer or holder
of record. Each of the Distributor and Dreyfus determine the amounts to be
paid to Service Agents to which it will make payments and the basis on which
such payments are made. The Plan also separately provides for the Fund to
bear the costs of preparing, printing and distributing certain of the Fund's
prospectuses and statements of additional information and costs associated
with implementing and operating the Plan, not to exceed the greater of
$100,000 or .005 of 1% of the Fund's average daily net assets for any full
fiscal year.
Prior to August 24, 1994, the Fund's Service Plan ("prior Service Plan")
provided that the Fund pay Dreyfus Service Corporation at an annual rate of
.20 of 1% of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets, for costs and
expenses in connection with advertising, marketing and distributing the
Fund's shares and for servicing shareholder accounts. Dreyfus Service
Corporation made payments to one or more Service Agents based on the value of
the Fund's shares owned by clients of the Service Agent. The prior Service
Plan also separately provided for the Fund to bear the costs of preparing,
printing and distributing certain of the Fund's prospectuses and statements
of additional information and costs associated with implementing and
operating the prior Service Plan, not to exceed the greater of $100,000 or
.005 of 1% of the Fund's average daily net assets for any full fiscal year.
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
During the year ended October 31, 1994, $126,661 was charged to the Fund
pursuant to the Plan and $606,032 was charged pursuant to the prior Service
Plan.
(c) Prior to August 24, 1994 certain officers and directors of the Fund
were "affiliated persons," as defined in the Act, of the Manager and/or
Dreyfus Service Corporation. Each director who is not an "affiliated person"
receives an annual fee of $2,500 and an attendence fee of $500 per meeting.
NOTE 3-SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS:
The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities
amounted to $218,281,486 and $278,077,925, respectively, for the year ended
October 31, 1994, and consisted entirely of long-term and short-term
municipal investments.
At October 31, 1994, accumulated net unrealized depreciation on
investments was $5,566,013, consisting of $8,383,052 gross unrealized
appreciation and $13,949,065 gross unrealized depreciation.
At October 31, 1994, the cost of investments for Federal income tax
purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting
purposes (see the Statement of Investments).
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of
General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., including the statement of
investments, as of October 31, 1994, and the related statement of operations
for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of
the two years in the period then ended, and financial highlights for each of
the years indicated therein. These financial statements and financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial
highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and
financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of
securities owned as of October 31, 1994 by correspondence with the custodian.
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights
referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. at October 31, 1994,
the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net
assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial
highlights for each of the indicated years, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
(Ernst and Young LLP Signature Logo)
New York, New York
December 7, 1994
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
_________________________
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits. - List
_______ _________________________________________
(a) Financial Statements:
Included in Part A of the Registration Statement
Condensed Financial Information for the period from November
19, 1984 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 1985 and
for each of the nine years in the period ended October 31,
1994.
Included in Part B of the Registration Statement:
Statement of Investments--October 31, 1994.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities--October 31, 1994.
Statement of Operations--year ended October 31, 1994.
Statement of Changes in Net Assets--for each of the
years ended October 31, 1993 and October 31, 1994.
Notes to Financial Statements.
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors, dated
December 7, 1994.
Schedules No. I through VII and other financial statement information, for
which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, are either omitted because they are not
required under the related instructions, they are inapplicable, or the
required information is presented in the financial statements or notes
thereto which are included in Part B of the Registration Statement.
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits. - List (continued)
_______ _____________________________________________________
(b) Exhibits:
(1) Registrant's Articles of Incorporation and Articles of Amendment
are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1) of Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed
on November 9, 1984, and Exhibit (1)(b) of Post-Effective
Amendment No. 15 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed
on February 26, 1993.
(2) Registrant's By-Laws, as amended, are incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 1989.
(5) Management Agreement.
(6)(a) Distribution Agreement.
(6)(b) Forms of Service Agreements.
(8)(a) Amended and Restated Custody Agreement is incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 8(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January 18,
1994.
(8)(b) Sub-Custodian Agreements are incorporated by reference to Exhibit
8(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January 18, 1994.
(10) Opinion and consent of Registrant's counsel.
(11) Consent of Independent Auditors.
(15) Service Plan.
(16) Schedules of Computation of Performance Data are incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (16) of Post-effective Amendment No. 16 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 18, 1994.
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits. - List (continued)
_______ _____________________________________________________
Other Exhibits
______________
(a) Powers of Attorney.
(b) Certificate of Secretary.
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.
_______ ______________________________________________________________
Not Applicable
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities.
_______ ________________________________
(1) (2)
Number of Record
Title of Class Holders as of December 12, 1994
______________ _______________________________
Common Stock
(Par value $.01) 7,438
Item 27. Indemnification
_______ _______________
The Statement as to the general effect of any contract,
arrangements or statute under which a director, officer,
underwriter or affiliated person of the Registrant is insured or
indemnified in any manner against any liability which may be
incurred in such capacity, other than insurance provided by any
director, officer, affiliated person or underwriter for their own
protection, is incorporated by reference to Item 4 of Part II of
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A, filed on December 22, 1989.
Reference is also made to the Distribution Agreement attached as
Exhibit (6)(a) hereto.
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
_______ ____________________________________________________
The Dreyfus Corporation ("Dreyfus") and subsidiary companies
comprise a financial service organization whose business
consists primarily of providing investment management services
as the investment adviser and manager for sponsored investment
companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940
and as an investment adviser to institutional and individual
accounts. Dreyfus also serves as sub-investment adviser to
and/or administrator of other investment companies. Dreyfus
Service Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus,
serves primarily as a registered broker-dealer of shares of
investment companies sponsored by Dreyfus and of other
investment companies for which Dreyfus acts as investment
adviser, sub-investment adviser or administrator. Dreyfus
Management, Inc., another wholly-owned subsidiary, provides
investment management services to various pension plans,
institutions and individuals.
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (continued)
________ ________________________________________________________________
Officers and Directors of Investment Adviser
____________________________________________
Name and Position
with Dreyfus Other Businesses
_________________ ________________
MANDELL L. BERMAN Real estate consultant and private investor
Director 29100 Northwestern Highway, Suite 370
Southfield, Michigan 48034;
Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of
Skillman Foundation.
Member of The Board of Vintners Intl.
FRANK V. CAHOUET Chairman of the Board, President and
Director Chief Executive Officer:
Mellon Bank Corporation
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258;
Mellon Bank, N.A.
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258
Director:
Avery Dennison Corporation
150 North Orange Grove Boulevard
Pasadena, California 91103;
Saint-Gobain Corporation
750 East Swedesford Road
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 19482;
Teledyne, Inc.
1901 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, California 90067
ALVIN E. FRIEDMAN Senior Adviser to Dillon, Read & Co. Inc.
Director 535 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022;
Director and member of the Executive
Committee of Avnet, Inc.**
DAVID B. TRUMAN Educational consultant;
Director Past President of the Russell Sage Foundation
230 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017;
Past President of Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, Massachusetts 01075;
Former Director:
Student Loan Marketing Association
1055 Thomas Jefferson Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006;
Former Trustee:
College Retirement Equities Fund
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
HOWARD STEIN Chairman of the Board:
Chairman of the Board and Dreyfus Acquisition Corporation*;
Chief Executive Officer The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
Dreyfus Land Development Corporation*;
Dreyfus Management, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer:
Major Trading Corporation*;
Director:
Avnet, Inc.**;
Dreyfus America Fund++++
The Dreyfus Fund International
Limited+++++
World Balanced Fund+++
Dreyfus Partnership Management,
Inc.*;
Dreyfus Personal Management, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Realty Advisors, Inc.+++;
Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.*;
The Dreyfus Trust Company++;
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.*;
Trustee:
Corporate Property Investors
New York, New York;
JULIAN M. SMERLING Director and Executive Vice President:
Vice Chairman of the Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
Board of Directors Director and Vice President:
Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.*;
Vice Chairman and Director:
The Dreyfus Trust Company++;
The Dreyfus Trust Company (N.J.)++;
Director:
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
Dreyfus Partnership Management, Inc.*;
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.*
JOSEPH S. DiMARTINO Director and Chairman of the Board:
President, and The Dreyfus Trust Company++;
Director Director and President:
Dreyfus Acquisition Corporation*;
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
Dreyfus Partnership Management, Inc.*;
The Dreyfus Trust Company (N.J.)++;
Director and Executive Vice President:
Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
Director and Vice President:
Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.*;
JOSEPH S. DiMARTINO Director:
(cont'd) Dreyfus Management, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Personal Management, Inc.*;
Noel Group, Inc.
667 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10021;
Trustee:
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania 17837;
Vice President and former Treasurer and
Director:
National Muscular Dystrophy Association
810 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019;
President, Chief Operating Officer and
Director:
Major Trading Corporation*
W. KEITH SMITH Chairman and Chief Executive Officer:
Chief Operating Officer The Boston Company
One Boston Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
Vice Chairman of the Board:
Mellon Bank Corporation
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258;
Mellon Bank, N.A.
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258
Director:
Dentsply International, Inc.
570 West College Avenue
York, Pennsylvania 17405
PAUL H. SNYDER Director:
Vice President and Chief Pennsylvania Economy League
Financial Officer Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
Children's Crisis Treatment Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
Director and Vice President:
Financial Executives Institute,
Philadelphia Chapter
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
LAWRENCE S. KASH Chairman, President and Chief
Vice Chairman, Distribution Executive Officer:
The Boston Company Advisors, Inc.
53 State Street
Exchange Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
President:
The Boston Company
One Boston Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02108;
Laurel Capital Advisors
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258;
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.
LAWRENCE S. KASH Executive Vice President
(cont'd) Mellon Bank, N.A.
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258;
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust
One Boston Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
JAY R. DEMARTINE Chairman of the Board and President:
Vice President, Marketing The Woodbury Society
16 Woodbury Lane
Ogunquit, ME 03907;
Former Managing Director:
Bankers Trust Company
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017;
BARBARA E. CASEY President:
Vice President, Dreyfus Retirement Services;
Retirement Services Executive Vice President:
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co.
One Boston Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02108;
DIANE M. COFFEY None
Vice President,
Corporate Communications
LAWRENCE M. GREENE Chairman of the Board:
Legal Consultant and The Dreyfus Security Savings
Director Bank, F.S.B.+;
Director and Executive Vice President:
Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
Director and Vice President:
Dreyfus Acquisition Corporation*;
Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.*;
Director:
Dreyfus-Lincoln, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Management, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Thrift & Commerce+++;
The Dreyfus Trust Company (N.J.)++;
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.*;
ROBERT F. DUBUSS Director and Treasurer:
Vice President Major Trading Corporation*;
Director and Vice President:
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
The Truepenny Corporation*;
Treasurer:
Dreyfus Management, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
Director:
The Dreyfus Trust Company++;
The Dreyfus Trust Company (N.J.)++;
Dreyfus Thrift & Commerce****
ELIE M. GENADRY President:
Vice President, Institutional Services Division of Dreyfus
Wholesale Service Corporation*;
Broker-Dealer Division of Dreyfus Service
Corporation*;
Group Retirement Plans Division of Dreyfus
Service Corporation;
Executive Vice President:
Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.*;
Vice President:
The Dreyfus Trust Company++;
Vice President-Sales:
The Dreyfus Trust Company (N.J.)++;
DANIEL C. MACLEAN Director, Vice President and Secretary:
Vice President and General Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc.*;
Counsel Director and Vice President:
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
The Dreyfus Trust Company (N.J.)++;
Director and Secretary:
Dreyfus Partnership Management, Inc.*;
Major Trading Corporation*;
The Truepenny Corporation+;
Director:
The Dreyfus Trust Company++;
Secretary:
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.*;
JEFFREY N. NACHMAN None
Vice President, Fund
Administration
PHILIP L. TOIA Chairman of the Board and Vice President:
Vice Chairman, Operations Dreyfus Thrift & Commerce****;
and Administration Director:
The Dreyfus Security Savings Bank F.S.B.+;
Senior Loan Officer and Director:
The Dreyfus Trust Company++;
Vice President:
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
President and Director:
Dreyfus Personal Management, Inc.*;
Director:
Dreyfus Realty Advisors, Inc.+++;
Formerly, Senior Vice President:
The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. and
The Chase Manhattan Capital Markets
Corporation
One Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, New York 10081
KATHERINE C. WICKHAM Formerly, Assistant Commissioner:
Vice President, Department of Parks and Recreation of the
Human Resources City of New York
830 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10022
MAURICE BENDRIHEM Treasurer:
Controller Dreyfus Partnership Management, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.*;
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.*;
The Truepenny Corporation*;
Controller:
Dreyfus Acquisition Corporation*;
The Dreyfus Trust Company++;
The Dreyfus Trust Company (N.J.)++;
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
Assistant Treasurer:
Dreyfus Precious Metals*
Formerly, Vice President-Financial Planning,
Administration and Tax:
Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc.
1633 Broadway
New York, New York 10019
MARK N. JACOBS Secretary:
Vice President, Fund The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
Legal and Compliance Dreyfus Management, Inc.*;
Assistant Secretary:
Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.*;
Major Trading Corporation*;
The Truepenny Corporation*
CHRISTINE PAVALOS Assistant Secretary:
Assistant Secretary Dreyfus Management, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
The Truepenny Corporation*
______________________________________
* The address of the business so indicated is 200 Park Avenue, New
York, New York 10166.
** The address of the business so indicated is 80 Cutter Mill Road,
Great Neck, New York 11021.
*** The address of the business so indicated is 45 Broadway, New York,
New York 10006.
**** The address of the business so indicated is Five Triad Center, Salt
Lake City, Utah 84180.
+ The address of the business so indicated is Atrium Building, 80 Route
4 East, Paramus, New Jersey 07652.
++ The address of the business so indicated is 144 Glenn Curtiss
Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144.
+++ The address of the business so indicated is One Rockefeller Plaza,
New York, New York 10020.
++++ The address of the business so indicated is 2 Boulevard Royal,
Luxembourg.
+++++ The address of the business so indicated is Nassau, Bahama Islands.
Item 29. Principal Underwriters
________ ______________________
(a) Other investment companies for which Registrant's principal
underwriter (exclusive distributor) acts as principal underwriter or
exclusive distributor:
1) Comstock Partners Strategy Fund, Inc.
2) Dreyfus A Bonds Plus, Inc.
3) Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Inc.
4) Dreyfus Asset Allocation Fund, Inc.
5) Dreyfus Balanced Fund, Inc.
6) Dreyfus BASIC Money Market Fund, Inc.
7) Dreyfus BASIC Municipal Fund
8) Dreyfus BASIC U.S. Government Money Market Fund
9) Dreyfus California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
10) Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
11) Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
12) Dreyfus Capital Value Fund, Inc.
13) Dreyfus Cash Management
14) Dreyfus Cash Management Plus, Inc.
15) Dreyfus Connecticut Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
16) Dreyfus Connecticut Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
17) The Dreyfus Convertible Securities Fund, Inc.
18) Dreyfus Edison Electric Index Fund, Inc.
19) Dreyfus Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
20) Dreyfus Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
21) Dreyfus Focus Funds, Inc.
22) The Dreyfus Fund Incorporated
23) Dreyfus Global Bond Fund, Inc.
24) Dreyfus Global Growth, L.P. (A Strategic Fund)
25) Dreyfus Global Investing, Inc.
26) Dreyfus GNMA Fund, Inc.
27) Dreyfus Government Cash Management
28) Dreyfus Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
29) Dreyfus Growth Opportunity Fund, Inc.
30) Dreyfus Institutional Money Market Fund
31) Dreyfus Institutional Short Term Treasury Fund
32) Dreyfus Insured Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
33) Dreyfus Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
34) Dreyfus International Equity Fund, Inc.
35) Dreyfus Investors GNMA Fund
36) The Dreyfus Leverage Fund, Inc.
37) Dreyfus Life and Annuity Index Fund, Inc.
38) Dreyfus Liquid Assets, Inc.
39) Dreyfus Massachusetts Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
40) Dreyfus Massachusetts Municipal Money Market Fund
41) Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund
42) Dreyfus Michigan Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
43) Dreyfus Money Market Instruments, Inc.
44) Dreyfus Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
45) Dreyfus Municipal Cash Management Plus
46) Dreyfus Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
47) Dreyfus New Jersey Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
48) Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
49) Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
50) Dreyfus New Leaders Fund, Inc.
51) Dreyfus New York Insured Tax Exempt Bond Fund
52) Dreyfus New York Municipal Cash Management
53) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
54) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Intermediate Bond Fund
55) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
56) Dreyfus Ohio Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
57) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Intermediate Term Fund
58) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund
59) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
60) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Short Term Fund
61) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
62) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund
63) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Government Fund
64) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
65) Dreyfus Short-Term Income Fund, Inc.
66) The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.
67) Dreyfus Strategic Growth, L.P.
68) Dreyfus Strategic Income
69) Dreyfus Strategic Investing
70) Dreyfus Tax Exempt Cash Management
71) Dreyfus Treasury Cash Management
72) Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management
73) Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund
74) Dreyfus-Wilshire Target Funds, Inc.
75) Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc.
76) First Prairie Cash Management
77) First Prairie Diversified Asset Fund
78) First Prairie Money Market Fund
79) First Prairie Municipal Money Market Fund
80) First Prairie Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
81) First Prairie U.S. Government Income Fund
82) First Prairie U.S. Treasury Securities Cash Management
83) General California Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
84) General California Municipal Money Market Fund
85) General Government Securities Money Market Fund, Inc.
86) General Money Market Fund, Inc.
87) General Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
88) General Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
89) General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
90) General New York Municipal Money Market Fund
91) Pacific American Fund
92) Peoples Index Fund, Inc.
93) Peoples S&P MidCap Index Fund, Inc.
94) Premier Insured Municipal Bond Fund
95) Premier California Municipal Bond Fund
96) Premier GNMA Fund
97) Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
98) Premier Municipal Bond Fund
99) Premier New York Municipal Bond Fund
100) Premier State Municipal Bond Fund
(b)
Positions and
Name and principal Positions and offices with offices with
business address the Distributor Registrant
__________________ ___________________________ _____________
Marie E. Connolly Director, President and Chief President and
Operating Officer Treasurer
Joseph F. Tower, III Senior Vice President and Chief Assistant
Financial Officer Treasurer
John E. Pelletier Senior Vice President and General Vice President
Counsel and Secretary
Frederick C. Dey Senior Vice President Vice President
and Assistant
Treasurer
Eric B. Fischman Vice President and Associate Vice President
General Counsel and Assistant
Secretary
John J. Pyburn Vice President Assistant
Treasurer
Jean M. O'Leary Assistant Secretary None
Ruth D. Leibert Assistant Vice President Assistant
Secretary
Paul D. Furcinito Assistant Vice President Assistant
Secretary
John W. Gomez Director None
William J. Nutt Director None
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
________________________________
1. The Shareholder Services Group, Inc.,
a subsidiary of First Data Corporation
P.O. Box 9671
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671
2. The Bank of New York
110 Washington Street
New York, New York 10286
3. The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
Item 31. Management Services
_______ ___________________
Not Applicable
Item 32. Undertakings
________ ____________
(1) To call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon
the question of removal of a director or directors when
requested in writing to do so by the holders of at least 10% of
the Registrant's outstanding shares of common stock and in
connection with such meeting to comply with the provisions of
Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to
shareholder communications.
(2) To furnish each person to whom a prospectus is delivered with a
copy of the Fund's latest Annual Report to Shareholders, upon
request and without charge.
SIGNATURES
__________
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment
to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, and State of New York on
the 30th day of December, 1994.
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
BY: /s/Marie E. Connolly*
MARIE E. CONNOLLY, PRESIDENT
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, this Amendment to the Registration Statement
has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the
date indicated.
Signatures Title Date
__________________________ ______________________________ __________
/s/Marie E. Connolly * President (Principal Executive 12/30/94
____________________________ Officer) and Treasurer (Principal
Marie E. Connolly Financial Officer)
/s/Clifford L. Alexander, Jr.* Director 12/30/94
____________________________
Clifford L. Alexander, Jr.
/s/ Peggy C. Davis* Director 12/30/94
____________________________
Peggy C. Davis
/s/Ernest Kafka* Director 12/30/94
____________________________
Ernest Kafka
/s/Saul B. Klaman* Director 12/30/94
____________________________
Saul B. Klaman
/s/Nathan Leventhal* Director 12/30/94
____________________________
Nathan Leventhal
*BY: /s/ Eric B. Fischman
_______________________
Eric B. Fischman,
Attorney-in-Fact
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
Page
(5) Management Agreement. . . . . . . . . . .
(6)(a) Distribution Agreement. . . . . . . . . .
(6)(b) Forms of Service Agreement. . . . . . . .
(10) Opinion and Consent of Registrant's
Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(11) Consent of Independent Auditors . . . . .
(15) Service Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other Exhibits
(a) Powers of Attorney. . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Certificate of Secretary. . . . . . . . .
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
August 24, 1994
The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
Dear Sirs:
The above-named investment company (the "Fund")
herewith confirms its agreement with you as follows:
The Fund desires to employ its capital by investing and
reinvesting the same in investments of the type and in accordance
with the limitations specified in its charter documents and in
its Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information as from
time to time in effect, copies of which have been or will be
submitted to you, and in such manner and to such extent as from
time to time may be approved by the Fund's Board. The Fund
desires to employ you to act as its investment adviser.
In this connection it is understood that from time to
time you will employ or associate with yourself such person or
persons as you may believe to be particularly fitted to assist
you in the performance of this Agreement. Such person or persons
may be officers or employees who are employed by both you and the
Fund. The compensation of such person or persons shall be paid
by you and no obligation may be incurred on the Fund's behalf in
any such respect.
Subject to the supervision and approval of the Fund's
Board, you will provide investment management of the Fund's
portfolio in accordance with the Fund's investment objectives and
policies as stated in its Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information as from time to time in effect. In connection
therewith, you will obtain and provide investment research and
will supervise the Fund's investments and conduct a continuous
program of investment, evaluation and, if appropriate, sale and
reinvestment of the Fund's assets. You will furnish to the Fund
such statistical information, with respect to the investments
which the Fund may hold or contemplate purchasing, as the Fund
may reasonably request. The Fund wishes to be informed of
important developments materially affecting its portfolio and
shall expect you, on your own initiative, to furnish to the Fund
from time to time such information as you may believe appropriate
for this purpose.
In addition, you will supply office facilities (which
may be in your own offices), data processing services, clerical,
accounting and bookkeeping services, internal auditing and legal
services, internal executive and administrative services, and
stationery and office supplies; prepare reports to the Fund's
stockholders, tax returns, reports to and filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and state Blue Sky
authorities; calculate the net asset value of the Fund's shares;
and generally assist in all aspects of the Fund's operations.
You shall have the right, at your expense, to engage other
entities to assist you in performing some or all of the
obligations set forth in this paragraph, provided each such
entity enters into an agreement with you in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Fund. You agree to be liable for
the acts or omissions of each such entity to the same extent as
if you had acted or failed to act under the circumstances.
You shall exercise your best judgment in rendering the
services to be provided to the Fund hereunder and the Fund agrees
as an inducement to your undertaking the same that you shall not
be liable hereunder for any error of judgment or mistake of law
or for any loss suffered by the Fund, provided that nothing
herein shall be deemed to protect or purport to protect you
against any liability to the Fund or to its security holders to
which you would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of
your duties hereunder, or by reason of your reckless disregard of
your obligations and duties hereunder.
In consideration of services rendered pursuant to this
Agreement, the Fund will pay you on the first business day of
each month a fee at the annual rate of .60 of 1% of the value of
the Fund's average daily net assets. Net asset value shall be
computed on such days and at such time or times as described in
the Fund's then-current Prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the
end of any month, the fee for such part of a month shall be pro-
rated according to the proportion which such period bears to the
full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of
termination of this Agreement.
For the purpose of determining fees payable to you, the
value of the Fund's net assets shall be computed in the manner
specified in the Fund's charter documents for the computation of
the value of the Fund's net assets.
You will bear all expenses in connection with the
performance of your services under this Agreement. All other
expenses to be incurred in the operation of the Fund will be
borne by the Fund, except to the extent specifically assumed by
you. The expenses to be borne by the Fund include, without
limitation, the following: organizational costs, taxes,
interest, loan commitment fees, interest and distributions paid
on securities sold short, brokerage fees and commissions, if any,
fees of Board members who are not your officers, directors or
employees or holders of 5% or more of your outstanding voting
securities, Securities and Exchange Commission fees and state
Blue Sky qualification fees, advisory fees, charges of
custodians, transfer and dividend disbursing agents' fees,
certain insurance premiums, industry association fees, outside
auditing and legal expenses, costs of independent pricing
services, costs of maintaining the Fund's existence, costs
attributable to investor services (including, without limitation,
telephone and personnel expenses), costs of preparing and
printing prospectuses and statements of additional information
for regulatory purposes and for distribution to existing
stockholders, costs of stockholders' reports and meetings, and
any extraordinary expenses.
If in any fiscal year the aggregate expenses of the
Fund (including fees pursuant to this Agreement, but excluding
interest, taxes, brokerage and, with the prior written consent of
the necessary state securities commissions, extraordinary
expenses) exceed 1-1/2% of the average value of the Fund's net
assets for the fiscal year, the Fund may deduct from the fees to
be paid hereunder, or you will bear, such excess expense. Your
obligation pursuant hereto will be limited to the amount of your
fees hereunder. Such deduction or payment, if any, will be
estimated daily, and reconciled and effected or paid, as the case
may be, on a monthly basis.
The Fund understands that you now act, and that from
time to time hereafter you may act, as investment adviser to one
or more other investment companies and fiduciary or other managed
accounts, and the Fund has no objection to your so acting,
provided that when the purchase or sale of securities of the same
issuer is suitable for the investment objectives of two or more
companies or accounts managed by you which have available funds
for investment, the available securities will be allocated in a
manner believed by you to be equitable to each company or
account. It is recognized that in some cases this procedure may
adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the
size of the position obtainable for or disposed of by the Fund.
In addition, it is understood that the persons employed
by you to assist in the performance of your duties hereunder will
not devote their full time to such service and nothing contained
herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict your right or the
right of any of your affiliates to engage in and devote time and
attention to other businesses or to render services of whatever
kind or nature.
You shall not be liable for any error of judgment or
mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection
with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except for a
loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on your part in the performance of your duties or from
reckless disregard by you of your obligations and duties under
this Agreement. Any person, even though also your officer,
director, partner, employee or agent, who may be or become an
officer, Board member, employee or agent of the Fund, shall be
deemed, when rendering services to the Fund or acting on any
business of the Fund, to be rendering such services to or acting
solely for the Fund and not as your officer, director, partner,
employee or agent or one under your control or direction even
though paid by you.
This Agreement shall continue until October 4, 1994,
and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual
periods ending on October 4th of each year, provided such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the
Fund's Board or (ii) vote of a majority (as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940) of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities, provided that in either event its continuance also is
approved by a majority of the Fund's Board members who are not
"interested persons" (as defined in said Act) of any party to
this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such approval. This Agreement is
terminable without penalty, on 60 days' notice, by the Fund's
Board or by vote of holders of a majority of the Fund's shares
or, upon not less than 90 days' notice, by you. This Agreement
also will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment
(as defined in said Act).
If the foregoing is in accordance with your
understanding, will you kindly so indicate by signing and
returning to us the enclosed copy hereof.
Very truly yours,
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL
BOND FUND, INC.
By:________________________
Accepted:
THE DREYFUS CORPORATION
By:_______________________________
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard
Uniondale, New York 11556-0144
August 24, 1994
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
One Exchange Place
Tenth Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Dear Sirs:
This is to confirm that, in consideration of the agree-
ments hereinafter contained, the above-named investment company
(the "Fund") has agreed that you shall be, for the period of
this agreement, the distributor of (a) shares of each Series of
the Fund set forth on Exhibit A hereto, as such Exhibit may be
revised from time to time (each, a "Series") or (b) if no Series
are set forth on such Exhibit, shares of the Fund. For purposes
of this agreement the term "Shares" shall mean the authorized
shares of the relevant Series, if any, and otherwise shall mean
the Fund's authorized shares.
1. Services as Distributor
1.1 You will act as agent for the distribution of
Shares covered by, and in accordance with, the registration
statement and prospectus then in effect under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and will transmit promptly any orders
received by you for purchase or redemption of Shares to the
Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent for the Fund of which the
Fund has notified you in writing.
1.2 You agree to use your best efforts to solicit
orders for the sale of Shares. It is contemplated that you will
enter into sales or servicing agreements with securities
dealers, financial institutions and other industry
professionals, such as investment advisers, accountants and
estate planning firms, and in so doing you will act only on your
own behalf as principal.
1.3 You shall act as distributor of Shares in
compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations,
including, without limitation, all rules and regulations made or
adopted pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
securities association registered under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.
1.4 Whenever in their judgment such action is
warranted by market, economic or political conditions, or by
abnormal circumstances of any kind, the Fund's officers may
decline to accept any orders for, or make any sales of, any
Shares until such time as they deem it advisable to accept such
orders and to make such sales and the Fund shall advise you
promptly of such determination.
1.5 The Fund agrees to pay all costs and expenses in
connection with the registration of Shares under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and all expenses in connection with
maintaining facilities for the issue and transfer of Shares and
for supplying information, prices and other data to be furnished
by the Fund hereunder, and all expenses in connection with the
preparation and printing of the Fund's prospectuses and
statements of additional information for regulatory purposes and
for distribution to shareholders; provided however, that nothing
contained herein shall be deemed to require the Fund to pay any
of the costs of advertising the sale of Shares.
1.6 The Fund agrees to execute any and all documents
and to furnish any and all information and otherwise to take all
actions which may be reasonably necessary in the discretion of
the Fund's officers in connection with the qualification of
Shares for sale in such states as you may designate to the Fund
and the Fund may approve, and the Fund agrees to pay all
expenses which may be incurred in connection with such
qualification. You shall pay all expenses connected with your
own qualification as a dealer under state or Federal laws and,
except as otherwise specifically provided in this agreement, all
other expenses incurred by you in connection with the sale of
Shares as contemplated in this agreement.
1.7 The Fund shall furnish you from time to time, for
use in connection with the sale of Shares, such information with
respect to the Fund or any relevant Series and the Shares as you
may reasonably request, all of which shall be signed by one or
more of the Fund's duly authorized officers; and the Fund
warrants that the statements contained in any such information,
when so signed by the Fund's officers, shall be true and
correct. The Fund also shall furnish you upon request with:
(a) semi-annual reports and annual audited reports of the Fund's
books and accounts made by independent public accountants
regularly retained by the Fund, (b) quarterly earnings
statements prepared by the Fund, (c) a monthly itemized list of
the securities in the Fund's or, if applicable, each Series'
portfolio, (d) monthly balance sheets as soon as practicable
after the end of each month, and (e) from time to time such
additional information regarding the Fund's financial condition
as you may reasonably request.
1.8 The Fund represents to you that all registration
statements and prospectuses filed by the Fund with the Securi-
ties and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, with respect to the Shares have been carefully prepared
in conformity with the requirements of said Acts and rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission there-
under. As used in this agreement the terms "registration state-
ment" and "prospectus" shall mean any registration statement and
prospectus, including the statement of additional information
incorporated by reference therein, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and any amendments and supplements thereto
which at any time shall have been filed with said Commission.
The Fund represents and warrants to you that any registration
statement and prospectus, when such registration statement
becomes effective, will contain all statements required to be
stated therein in conformity with said Acts and the rules and
regulations of said Commission; that all statements of fact
contained in any such registration statement and prospectus will
be true and correct when such registration statement becomes
effective; and that neither any registration statement nor any
prospectus when such registration statement becomes effective
will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading. The Fund may but
shall not be obligated to propose from time to time such amend-
ment or amendments to any registration statement and such
supplement or supplements to any prospectus as, in the light of
future developments, may, in the opinion of the Fund's counsel,
be necessary or advisable. If the Fund shall not propose such
amendment or amendments and/or supplement or supplements within
fifteen days after receipt by the Fund of a written request from
you to do so, you may, at your option, terminate this agreement
or decline to make offers of the Fund's securities until such
amendments are made. The Fund shall not file any amendment to
any registration statement or supplement to any prospectus
without giving you reasonable notice thereof in advance;
provided, however, that nothing contained in this agreement
shall in any way limit the Fund's right to file at any time such
amendments to any registration statement and/or supplements to
any prospectus, of whatever character, as the Fund may deem
advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and
unconditional.
1.9 The Fund authorizes you to use any prospectus in
the form furnished to you from time to time, in connection with
the sale of Shares. The Fund agrees to indemnify, defend and
hold you, your several officers and directors, and any person
who controls you within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securi-
ties Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless from and against
any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including
the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or
liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection there-
with) which you, your officers and directors, or any such con-
trolling person, may incur under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or under common law or otherwise, arising out of or
based upon any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of
a material fact contained in any registration statement or any
prospectus or arising out of or based upon any omission, or
alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated
in either any registration statement or any prospectus or
necessary to make the statements in either thereof not
misleading; provided, however, that the Fund's agreement to
indemnify you, your officers or directors, and any such control-
ling person shall not be deemed to cover any claims, demands,
liabilities or expenses arising out of any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in
any registration statement or prospectus in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Fund by you
specifically for use in the preparation thereof. The Fund's
agreement to indemnify you, your officers and directors, and any
such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned
upon the Fund's being notified of any action brought against
you, your officers or directors, or any such controlling person,
such notification to be given by letter or by telegram addressed
to the Fund at its address set forth above within ten days after
the summons or other first legal process shall have been served.
The failure so to notify the Fund of any such action shall not
relieve the Fund from any liability which the Fund may have to
the person against whom such action is brought by reason of any
such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or
alleged omission, otherwise than on account of the Fund's
indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph 1.9. The Fund
will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit brought to
enforce any such claim, demand or liability, but, in such case,
such defense shall be conducted by counsel of good standing
chosen by the Fund and approved by you. In the event the Fund
elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain counsel
of good standing approved by you, the defendant or defendants in
such suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional
counsel retained by any of them; but in case the Fund does not
elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case you do
not approve of counsel chosen by the Fund, the Fund will
reimburse you, your officers and directors, or the controlling
person or persons named as defendant or defendants in such suit,
for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by you or
them. The Fund's indemnification agreement contained in this
paragraph 1.9 and the Fund's representations and warranties in
this agreement shall remain operative and in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
you, your officers and directors, or any controlling person, and
shall survive the delivery of any Shares. This agreement of
indemnity will inure exclusively to your benefit, to the benefit
of your several officers and directors, and their respective
estates, and to the benefit of any controlling persons and their
successors. The Fund agrees promptly to notify you of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Fund
or any of its officers or Board members in connection with the
issue and sale of Shares.
1.10 You agree to indemnify, defend and hold the Fund,
its several officers and Board members, and any person who con-
trols the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securi-
ties Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless from and against
any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including
the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or
liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection there-
with) which the Fund, its officers or Board members, or any such
controlling person, may incur under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or under common law or otherwise, but only to the
extent that such liability or expense incurred by the Fund, its
officers or Board members, or such controlling person resulting
from such claims or demands, shall arise out of or be based upon
any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact
contained in information furnished in writing by you to the Fund
specifically for use in the Fund's registration statement and
used in the answers to any of the items of the registration
statement or in the corresponding statements made in the pro-
spectus, or shall arise out of or be based upon any omission, or
alleged omission, to state a material fact in connection with
such information furnished in writing by you to the Fund and
required to be stated in such answers or necessary to make such
information not misleading. Your agreement to indemnify the
Fund, its officers and Board members, and any such controlling
person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon your being
notified of any action brought against the Fund, its officers or
Board members, or any such controlling person, such notification
to be given by letter or telegram addressed to you at your
address set forth above within ten days after the summons or
other first legal process shall have been served. You shall
have the right to control the defense of such action, with
counsel of your own choosing, satisfactory to the Fund, if such
action is based solely upon such alleged misstatement or
omission on your part, and in any other event the Fund, its
officers or Board members, or such controlling person shall each
have the right to participate in the defense or preparation of
the defense of any such action. The failure so to notify you of
any such action shall not relieve you from any liability which
you may have to the Fund, its officers or Board members, or to
such controlling person by reason of any such untrue, or alleged
untrue, statement or omission, or alleged omission, otherwise
than on account of your indemnity agreement contained in this
paragraph 1.10. This agreement of indemnity will inure
exclusively to the Fund's benefit, to the benefit of the Fund's
officers and Board members, and their respective estates, and to
the benefit of any controlling persons and their successors.
You agree promptly to notify the Fund of the commencement of any
litigation or proceedings against you or any of your officers or
directors in connection with the issue and sale of Shares.
1.11 No Shares shall be offered by either you or the
Fund under any of the provisions of this agreement and no orders
for the purchase or sale of such Shares hereunder shall be
accepted by the Fund if and so long as the effectiveness of the
registration statement then in effect or any necessary amend-
ments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or if and so long as a
current prospectus as required by Section 10 of said Act, as
amended, is not on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission; provided, however, that nothing contained in this
paragraph 1.11 shall in any way restrict or have an application
to or bearing upon the Fund's obligation to repurchase any
Shares from any shareholder in accordance with the provisions of
the Fund's prospectus or charter documents.
1.12 The Fund agrees to advise you immediately in
writing:
(a) of any request by the Securities and Exchange
Commission for amendments to the registration statement
or prospectus then in effect or for additional
information;
(b) in the event of the issuance by the Securities
and Exchange Commission of any stop order suspending
the effectiveness of the registration statement or pro-
spectus then in effect or the initiation of any
proceeding for that purpose;
(c) of the happening of any event which makes
untrue any statement of a material fact made in the
registration statement or prospectus then in effect or
which requires the making of a change in such registra-
tion statement or prospectus in order to make the
statements therein not misleading; and
(d) of all actions of the Securities and
Exchange Commission with respect to any amendments to
any registration statement or prospectus which may from
time to time be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
2. Offering Price
Shares of any class of the Fund offered for sale by you
shall be offered for sale at a price per share (the "offering
price") approximately equal to (a) their net asset value
(determined in the manner set forth in the Fund's charter
documents) plus (b) a sales charge, if any and except to those
persons set forth in the then-current prospectus, which shall be
the percentage of the offering price of such Shares as set forth
in the Fund's then-current prospectus. The offering price, if
not an exact multiple of one cent, shall be adjusted to the
nearest cent. In addition, Shares of any class of the Fund
offered for sale by you may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge as set forth in the Fund's then-current prospectus.
You shall be entitled to receive any sales charge or contingent
deferred sales charge in respect of the Shares. Any payments to
dealers shall be governed by a separate agreement between you
and such dealer and the Fund's then-current prospectus.
3. Term
This agreement shall continue until the date (the
"Reapproval Date") set forth on Exhibit A hereto (and, if the
Fund has Series, a separate Reapproval Date shall be specified
on Exhibit A for each Series), and thereafter shall continue
automatically for successive annual periods ending on the day
(the "Reapproval Day") of each year set forth on Exhibit A
hereto, provided such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by (i) the Fund's Board or (ii) vote of a
majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of
the Shares of the Fund or the relevant Series, as the case may
be, provided that in either event its continuance also is
approved by a majority of the Board members who are not
"interested persons" (as defined in said Act) of any party to
this agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such approval. This agreement is
terminable without penalty, on 60 days' notice, by vote of
holders of a majority of the Fund's or, as to any relevant
Series, such Series' outstanding voting securities or by the
Fund's Board as to the Fund or the relevant Series, as the case
may be. This agreement is terminable by you, upon 270 days'
notice, effective on or after the fifth anniversary of the date
hereof. This agreement also will terminate automatically, as to
the Fund or relevant Series, as the case may be, in the event of
its assignment (as defined in said Act).
4. Exclusivity
So long as you act as the distributor of Shares, you
shall not perform any services for any entity other than
investment companies advised or administered by The Dreyfus
Corporation. The Fund acknowledges that the persons employed by
you to assist in the performance of your duties under this
agreement may not devote their full time to such service and
nothing contained in this agreement shall be deemed to limit or
restrict your or any of your affiliates right to engage in and
devote time and attention to other businesses or to render
services of whatever kind or nature.
Please confirm that the foregoing is in accordance with
your understanding and indicate your acceptance hereof by
signing below, whereupon it shall become a binding agreement
between us.
Very truly yours,
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND
FUND, INC.
By:
Accepted:
PREMIER MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC.
By:_______________________________ EXHIBIT A
Reapproval Date Reapproval Day
October 4, 1995 October 4th
BANK AGREEMENT
(Fully Disclosed Basis)
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
One Exchange Place
Tenth Floor
Boston, MA 02109
Gentlemen:
We are a "bank" (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") ). We
desire to make available to our customers shares of beneficial interest or
common stock of open-end registered investment companies managed,
advised or administered by The Dreyfus Corporation or its subsidiaries or
affiliates (hereinafter referred to individually as a "Fund" and collectively
as the "Funds"). You are the principal underwriter (as such term is defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the offering of
shares of the Funds and the exclusive agent for the continuous distribution
of such shares pursuant to the terms of a Distribution Agreement between
you and each Fund. Unless the context otherwise requires, as used herein
the term "Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus and related statement of
additional information ("Statement of Additional Information")
incorporated therein by reference (as amended and supplemented) of each
of the respective Funds included in the then currently effective
registration statement (or post-effective amendment thereto) of each
such Fund, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant
to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement").
In consideration for the mutual covenants contained herein, it is hereby
agreed that our respective rights and obligations shall be as follows:
1. With respect to any and all transactions in the shares of any Fund
pursuant to this Agreement, it is understood and agreed in each case that:
(a) we shall be acting solely as agent for the account of our customer; (b)
each transaction shall be initiated solely upon the order of our customer;
(c) you shall execute transactions only upon receiving instructions from
us acting as agent for our customer; (d) as between us and our customer,
our customer will have full beneficial ownership of all Fund shares; and
(e) each transaction shall be for the account of our customer and not for
our account. Each transaction shall be without recourse to us provided
that we act in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. We represent
and warrant to you that we will have full right, power and authority to
effect transactions (including, without limitation, any purchases,
exchanges and redemptions) in Fund shares on behalf of all customer
accounts provided by us to you or to any transfer agent as such term is
defined in the Prospectus of each Fund (the "Transfer Agent").
2. All orders for the purchase of any Fund shares shall be executed at
the then current public offering price per share (i.e., the net asset value
per share plus the applicable sales charge, if any) and all orders for the
redemption of any Fund shares shall be executed at the net asset value per
share less the applicable deferred sales charge, redemption fee or similar
charge or fee, if any, in each case as described in the Prospectus of such
Fund. The minimum initial purchase order and minimum subsequent
purchase order shall be as set forth in the Prospectus of such Fund. All
orders are subject to acceptance or rejection by you at your sole
discretion. Unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing, each transaction
shall be promptly confirmed in writing directly to the customer on a fully
disclosed basis and a copy of each confirmation shall be sent
simultaneously to us. You reserve the right, at your discretion and without
notice, to suspend the sale of shares or withdraw entirely the sale of
shares of any or all of the Funds.
3. In ordering shares of any Fund, we shall rely solely and conclusively
on the representations contained in the Prospectus of such Fund. We agree
that we shall not make shares of any Fund available to our customers
except in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, and the
rules, regulations and requirements of applicable regulatory agencies or
authorities. We agree that we shall not purchase any Fund shares, as agent
for any customer, unless we deliver or cause to be delivered to such
customer, at or prior to the time of such purchase, a copy of the
Prospectus of such Fund, or unless such customer has acknowledged
receipt of the Prospectus of such Fund. We further agree to obtain from
each customer for whom we act as agent for the purchase of Fund shares
any taxpayer identification number certification and such other
information as may be required from time to time under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the regulations
promulgated thereunder, and to provide you or your designee with timely
written notice of any failure to obtain such taxpayer identification
number certification or other information in order to enable the
implementation of any required withholding. We will be responsible for
the proper instruction and training of all sales personnel employed by us.
Unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing, you shall deliver or cause to
be delivered to each of the customers who purchases shares of any of the
Funds through us pursuant to this Agreement copies of all annual and
interim reports, proxy solicitation materials and any other information
and materials relating to such Funds and prepared by or on behalf of you,
the Fund or its investment adviser, custodian, Transfer Agent or dividend
disbursing agent for distribution to each such customer. You agree to
supply us with copies of the Prospectus, Statement of Additional
Information, annual reports, interim reports, proxy solicitation materials
and any such other information and materials relating to each Fund in
reasonable quantities upon request.
4. We shall not make any representations concerning any Fund shares
other than those contained in the Prospectus of such Fund or in any
promotional materials or sales literature furnished to us by you or the
Fund. We shall not furnish or cause to be furnished to any person or display
or publish any information or materials relating to any Fund (including,
without limitation, promotional materials and sales literature,
advertisements, press releases, announcements, statements, posters,
signs or other similar materials), except such information and materials
as may be furnished to us by you or the Fund, and such other information
and materials as may be approved in writing by you. In making Fund shares
available to our customers hereunder, or in providing investment advice
regarding such shares to our customers, we shall at all times act in
compliance with the Interagency Statement on Retail Sales of Nondeposit
Investment Products issued by The Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of
the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift Supervision
(February 15, 1994) or any successor interagency requirements as in force
at the time such services are provided.
5. In determining the amount of any reallowance payable to us
hereunder, you reserve the right to exclude any sales which you reasonably
determine are not made in accordance with the terms of the applicable
Fund Prospectuses or the provisions of this Agreement.
6. (a) In the case of any Fund shares sold with a sales charge,
customers may be entitled to a reduction in sales charge on purchases
made under a letter of intent ("Letter of Intent") in accordance with the
Fund Prospectus. In such case, our reallowance will be paid based upon the
reduced sales charge, but an adjustment will be made as described in the
Prospectus of the applicable Fund to reflect actual purchases of the
customer if he should fail to fulfill his Letter of Intent. The sales charge
and/or reallowance may be changed at any time in your sole discretion
upon written notice to us.
(b) Subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus of
each Fund sold with a sales charge, a reduced sales charge may be
applicable with respect to customer accounts through a right of
accumulation under which customers are permitted to purchase shares of
a Fund at the then current public offering price per share applicable to the
total of (i) the dollar amount of shares then being purchased plus (ii) an
amount equal to the then current net asset value or public offering price
originally paid per share, whichever is higher, of the customer's combined
holdings of the shares of such Fund and of any other open-end registered
investment company as may be permitted by the applicable Fund
Prospectus. In such case, we agree to furnish to you or the Transfer Agent
sufficient information to permit your confirmation of qualification for a
reduced sales charge, and acceptance of the purchase order is subject to
such confirmation.
(c) With respect to Fund shares sold with a sales charge, we agree to
advise you promptly at your request as to amounts of any and all
purchases of Fund shares made by us, as agent for our customers,
qualifying for a reduced sales charge.
(d) Exchanges (i.e., the investment of the proceeds from the
liquidation of shares of one open-end registered investment company
managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus Corporation or its
subsidiaries or affiliates in the shares of another open-end registered
investment company managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus
Corporation or its subsidiaries or affiliates) shall, where available, be
made subject to and in accordance with the terms of each Fund's
Prospectus.
(e) Unless at the time of transmitting an order we advise you to the
contrary, the shares ordered will be deemed to be the total holdings of the
specified customer.
7. Subject to and in accordance with the terms of each Fund Prospectus
and Service Plan, Shareholder Services Plan, Distribution Plan or other
similar plan, if any, we understand that you may pay to certain financial
institutions, securities dealers and other industry professionals with
which you have entered into an agreement in substantially the form
annexed hereto as Appendix A, B, or C (or such other form as may be
approved from time to time by the board of directors or trustees or
managing general partners of the Fund) such fees as may be determined by
you in accordance with such agreement for shareholder, administrative or
distribution-related services as described therein.
8. The procedures relating to all orders and the handling thereof will
be subject to the terms of the Prospectus of each Fund and your written
instructions to us from time to time. No conditional orders will be
accepted. We agree to place orders with you immediately for the same
number of shares and at the same price as any orders we receive from our
customers. We shall not withhold placing orders received from customers
so as to profit ourselves as a result of such withholding by a change in the
net asset value from that used in determining the offering price to such
customers, or otherwise; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not
prevent the purchase of shares of any Fund by us for our own bona fide
investment. We agree that: (a) we shall not effect any transactions
(including, without limitation, any purchases, exchanges and redemptions)
in any Fund shares registered in the name of, or beneficially owned by, any
customer unless such customer has granted us full right, power and
authority to effect such transactions on such customer's behalf, and (b)
you, each Fund, the Transfer Agent and your and their respective officers,
directors, trustees, managing general partners, agents, employees and
affiliates shall not be liable for, and shall be fully indemnified and held
harmless by us from and against, any and all claims, demands, liabilities
and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees)
which may be incurred by you or any of the foregoing persons entitled to
indemnification from us hereunder arising out of or in connection with the
execution of any transactions in Fund shares registered in the name of, or
beneficially owned by, any customer in reliance upon any oral or written
instructions reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been given by or
on behalf of us.
9. (a) We agree to pay for purchase orders of any Fund shares placed by
us in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus of the applicable Fund.
On or before the settlement date of each purchase order for shares of any
Fund, we shall either (i) remit to an account designated by you with the
Transfer Agent an amount equal to the then current public offering price
of the shares of such Fund being purchased less our reallowance, if any,
with respect to such purchase order as determined by you in accordance
with the terms of the applicable Fund Prospectus, or (ii) remit to an
account designated by you with the Transfer Agent an amount equal to the
then current public offering price of the shares of such Fund being
purchased without deduction for our reallowance, if any, with respect to
such purchase order as determined by you in accordance with the terms of
the applicable Fund Prospectus, in which case our reallowance, if any,
shall be payable to us by you on at least a monthly basis. If payment for
any purchase order is not received in accordance with the terms of the
applicable Fund Prospectus, you reserve the right, without notice, to
cancel the sale and to hold us responsible for any loss sustained as a
result thereof.
(b) If any shares sold to us as agent for our customers under the
terms of this Agreement are sold with a sales charge and are redeemed
for the account of the Fund or are tendered for redemption within seven
(7) days after the date of purchase: (i) we shall forthwith refund to you
the full reallowance received by us on the sale; and (ii) you shall
forthwith pay to the Fund your portion of the sales charge on the sale
which had been retained by you and shall also pay to the Fund the amount
refunded by us.
10. Certificates for shares sold to us as agent for our customers
hereunder shall only be issued in accordance with the terms of each Fund's
Prospectus upon our customers' specific request and, upon such request,
shall be promptly delivered to our customers by the Transfer Agent unless
other arrangements are made by us. However, in making delivery of such
share certificates to our customers, the Transfer Agent shall have
adequate time to clear any checks drawn for the payment of Fund shares.
11. We hereby represent and warrant to you that: (a) we are a "bank" as
such term is defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act; (b) we are a
duly organized and validly existing "bank" in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction in which we were organized; (c) all authorizations (if
any) required for our lawful execution of this Agreement and our
performance hereunder have been obtained; and (d) upon execution and
delivery by us, and assuming due and valid execution and delivery by you,
this Agreement will constitute a valid and binding agreement, enforceable
against us in accordance with its terms. We agree to give written notice
to you promptly in the event that we shall cease to be a "bank" as such
term is defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act. In such event, this
Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon such written notice.
12. You agree to inform us, upon our request, as to the states in which
you believe the shares of the Funds have been qualified for sale under, or
are exempt from the requirements of, the respective securities laws of
such states, but you shall have no obligation or responsibility as to our
right to make shares of any Funds available to our customers in any
jurisdiction. We agree to comply with all applicable federal and state
laws, rules, regulations and requirements relating to the performance of
our duties and responsibilities hereunder.
13. (a) You agree to indemnify, defend and hold us, our several officers
and directors, and any person who controls us within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless
from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses
(including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or
liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which
we, our officers and directors, or any such controlling person, may incur
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under common law or
otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) any breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant made by you herein, or (ii) any
failure by you to perform your obligations as set forth herein, or (iii) any
untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact
contained in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus, or arising out
of or based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material
fact required to be stated in either any Registration Statement or any
Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in any thereof not
misleading; provided, however, that your agreement to indemnify us, our
officers and directors, and any such controlling person shall not be
deemed to cover any claims, demands, liabilities or expenses arising out
of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to you
or the Fund by us specifically for use in the preparation thereof. Your
agreement to indemnify us, our officers and directors, and any such
controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon your being
notified of any action brought against our officers or directors, or any
such controlling person, such notification to be given by letter or by
telecopier, telex, telegram or similar means of same day delivery received
by you at your address as specified in Paragraph 18 of this Agreement
within seven (7) days after the summons or other first legal process shall
have been served. The failure so to notify you of any such action shall not
relieve you from any liability which you may have to the person against
whom such action is brought by reason of any such breach, failure or
untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged omission,
otherwise than on account of your indemnity agreement contained in this
Paragraph 13(a). You will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit
brought to enforce any such claim, demand, liability or expense. In the
event that you elect to assume the defense of any such suit and retain
counsel, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in case you
do not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, you will reimburse us,
our officers and directors, or any controlling persons named as defendants
in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained by us or
them. Your indemnification agreement contained in this Paragraph 13(a)
shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of any person entitled to
indemnification pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a), and shall survive the
delivery of any Fund shares and termination of this Agreement. This
agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the benefit of the
persons entitled to indemnification from you pursuant to this Agreement
and their respective estates, successors and assigns.
(b) We agree to indemnify, defend and hold you and your several
officers and directors, and each Fund and its several officers and
directors or trustees or managing general partners, and any person who
controls you and/or each Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless from and against
any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the cost
of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any
counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which you and your several
officers and directors, or the Fund and its officers and directors or
trustees or managing general partners, or any such controlling person, may
incur under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under common law
or otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) any breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant made by us herein, or (ii) any failure
by us to perform our obligations as set forth herein, or (iii) any untrue, or
alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in the information
furnished in writing by us to you or any Fund specifically for use in such
Fund's Registration Statement or Prospectus, or used in the answers to
any of the items of the Registration Statement or in the corresponding
statements made in the Prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any
omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact in connection with
such information furnished in writing by us to you or the Fund and required
to be stated in such answers or necessary to make such information not
misleading. Our agreement to indemnify you and your officers and
directors, and the Fund and its officers and directors or trustees, and any
such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon our
being notified of any action brought against any person or entity entitled
to indemnification hereunder, such notification to be given by letter or by
telecopier, telex, telegram or similar means of same day delivery received
by us at our address as specified in Paragraph 18 of this Agreement
within seven (7) days after the summons or other first legal process shall
have been served. The failure so to notify us of any such action shall not
relieve us from any liability which we may have to you or your officers
and directors, or the Fund or its officers and directors or trustees or
managing general partners, or to any such controlling person, by reason of
any such breach, failure or untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or
omission, or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of our indemnity
agreement contained in this Paragraph 13(b). Our indemnification
agreements contained in Paragraph 8 above, Paragraph 16 below and this
Paragraph 13(b) shall remain operative and in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any person entitled
to indemnification pursuant to Paragraph 8 above, Paragraph 16 below or
this Paragraph 13(b), and shall survive the delivery of any Fund shares and
termination of this Agreement. Such agreements of indemnity will inure
exclusively to the benefit of the persons entitled to indemnification
hereunder and their respective estates, successors and assigns.
14. The names and addresses and other information concerning our
customers are and shall remain our sole property, and neither you nor your
affiliates shall use such names, addresses or other information for any
purpose except in connection with the performance of your duties and
responsibilities hereunder and except for servicing and informational
mailings relating to the Funds. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
Paragraph 14 shall not prohibit you or any of your affiliates from utilizing
for any purpose the names, addresses or other information concerning any
of our customers if such names, addresses or other information are
obtained in any manner other than from us pursuant to this Agreement. The
provisions of this Paragraph 14 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
15. We agree to serve as a service agent, in accordance with the terms
of the Form of Service Agreement annexed hereto as Appendix A, Form of
Shareholder Services Agreement annexed hereto as Appendix B, and/or
Form of Distribution Plan Agreement annexed hereto as Appendix C, as
applicable, for all of our customers who purchase shares of any and all
Funds whose Prospectuses provide therefor. By executing this Agreement,
each of the parties hereto agrees to be bound by all terms, conditions,
rights and obligations set forth in the forms of agreements annexed hereto
and further agrees that such forms of agreement supersede any and all
prior service agreements or other similar agreements between the parties
hereto, relating to any Fund or Funds. It is recognized that certain parties
may not be permitted to collect distribution fees under the Form of
Distribution Plan Agreement annexed hereto, and if we are such a party,
we will not collect such fees.
16. By completing the Expedited Redemption Information Form annexed
hereto as Appendix D, we agree that you, each Fund with respect to which
you permit us to exercise an expedited redemption privilege, the Transfer
Agent of each such Fund, and your and their respective officers, directors
or trustees or managing general partners, agents, employees and affiliates
shall not be liable for and shall be fully indemnified and held harmless by
us from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of
or in connection with any expedited redemption payments made in reliance
upon the information set forth in such Appendix D.
17. Neither this Agreement nor the performance of the services of the
respective parties hereunder shall be considered to constitute an
exclusive arrangement, or to create a partnership, association or joint
venture between you and us. Neither party hereto shall be, act as, or
represent itself as, the agent or representative of the other, nor shall
either party have the right or authority to assume, create or incur any
liability or any obligation of any kind, express or implied, against or in the
name of, or on behalf of, the other party. This Agreement is not intended
to, and shall not, create any rights against either party hereto by any third
party solely on account of this Agreement. Neither party hereto shall use
the name of the other party in any manner without the other party's prior
written consent, except as required by any applicable federal or state law,
rule, regulation or requirement, and except pursuant to any promotional
programs mutually agreed upon in writing by the parties hereto.
18. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices
required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be
given in writing and delivered by personal delivery or by postage prepaid,
registered or certified United States first class mail, return receipt
requested, or by telecopier, telex, telegram or similar means of same day
delivery (with a confirming copy by mail as provided herein). Unless
otherwise notified in writing, all notices to you shall be given or sent to
you at your offices, located at One Exchange Place, Tenth Floor, Boston, MA
02109, Attn: President (with a copy to the same address, Attention:
General Counsel), and all notices to us shall be given or sent to us at our
address shown below.
19. This Agreement shall become effective only when accepted and
signed by you, and may be terminated at any time by either party hereto
upon 15 days' prior written notice to the other party. This Agreement may
be amended by you upon 15 days' prior written notice to us, and such
amendment shall be deemed accepted by us upon the placement of any
order for the purchase of Fund shares or the acceptance of a fee payable
under this Agreement, including the Appendices hereto, after the effective
date of any such amendment. This Agreement may not be assigned by us
without your prior written consent. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement and understanding between the parties hereto relating to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior agreements
between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof.
20. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to
principles of conflicts of laws.
Very truly yours,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank Name (Please Print or Type)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address
Date: --------------------------------- By:----------------------------------
Authorized Signature
NOTE: Please sign and return both copies of this Agreement to Premier
Mutual Fund Services, Inc. Upon acceptance one countersigned copy will be
returned to you for your files.
Accepted:
PREMIER MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC.
Date: --------------------------------- By:----------------------------------
Authorized Signature
APPENDIX A
TO BANK AGREEMENT
FORM OF SERVICE AGREEMENT
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
One Exchange Place
Tenth Floor
Boston, MA 02109
Gentlemen:
We wish to enter into an Agreement with you for servicing shareholders
of, and administering shareholder accounts in, certain mutual fund(s)
managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus Corporation or its
subsidiaries or affiliates (hereinafter referred to individually as the
"Fund" and collectively as the "Funds"). You are the principal underwriter
as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"),
and the exclusive agent for the continuous distribution of shares of the
Funds.
The terms and conditions of this Agreement are as follows:
1. We agree to provide shareholder and administrative services for our
clients who own shares of the Funds ("clients"), which services may
include, without limitation: assisting clients in changing dividend options,
account designations and addresses; performing sub-accounting;
establishing and maintaining shareholder accounts and records; processing
purchase and redemption transactions; providing periodic statements
and/or reports showing a client's account balance and integrating such
statements with those of other transactions and balances in the client's
other accounts serviced by us; arranging for bank wires; and providing
such other information and services as you reasonably may request, to the
extent we are permitted by applicable statute, rule or regulation. In this
regard, if we are a federally chartered and supervised bank or other
banking organization, you recognize that we may be subject to the
provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act and other laws, rules, regulations or
requirements governing, among other things, the conduct of our activities.
As such, we are restricted in the activities we may undertake and for
which we may be paid and, therefore, intend to perform only those
activities as are consistent with our statutory and regulatory obligations.
We represent and warrant to, and agree with you, that the compensation
payable to us hereunder, together with any other compensation payable to
us by clients in connection with the investment of their assets in shares
of the Funds, will be properly disclosed by us to our clients.
2. We shall provide such office space and equipment, telephone
facilities and personnel (which may be all or any part of the space,
equipment and facilities currently used in our business, or all or any
personnel employed by us) as is necessary or beneficial for providing
information and services to each Fund's shareholders, and to assist you in
servicing accounts of clients. We shall transmit promptly to clients all
communications sent to us for transmittal to clients by or on behalf of
you, any Fund, or any Fund's investment adviser, custodian or transfer or
dividend disbursing agent.
3. We agree that neither we nor any of our employees or agents are
authorized to make any representation concerning shares of any Fund,
except those contained in the then current Prospectus for such Fund,
copies of which will be supplied by you to us in reasonable quantities upon
request. If we are a federally supervised bank or thrift institution, we
agree that, in providing services hereunder, we shall at all times act in
compliance with the Interagency Statement on Retail Sales of Nondeposit
Investment Products issued by The Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of
the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift Supervision
(February 15, 1994) or any successor interagency requirements as in force
at the time such services are provided. We shall have no authority to act
as agent for the Funds or for you.
4. You reserve the right, at your discretion and without notice, to
suspend the sale of shares or withdraw the sale of shares of any or all of
the Funds.
5. We acknowledge that this Agreement shall become effective for a
Fund only when approved by vote of a majority of (i) the Fund's Board of
Directors or Trustees or Managing General Partners, as the case may be
(collectively "Directors," individually "Director"), and (ii) Directors who
are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of the Fund and have no
direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement, cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
6. This Agreement shall continue until the last day of the calendar year
next following the date of execution, and thereafter shall continue
automatically for successive annual periods ending on the last day of each
calendar year. For all Funds as to which Board approval of this Agreement
is required, such continuance must be approved specifically at least
annually by a vote of a majority of (i) the Fund's Board of Directors and
(ii) Directors who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of
the Fund and have no direct or indirect financial interest in this
Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval. For any Fund as to which Board approval of this
Agreement is required, this Agreement is terminable without penalty, at
any time, by a majority of the Fund's Directors who are not "interested
persons" (as defined in the Act) and have no direct or indirect financial
interest in this Agreement or upon not more than 60 days' written notice,
by vote of holders of a majority of the Fund's shares. As to all Funds, this
Agreement is terminable without penalty upon 15 days' notice by either
party. In addition, you may terminate this Agreement as to any or all Funds
immediately, without penalty, if the present investment adviser of such
Fund(s) ceases to serve the Fund(s) in such capacity, or if you cease to act
as distributor of such Fund(s). Notwithstanding anything contained herein,
if we fail to perform the shareholder servicing and administrative
functions contemplated herein by you as to any or all of the Funds, this
Agreement shall be terminable effective upon receipt of notice thereof by
us. This Agreement also shall terminate automatically in the event of its
assignment (as defined in the Act).
7. In consideration of the services and facilities described herein, we
shall be entitled to receive from you, and you agree to pay to us, the fees
described as payable to us in each Fund's Service Plan adopted pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Act, and Prospectus and related Statement of
Additional Information. We understand that any payments pursuant to this
Agreement shall be paid only so long as this Agreement and such Plan are
in effect. We agree that no Director, officer or shareholder of the Fund
shall be liable individually for the performance of the obligations
hereunder or for any such payments.
8. We agree to provide to you and each applicable Fund such information
relating to our services hereunder as may be required to be maintained by
you and/or such Fund under applicable federal or state laws, and the rules,
regulations, requirements or conditions of applicable regulatory and self-
regulatory agencies or authorities.
9. This Agreement shall not constitute either party the legal
representative of the other, nor shall either party have the right or
authority to assume, create or incur any liability or any obligation of any
kind, express or implied, against or in the name of or on behalf of the
other party.
10. All notices required or permitted to be given pursuant to this
Agreement shall be given in writing and delivered by personal delivery or
by postage prepaid, registered or certified United States first class mail,
return receipt requested, or by telecopier, telex, telegram or similar
means of same day delivery (with a confirming copy by mail as provided
herein). Unless otherwise notified in writing, all notices to you shall be
given or sent to you at One Exchange Place, Tenth Floor, Boston, MA 02109,
Attention: President (with a copy to the same address, Attention: General
Counsel), and all notices to us shall be given or sent to us at our address
which shall be furnished to you in writing on or before the effective date
of this Agreement.
11. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the internal
laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to principles of
conflict of laws.
BANK AFFILIATED BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT
(FULLY DISCLOSED BASIS)
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
One Exchange Place
Tenth Floor
Boston, MA 02109
Gentlemen:
We are a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"). We desire to make available to our customers shares of
beneficial interest or common stock of open-end registered investment
companies managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus Corporation
or its subsidiaries or affiliates (hereinafter referred to individually as a
"Fund" and collectively as the "Funds"). You are the principal underwriter
(as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended) of the offering of shares of the Funds and the exclusive agent
for the continuous distribution of such shares pursuant to the terms of a
Distribution Agreement between you and each Fund. Unless the context
otherwise requires, as used herein the term "Prospectus" shall mean the
prospectus and related statement of additional information (the
"Statement of Additional Information") incorporated therein by reference
(as amended or supplemented) of each of the respective Funds included in
the then currently effective registration statement (or post-effective
amendment thereto) of each such Fund, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Registration Statement").
In consideration for the mutual covenants contained herein, it is hereby
agreed that our respective rights and obligations shall be as follows:
1. With respect to any and all transactions in the shares of any Fund
pursuant to this Agreement, it is understood and agreed in each case that:
(a) we shall be acting solely as agent for the account of our customer; (b)
each transaction shall be initiated solely upon the order of our customer;
(c) you shall execute transactions only upon receiving instructions from
us acting as agent for our customer; (d) as between us and our customer,
our customer will have full beneficial ownership of all Fund shares; and
(e) each transaction shall be for the account of our customer and not for
our account. We represent and warrant to you that we will have full right,
power and authority to effect transactions (including, without limitation,
any purchases, exchanges and redemptions) in Fund shares on behalf of all
customer accounts provided by us to you or to any transfer agent as such
term is defined in the Prospectus of each Fund (the "Transfer Agent").
2. All orders for the purchase of any Fund shares shall be executed at
the then current public offering price per share (i.e., the net asset value
per share plus the applicable sales charge, if any) and all orders for the
redemption of any Fund shares shall be executed at the net asset value per
share less the applicable deferred sales charge, redemption fee or similar
charge or fee, if any, in each case as described in the Prospectus of such
Fund. The minimum initial purchase order and minimum subsequent
purchase order shall be as set forth in the Prospectus of such Fund. All
orders are subject to acceptance or rejection by you at your sole
discretion. Unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing, each transaction
shall be promptly confirmed in writing directly to the customer on a fully
disclosed basis and a copy of each confirmation shall be sent
simultaneously to us. You reserve the right, at your discretion and without
notice, to suspend the sale of shares or withdraw entirely the sale of
shares of any or all of the Funds.
3. In ordering shares of any Fund, we shall rely solely and conclusively
on the representations contained in the Prospectus of such Fund. We agree
that we shall not make shares of any Fund available to our customers
except in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, and the
rules, regulations, requirements and conditions of all applicable
regulatory and self-regulatory agencies or authorities. We agree that we
shall not purchase any Fund shares, as agent for any customer, unless we
deliver or cause to be delivered to such customer, at or prior to the time
of such purchase, a copy of the Prospectus of such Fund, or unless such
customer has acknowledged receipt of the Prospectus of such Fund. We
further agree to obtain from each customer for whom we act as agent for
the purchase of Fund shares any taxpayer identification number
certification and such other information as may be required from time to
time under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and to provide you or your
designee with timely written notice of any failure to obtain such taxpayer
identification number certification or other information in order to enable
the implementation of any required withholding. We will be responsible
for the proper instruction and training of all sales personnel employed by
us. Unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing, you shall deliver or
cause to be delivered to each of the customers who purchases shares of
any of the Funds through us pursuant to this Agreement copies of all
annual and interim reports, proxy solicitation materials and any other
information and materials relating to such Funds and prepared by or on
behalf of you, the Fund or its investment adviser, custodian, Transfer
Agent or dividend disbursing agent for distribution to each such customer.
You agree to supply us with copies of the Prospectus, Statement of
Additional Information, annual reports, interim reports, proxy solicitation
materials and any such other information and materials relating to each
Fund in reasonable quantities upon request.
4. We shall not make any representations concerning any Fund shares
other than those contained in the Prospectus of such Fund or in any
promotional materials or sales literature furnished to us by you or the
Fund. We shall not furnish or cause to be furnished to any person or display
or publish any information or materials relating to any Fund (including,
without limitation, promotional materials and sales literature,
advertisements, press releases, announcements, statements, posters,
signs or other similar materials), except such information and materials
as may be furnished to us by you or the Fund, and such other information
and materials as may be approved in writing by you. In making Fund shares
available to our customers hereunder, or in providing investment advice
regarding such shares to our customers, we shall at all times act in
compliance with the Interagency Statement on Retail Sales of Nondeposit
Investment Products issued by The Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of
the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift Supervision
(February 15, 1994) or any successor interagency requirements as in force
at the time such services are provided.
5. In determining the amount of any reallowance payable to us
hereunder, you reserve the right to exclude any sales which you reasonably
determine are not made in accordance with the terms of the applicable
Fund Prospectuses or the provisions of this Agreement.
6. (a) In the case of any Fund shares sold with a sales charge,
customers may be entitled to a reduction in the sales charge on purchases
made under a letter of intent ("Letter of Intent") in accordance with the
Fund Prospectus. In such a case, our reallowance will be paid based upon
the reduced sales charge, but an adjustment to the reallowance will be
made in accordance with the Prospectus of the applicable Fund to reflect
actual purchases of the customer if such customer's Letter of Intent is
not fulfilled. The sales charge and/or reallowance may be changed at any
time in your sole discretion upon written notice to us.
(b) Subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus of
each Fund sold with a sales charge, a reduced sales charge may be
applicable with respect to customer accounts through a right of
accumulation under which customers are permitted to purchase shares of
a Fund at the then current public offering price per share applicable to the
total of (i) the dollar amount of shares then being purchased plus (ii) an
amount equal to the then current net asset value or public offering price
originally paid per share, whichever is higher, of the customer's combined
holdings of the shares of such Fund and of any other open-end registered
investment company as may be permitted by the applicable Fund
Prospectus. In such case, we agree to furnish to you or the Transfer Agent
sufficient information to permit your confirmation of qualification for a
reduced sales charge, and acceptance of the purchase order is subject to
such confirmation.
(c) With respect to Fund shares sold with a sales charge, we agree to
advise you promptly at your request as to amounts of any and all
purchases of Fund shares made by us, as agent for our customers,
qualifying for a reduced sales charge.
(d) Exchanges (i.e., the investment of the proceeds from the
liquidation of shares of one open-end registered investment company
managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus Corporation or its
subsidiaries or affiliates in the shares of another open-end registered
investment company managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus
Corporation or its subsidiaries or affiliates) shall, where available, be
made subject to and in accordance with the terms of each relevant Fund's
Prospectus.
(e) Unless at the time of transmitting an order we advise you or the
Transfer Agent to the contrary, the shares ordered will be deemed to be
the total holdings of the specified customer.
7. Subject to and in accordance with the terms of each Fund Prospectus
and Service Plan, Shareholder Services Plan, Distribution Plan or other
similar plan, if any, we understand that you may pay to certain financial
institutions, securities dealers and other industry professionals with
which you have entered into an agreement in substantially the form
annexed hereto as Appendix A, B or C (or such other form as may be
approved from time to time by the board of directors, or trustees or
managing general partners of the Fund) such fees as may be determined by
you in accordance with such agreement for shareholder, administrative or
distribution-related services as described therein.
8. The procedures relating to all orders and the handling thereof will
be subject to the terms of the Prospectus of each Fund and your written
instructions to us from time to time. No conditional orders will be
accepted. We agree to place orders with you immediately for the same
number of shares and at the same price as any orders we receive from our
customers. We shall not withhold placing orders received from customers
so as to profit ourselves as a result of such withholding by a change in the
net asset value from that used in determining the offering price to such
customers, or otherwise; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not
prevent the purchase of shares of any Fund by us for our own bona fide
investment. We agree that: (a) we shall not effect any transactions
(including, without limitation, any purchases, exchanges and redemptions)
in any Fund shares registered in the name of, or beneficially owned by, any
customer unless such customer has granted us full right, power and
authority to effect such transactions on such customer's behalf, and (b)
you, each Fund, the Transfer Agent and your and their respective officers,
directors, trustees, managing general partners, agents, employees and
affiliates shall not be liable for, and shall be fully indemnified and held
harmless by us from and against, any and all claims, demands, liabilities
and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees)
which may be incurred by you or any of the foregoing persons entitled to
indemnification from us hereunder arising out of or in connection with the
execution of any transactions in Fund shares registered in the name of, or
beneficially owned by, any customer in reliance upon any oral or written
instructions reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been given by or
on behalf of us.
9. (a) We agree to remit on behalf of our customers the purchase price
for purchase orders of any Fund shares placed by us in accordance with the
terms of the Prospectus of the applicable Fund. On or before the
settlement date of each purchase order for shares of any Fund, we shall
either (i) remit to an account designated by you with the Transfer Agent
an amount equal to the then current public offering price of the shares of
such Fund being purchased less our reallowance, if any, with respect to
such purchase order as determined by you in accordance with the terms of
the applicable Fund Prospectus, or (ii) remit to an account designated by
you with the Transfer Agent an amount equal to the then current public
offering price of the shares of such Fund being purchased without
deduction for our reallowance, if any, with respect to such purchase order
as determined by you in accordance with the terms of the applicable Fund
Prospectus, in which case our reallowance, if any, shall be payable to us
by you on at least a monthly basis. If payment for any purchase order is
not received in accordance with the terms of the applicable Fund
Prospectus, you reserve the right, without notice, to cancel the sale and
to hold us responsible for any loss sustained as a result thereof.
(b) If any shares sold to us as agent for our customers under the
terms of this Agreement are sold with a sales charge and are redeemed
for the account of the Fund or are tendered for redemption within seven
(7) business days after the date of purchase: (i) we shall forthwith refund
to you the full reallowance received by us on the sale; and (ii) you shall
forthwith pay to the Fund your portion of the sales charge on the sale
which had been retained by you and shall also pay to the Fund the amount
refunded by us.
10. Certificates for shares sold to us as agent for our customers
hereunder shall only be issued in accordance with the terms of each Fund's
Prospectus upon our customers' specific request and, upon such request,
shall be promptly delivered to our customers by the Transfer Agent unless
other arrangements are made by us. However, in making delivery of such
share certificates to our customers, the Transfer Agent shall have
adequate time to clear any checks drawn for the payment of Fund shares.
11. Each party hereby represents and warrants to the other party that:
(a) it is a corporation, partnership or other entity duly organized and
validly existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in
which it was organized; (b) it is duly registered as a broker-dealer with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and, to the extent required, with
applicable state agencies or authorities having jurisdiction over
securities matters, and it is a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"); (c) it will comply with all applicable
federal and state laws, and the rules, regulations, requirements and
conditions of all applicable regulatory and self-regulatory agencies or
authorities in the performance of its duties and responsibilities
hereunder; (d) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
performance of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly
authorized by all necessary action, and all other authorizations and
approvals (if any) required for its lawful execution and delivery of this
Agreement and its performance hereunder have been obtained; and (e) upon
execution and delivery by it, and assuming due and valid execution and
delivery by the other party, this Agreement will constitute a valid and
binding agreement, enforceable in accordance with its terms. Each party
agrees to provide the other party with such information and access to
appropriate records as may be reasonably required to verify its
compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.
12. You agree to inform us, upon our request, as to the states in which
you believe the shares of the Funds have been qualified for sale under, or
are exempt from the requirements of, the respective securities laws of
such states, but you shall have no obligation or responsibility as to our
right to make shares of any Funds available to our customers in any
jurisdiction. We agree to notify you immediately in the event of (a) our
expulsion or suspension from the NASD, or (b) our violation of any
applicable federal or state law, rule, regulation, requirement or condition
arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, or which may
otherwise affect in any material way our ability to act in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement. Our expulsion from the NASD will
automatically terminate this Agreement immediately without notice. Our
suspension from the NASD for violation of any applicable federal or state
law, rule, regulation, requirement or condition will terminate this
Agreement effective immediately upon your written notice of termination
to us.
13. (a) You agree to indemnify, defend and hold us, our several officers
and directors, and any person who controls us within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless
from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses
(including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or
liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which
we, our officers and directors, or any such controlling person, may incur
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under common law or
otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) any breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant made by you herein, or (ii) any
failure by you to perform your obligations as set forth herein, or (iii) any
untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact
contained in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus, or arising out
of or based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material
fact required to be stated in either any Registration Statement or any
Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in any thereof not
misleading; provided, however, that your agreement to indemnify us, our
officers and directors, and any such controlling person shall not be
deemed to cover any claims, demands, liabilities or expenses arising out
of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to you
or the Fund by us specifically for use in the preparation thereof. Your
agreement to indemnify us, our officers and directors, and any such
controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon your being
notified of any action brought against our officers or directors, or any
such controlling person, such notification to be given by letter or by
telecopier, telex, telegram or similar means of same day delivery received
by you at your address as specified in Paragraph 18 of this Agreement
within seven (7) days after the summons or other first legal process shall
have been served. The failure so to notify you of any such action shall not
relieve you from any liability which you may have to the person against
whom such action is brought by reason of any such breach, failure or
untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged omission,
otherwise than on account of your indemnity agreement contained in this
Paragraph 13(a). You will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit
brought to enforce any such claim, demand, liability or expense. In the
event that you elect to assume the defense of any such suit and retain
counsel, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in case you
do not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, you will reimburse us,
our officers and directors, and any controlling persons named as
defendants in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained
by us and/or them. Your indemnification agreement contained in this
Paragraph 13(a) shall remain operative and in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any person entitled
to indemnification pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a), and shall survive the
delivery of any Fund shares and termination of this Agreement. This
agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the benefit of the
persons entitled to indemnification from you pursuant to this Agreement
and their respective estates, successors and assigns.
(b) We agree to indemnify, defend and hold you and your several
officers and directors, and each Fund and its several officers and
directors or trustees or managing general partners, and any person who
controls you and/or each Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless from and against
any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the cost
of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any
counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which you and your several
officers and directors, or the Fund and its officers and directors or
trustees or managing general partners, or any such controlling person, may
incur under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under common law
or otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) any breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant made by us herein, or (ii) any failure
by us to perform our obligations as set forth herein, or (iii) any untrue, or
alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in the information
furnished in writing by us to you or any Fund specifically for use in such
Fund's Registration Statement or Prospectus, or used in the answers to
any of the items of the Registration Statement or in the corresponding
statements made in the Prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any
omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact in connection with
such information furnished in writing by us to you or the Fund and required
to be stated in such answers or necessary to make such information not
misleading. Our agreement to indemnify you and your officers and
directors, and the Fund and its officers and directors or trustees or
managing general partners, and any such controlling person, as aforesaid,
is expressly conditioned upon our being notified of any action brought
against any person or entity entitled to indemnification hereunder, such
notification to be given by letter or by telecopier, telex, telegram or
similar means of same day delivery received by us at our address as
specified in Paragraph 18 of this Agreement within seven (7) days after
the summons or other first legal process shall have been served. The
failure so to notify us of any such action shall not relieve us from any
liability which we may have to you or your officers and directors, or to
the Fund or its officers and directors or trustees or managing general
partners, or to any such controlling person, by reason of any such breach,
failure or untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged
omission, otherwise than on account of our indemnity agreement contained
in this Paragraph 13(b). We will be entitled to assume the defense of any
suit brought to enforce any such claim, demand, liability or expense. In the
event that we elect to assume the defense of any such suit and retain
counsel, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in case we
do not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, we will reimburse you
and your officers and directors, and the Fund and its officers and directors
or trustees or managing general partners, and any controlling persons
named as defendants in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel
retained by you and/or them. Our indemnification agreements contained in
Paragraph 8 above, Paragraph 16 below and this Paragraph 13(b) shall
remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of any person entitled to
indemnification pursuant to Paragraph 8 above, Paragraph 16 below or this
Paragraph 13(b), and shall survive the delivery of any Fund shares and
termination of this Agreement. Such agreements of indemnity will inure
exclusively to the benefit of the persons entitled to indemnification
hereunder and their respective estates, successors and assigns.
14. The names and addresses and other information concerning our
customers are and shall remain our sole property, and neither you nor your
affiliates shall use such names, addresses or other information for any
purpose except in connection with the performance of your duties and
responsibilities hereunder and except for servicing and informational
mailings relating to the Funds. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
Paragraph 14 shall not prohibit you or any of your affiliates from utilizing
for any purpose the names, addresses or other information concerning any
of our customers if such names, addresses or other information are
obtained in any manner other than from us pursuant to this Agreement. The
provisions of this Paragraph 14 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
15. We agree to serve as a service agent or to provide distribution
assistance, in accordance with the terms of the Form of Service
Agreement annexed hereto as Appendix A, Form of Shareholder Services
Agreement annexed hereto as Appendix B, and/or Form of Distribution Plan
Agreement annexed hereto as Appendix C, as applicable, for all of our
customers who purchase shares of any and all Funds whose Prospectuses
provide therefor. By executing this Agreement, each of the parties hereto
agrees to be bound by all terms, conditions, rights and obligations set
forth in the forms of agreement annexed hereto and further agrees that
such forms of agreement supersede any and all prior service agreements
or other similar agreements between the parties hereto relating to any
Fund or Funds. It is recognized that certain parties may not be permitted
to collect distribution fees under the Form of Distribution Plan Agreement
annexed hereto, and if we are such a party, we will not collect such fees.
16. By completing the Expedited Redemption Information Form annexed
hereto as Appendix D, we agree that you, each Fund with respect to which
you permit us to exercise an expedited redemption privilege, the transfer
agent of each such Fund, and your and their respective officers, directors
or trustees or managing general partners, agents, employees and affiliates
shall not be liable for and shall be fully indemnified and held harmless by
us from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of
or in connection with any expedited redemption payments made in reliance
upon the information set forth in such Appendix D.
17. Neither this Agreement nor the performance of the services of the
respective parties hereunder shall be considered to constitute an
exclusive arrangement, or to create a partnership, association or joint
venture between you and us. Neither party hereto shall be, act as, or
represent itself as, the agent or representative of the other, nor shall
either party have the right or authority to assume, create or incur any
liability or any obligation of any kind, express or implied, against or in the
name of, or on behalf of, the other party. This Agreement is not intended
to, and shall not, create any rights against either party hereto by any third
party solely on account of this Agreement. Neither party hereto shall use
the name of the other party in any manner without the other party's prior
written consent, except as required by any applicable federal or state law,
rule, regulation, requirement or condition, and except pursuant to any
promotional programs mutually agreed upon in writing by the parties
hereto.
18. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices
required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be
given in writing and delivered by personal delivery or by postage prepaid,
registered or certified United States first class mail, return receipt
requested, or by telecopier, telex, telegram or similar means of same day
delivery (with a confirming copy by mail as provided herein). Unless
otherwise notified in writing, all notices to you shall be given or sent to
you at your offices located at One Exchange Place, Tenth Floor, Boston, MA
02109, Attention: President (with a copy to the same address, Attention:
General Counsel), and all notices to us shall be given or sent to us at our
address shown below.
19. This Agreement shall become effective only when accepted and
signed by you, and may be terminated at any time by either party hereto
upon 15 days' prior written notice to the other party. This Agreement,
including the Appendices hereto, may be amended by you upon 15 days'
prior written notice to us, and such amendment shall be deemed accepted
by us upon the placement of any order for the purchase of Fund shares or
the acceptance of a fee payable under this Agreement, including the
Appendices hereto, after the effective date of any such amendment. This
Agreement may not be assigned by us without your prior written consent.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding
between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes any and all prior agreements between the parties hereto
relating to the subject matter hereof.
20. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to
principles of conflicts of laws.
Very truly yours,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank Name (Please Print or Type)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address
Date: --------------------------------- By:----------------------------------
Authorized Signature
NOTE: Please sign and return both copies of this Agreement to Premier
Mutual Fund Services, Inc. Upon acceptance one countersigned copy will be
returned to you for your files.
Accepted:
PREMIER MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC.
Date: --------------------------------- By:----------------------------------
Authorized Signature
APPENDIX A
TO BANK AFFILIATED BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT
FORM OF SERVICE AGREEMENT
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
One Exchange Place
Tenth Floor
Boston, MA 02109
Gentlemen:
We wish to enter into an Agreement with you for servicing shareholders
of, and administering shareholder accounts in, certain mutual fund(s)
managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus Corporation or its
subsidiaries or affiliates (hereinafter referred to individually as the
"Fund" and collectively as the "Funds"). You are the principal underwriter
as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"),
and the exclusive agent for the continuous distribution of shares of the
Funds.
The terms and conditions of this Agreement are as follows:
1. We agree to provide shareholder and administrative services for our
clients who own shares of the Funds ("clients"), which services may
include, without limitation: assisting clients in changing dividend options,
account designations and addresses; performing sub-accounting;
establishing and maintaining shareholder accounts and records; processing
purchase and redemption transactions; providing periodic statements
and/or reports showing a client's account balance and integrating such
statements with those of other transactions and balances in the client's
other accounts serviced by us; arranging for bank wires; and providing
such other information and services as you reasonably may request, to the
extent we are permitted by applicable statute, rule or regulation. In this
regard, if we are a subsidiary or affiliate of a federally chartered and
supervised bank or other banking organization, you recognize that we may
be subject to the provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act and other laws,
rules, regulations or requirements governing, among other things, the
conduct of our activities. As such, we are restricted in the activities we
may undertake and for which we may be paid and, therefore, intend to
perform only those activities as are consistent with our statutory and
regulatory obligations. We represent and warrant to, and agree with you,
that the compensation payable to us hereunder, together with any other
compensation payable to us by clients in connection with the investment
of their assets in shares of the Funds, will be properly disclosed by us to
our clients.
2. We shall provide such office space and equipment, telephone
facilities and personnel (which may be all or any part of the space,
equipment and facilities currently used in our business, or all or any
personnel employed by us) as is necessary or beneficial for providing
information and services to each Fund's shareholders, and to assist you in
servicing accounts of clients. We shall transmit promptly to clients all
communications sent to us for transmittal to clients by or on behalf of
you, any Fund, or any Fund's investment adviser, custodian or transfer or
dividend disbursing agent.
3. We agree that neither we nor any of our employees or agents are
authorized to make any representation concerning shares of any Fund,
except those contained in the then current Prospectus for such Fund,
copies of which will be supplied by you to us in reasonable quantities upon
request. If we are a subsidiary or an affiliate of a federally supervised
bank or thrift institution, we agree that in providing services hereunder
we shall at all times act in compliance with the Interagency Statement on
Retail Sales of Nondeposit Investment Products issued by The Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office
of Thrift Supervision (February 15, 1994) or any successor interagency
requirements as in force at the time such services are provided. We shall
have no authority to act as agent for the Funds or for you.
4. You reserve the right, at your discretion and without notice, to
suspend the sale of shares or withdraw the sale of shares of any or all of
the Funds.
5. We acknowledge that this Agreement shall become effective for a
Fund only when approved by vote of a majority of (i) the Fund's Board of
Directors or Trustees or Managing General Partners, as the case may be
(collectively "Directors," individually "Director"), and (ii) Directors who
are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of the Fund and have no
direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement, cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
6. This Agreement shall continue until the last day of the calendar year
next following the date of execution, and thereafter shall continue
automatically for successive annual periods ending on the last day of each
calendar year. For all Funds as to which Board approval of this Agreement
is required, such continuance must be approved specifically at least
annually by a vote of a majority of (i) the Fund's Board of Directors and
(ii) Directors who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of
the Fund and have no direct or indirect financial interest in this
Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval. For any Fund as to which Board approval of this
Agreement is required, this Agreement is terminable without penalty, at
any time, by a majority of the Fund's Directors who are not "interested
persons" (as defined in the Act) and have no direct or indirect financial
interest in this Agreement or, upon not more than 60 days' written notice,
by vote of holders of a majority of the Fund's shares. As to all Funds, this
Agreement is terminable without penalty upon 15 days' notice by either
party. In addition, you may terminate this Agreement as to any or all Funds
immediately, without penalty, if the present investment adviser of such
Fund(s) ceases to serve the Fund(s) in such capacity, or if you cease to act
as distributor of such Fund(s). Notwithstanding anything contained herein,
if we fail to perform the shareholder servicing and administrative
functions contemplated herein by you as to any or all of the Funds, this
Agreement shall be terminable effective upon receipt of notice thereof by
us. This Agreement also shall terminate automatically in the event of its
assignment (as defined in the Act).
7. In consideration of the services and facilities described herein, we
shall be entitled to receive from you, and you agree to pay to us, the fees
described as payable to us in each Fund's Service Plan adopted pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Act, and Prospectus and related Statement of
Additional Information. We understand that any payments pursuant to this
Agreement shall be paid only so long as this Agreement and such Plan are
in effect. We agree that no Director, officer or shareholder of the Fund
shall be liable individually for the performance of the obligations
hereunder or for any such payments.
8. We agree to provide to you and each applicable Fund such information
relating to our services hereunder as may be required to be maintained by
you and/or such Fund under applicable federal or state laws, and the rules,
regulations, requirements or conditions of applicable regulatory and self-
regulatory agencies or authorities.
9. This Agreement shall not constitute either party the legal
representative of the other, nor shall either party have the right or
authority to assume, create or incur any liability or any obligation of any
kind, express or implied, against or in the name of or on behalf of the
other party.
10. All notices required or permitted to be given pursuant to this
Agreement shall be given in writing and delivered by personal delivery or
by postage prepaid, registered or certified United States first class mail,
return receipt requested, or by telecopier, telex, telegram or similar
means of same day delivery (with a confirming copy by mail as provided
herein). Unless otherwise notified in writing, all notices to you shall be
given or sent to you at One Exchange Place, Tenth Floor, Boston, MA 02109,
Attention: President (with a copy to the same address, Attention: General
Counsel), and all notices to us shall be given or sent to us at our address
which shall be furnished to you in writing on or before the effective date
of this Agreement.
11. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the internal
laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to principles of
conflict of laws.
BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT
(FULLY DISCLOSED BASIS)
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
One Exchange Place
Tenth Floor
Boston, MA 02109
Gentlemen:
We desire to enter into an Agreement with you for the sale of shares of
beneficial interest or common stock of open-end registered investment
companies managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus Corporation
or its subsidiaries or affiliates (hereinafter referred to individually as a
"Fund" and collectively as the "Funds"), for which you are the principal
underwriter, as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, and for which you are the exclusive agent for the
continuous distribution of shares pursuant to the terms of a Distribution
Agreement between you and each Fund. Unless the context otherwise
requires, as used herein the term "Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus
and related statement of additional information (the "Statement of
Additional Information") incorporated therein by reference (as amended or
supplemented) of each of the respective Funds included in the then
currently effective registration statement (or post-effective amendment
thereto) of each such Fund, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Registration Statement").
In consideration for the mutual covenants contained herein, it is hereby
agreed that our respective rights and obligations shall be as follows:
1. In all sales of Fund shares to the public, we shall act as dealer for
our own account and in no transaction shall we have any authority to act
as agent for any Fund, for you or for any other dealer.
2. All orders for the purchase of any Fund shares shall be executed at
the then current public offering price per share (i.e., the net asset value
per share plus the applicable sales charge, if any) and all orders for the
redemption of any Fund shares shall be executed at the net asset value per
share, less the applicable deferred sales charge, redemption fee, or
similar charge or fee, if any, in each case as described in the Prospectus
of such Fund. The minimum initial purchase order and minimum subsequent
purchase order shall be as set forth in the Prospectus of such Fund. All
orders are subject to acceptance or rejection by you at your sole
discretion. Unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing, each transaction
shall be promptly confirmed in writing directly to the customer on a fully
disclosed basis and a copy of each confirmation shall be sent
simultaneously to us. You reserve the right, at your discretion and without
notice, to suspend the sale of shares or withdraw entirely the sale of
shares of any or all of the Funds.
3. In ordering shares of any Fund, we shall rely solely and conclusively
on the representations contained in the Prospectus of such Fund. We agree
that we shall not offer or sell shares of any Fund except in compliance
with all applicable federal and state securities laws, and the rules,
regulations, requirements and conditions of all applicable regulatory and
self-regulatory agencies or authorities. In connection with offers to sell
and sales of shares of each Fund, we agree to deliver or cause to be
delivered to each person to whom any such offer or sale is made, at or
prior to the time of such offer or sale, a copy of the Prospectus and, upon
request, the Statement of Additional Information of such Fund. We further
agree to obtain from each customer to whom we sell Fund shares any
taxpayer identification number certification and such other information
as may be required from time to time under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the regulations promulgated
thereunder, and to provide you or your designee with timely written notice
of any failure to obtain such taxpayer identification number certification
or other information in order to enable the implementation of any required
withholding. We will be responsible for the proper instruction and training
of all sales personnel employed by us. Unless otherwise mutually agreed
in writing, you shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each of the
customers who purchases shares of any of the Funds from or through us
pursuant to this Agreement copies of all annual and interim reports, proxy
solicitation materials and any other information and materials relating to
such Funds and prepared by or on behalf of you, the Fund or its investment
adviser, custodian, transfer agent or dividend disbursing agent for
distribution to each such customer. You agree to supply us with copies of
the Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, annual reports,
interim reports, proxy solicitation materials and any such other
information and materials relating to each Fund in reasonable quantities
upon request.
4. We shall not make any representations concerning any Fund shares
other than those contained in the Prospectus of such Fund or in any
promotional materials or sales literature furnished to us by you or the
Fund. We shall not furnish or cause to be furnished to any person or display
or publish any information or materials relating to any Fund (including,
without limitation, promotional materials and sales literature,
advertisements, press releases, announcements, statements, posters,
signs or other similar materials), except such information and materials
as may be furnished to us by you or the Fund, and such other information
and materials as may be approved in writing by you.
5. In determining the amount of any dealer reallowance payable to us
hereunder, you reserve the right to exclude any sales which you reasonably
determine are not made in accordance with the terms of the applicable
Fund Prospectuses or the provisions of this Agreement.
6. (a) In the case of any Fund shares sold with a sales charge,
customers may be entitled to a reduction in the sales charge on purchases
made under a letter of intent ("Letter of Intent") in accordance with the
Fund Prospectus. In such a case, our dealer reallowance will be paid based
upon the reduced sales charge, but an adjustment to the dealer
reallowance will be made in accordance with the Prospectus of the
applicable Fund to reflect actual purchases of the customer if such
customer's Letter of Intent is not fulfilled. The sales charge and/or dealer
reallowance may be changed at any time in your sole discretion upon
written notice to us.
(b) Subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus of
each Fund sold with a sales charge, a reduced sales charge may be
applicable with respect to customer accounts through a right of
accumulation under which customers are permitted to purchase shares of
a Fund at the then current public offering price per share applicable to the
total of (i) the dollar amount of shares then being purchased plus (ii) an
amount equal to the then current net asset value or public offering price
originally paid per share, whichever is higher, of the customer's combined
holdings of the shares of such Fund and of any other open-end registered
investment company as may be permitted by the applicable Fund
Prospectus. In such case, we agree to furnish to you or the transfer agent,
as such term is defined in the Prospectus of each Fund (the "Transfer
Agent"), sufficient information to permit your confirmation of
qualification for a reduced sales charge, and acceptance of the purchase
order is subject to such confirmation.
(c) With respect to Fund shares sold with a sales charge, we agree to
advise you promptly at your request as to amounts of any and all sales by
us to the public qualifying for a reduced sales charge.
(d) Exchanges (i.e., the investment of the proceeds from the
liquidation of shares of one open-end registered investment company
managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus Corporation or its
subsidiaries or affiliates in the shares of another open-end registered
investment company managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus
Corporation or its subsidiaries or affiliates) shall, where available, be
made subject to and in accordance with the terms of each relevant Fund's
Prospectus.
(e) Unless at the time of transmitting an order we advise you or the
Transfer Agent to the contrary, the shares ordered will be deemed to be
the total holdings of the specified customer.
7. Subject to and in accordance with the terms of each Fund Prospectus
and Service Plan, Shareholder Services Plan, Distribution Plan or similar
plan, if any, we understand that you may pay to certain financial
institutions, securities dealers and other industry professionals with
which you have entered into an agreement in substantially the form
annexed hereto as Appendix A, B or C (or such other form as may be
approved from time to time by the board of directors, trustees or
managing general partners of the Fund) such fees as may be determined by
you in accordance with such agreement for shareholder, administrative or
distribution-related services as described therein.
8. The procedures relating to all orders and the handling thereof will
be subject to the terms of the Prospectus of each Fund and your written
instructions to us from time to time. No conditional orders will be
accepted. We agree to place orders with you immediately for the same
number of shares and at the same price as any orders we receive from our
customers. We shall not withhold placing orders received from customers
so as to profit ourselves as a result of such withholding by a change in the
net asset value from that used in determining the offering price to such
customers, or otherwise. We agree that: (a) we shall not effect any
transactions (including, without limitation, any purchases, exchanges and
redemptions) in any Fund shares registered in the name of, or beneficially
owned by, any customer unless such customer has granted us full right,
power and authority to effect such transactions on such customer's
behalf, and (b) you, each Fund, the Transfer Agent and your and their
respective officers, directors, trustees, managing general partners,
agents, employees and affiliates shall not be liable for, and shall be fully
indemnified and held harmless by us from and against, any and all claims,
demands, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees) which may be incurred by you or any of the
foregoing persons entitled to indemnification from us hereunder arising
out of or in connection with the execution of any transactions in Fund
shares registered in the name of, or beneficially owned by, any customer
in reliance upon any oral or written instructions reasonably believed to be
genuine and to have been given by or on behalf of us.
9. (a) We agree to pay for purchase orders for Fund shares placed by us
in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus of the applicable Fund. On
or before the settlement date of each purchase order for shares of any
Fund, we shall either (i) remit to an account designated by you with the
Transfer Agent an amount equal to the then current public offering price
of the shares of such Fund being purchased less our dealer reallowance, if
any, with respect to such purchase order as determined by you in
accordance with the terms of the applicable Fund Prospectus, or (ii) remit
to an account designated by you with the Transfer Agent an amount equal
to the then current public offering price of the shares of such Fund being
purchased without deduction for our dealer reallowance, if any, with
respect to such purchase order as determined by you in accordance with
the terms of the applicable Fund Prospectus, in which case our dealer
reallowance, if any, shall be payable to us on at least a monthly basis. If
payment for any purchase order is not received in accordance with the
terms of the applicable Fund Prospectus, you reserve the right, without
notice, to cancel the sale and to hold us responsible for any loss sustained
as a result thereof.
(b) If any shares sold to us under the terms of this Agreement are
sold with a sales charge and are redeemed for the account of the Fund or
are tendered for redemption within seven (7) business days after the date
of purchase: (i) we shall forthwith refund to you the full dealer
reallowance received by us on the sale; and (ii) you shall forthwith pay to
the Fund your portion of the sales charge on the sale which had been
retained by you and shall also pay to the Fund the amount refunded by us.
10. Certificates for shares sold to us hereunder shall only be issued in
accordance with the terms of each Fund's Prospectus upon our customer's
specific request and, upon such request, shall be promptly delivered to us
by the Transfer Agent unless other arrangements are made by us.
However, in making delivery of such share certificates to us, the Transfer
Agent shall have adequate time to clear any checks drawn for the payment
of Fund shares.
11. Each party hereby represents and warrants to the other party that:
(a) it is a corporation, partnership or other entity duly organized and
validly existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in
which it was organized; (b) it is duly registered as a broker-dealer with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and, to the extent required, with
applicable state agencies or authorities having jurisdiction over
securities matters, and it is a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"); (c) it will comply with all applicable
federal and state laws, and the rules, regulations, requirements and
conditions of all applicable regulatory and self-regulatory agencies or
authorities in the performance of its duties and responsibilities
hereunder; (d) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
performance of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly
authorized by all necessary action, and all other authorizations and
approvals (if any) required for its lawful execution and delivery of this
Agreement and its performance hereunder have been obtained; and (e) upon
execution and delivery by it, and assuming due and valid execution and
delivery by the other party, this Agreement will constitute a valid and
binding agreement, enforceable in accordance with its terms. Each party
agrees to provide the other party with such information and access to
appropriate records as may be reasonably required to verify its
compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.
12. You agree to inform us, upon our request, as to the states in which
you believe the shares of the Funds have been qualified for sale under, or
are exempt from the requirements of, the respective securities laws of
such states, but you shall have no obligation or responsibility as to our
right to sell shares in any jurisdiction. We agree to notify you
immediately in the event of (a) our expulsion or suspension from the
NASD, or (b) our violation of any applicable federal or state law, rule,
regulation, requirement or condition arising out of or in connection with
this Agreement, or which may otherwise affect in any material way our
ability to act as a dealer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Our expulsion from the NASD will automatically terminate this Agreement
immediately without notice. Our suspension from the NASD for violation
of any applicable federal or state law, rule, regulation, requirement or
condition will terminate this Agreement effective immediately upon your
written notice of termination to us.
13. (a) You agree to indemnify, defend and hold us, our several officers
and directors, and any person who controls us within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless
from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses
(including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or
liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which
we, our officers and directors, or any such controlling person, may incur
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under common law or
otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) any breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant made by you herein, or (ii) any
failure by you to perform your obligations as set forth herein, or (iii) any
untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact
contained in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus, or arising out
of or based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material
fact required to be stated in either any Registration Statement or any
Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in any thereof not
misleading; provided, however, that your agreement to indemnify us, our
officers and directors, and any such controlling person shall not be
deemed to cover any claims, demands, liabilities or expenses arising out
of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to you
or the Fund by us specifically for use in the preparation thereof. Your
agreement to indemnify us, our officers and directors, and any such
controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon your being
notified of any action brought against our officers or directors, or any
such controlling person, such notification to be given by letter or by
telecopier, telex, telegram or similar means of same day delivery received
by you at your address as specified in Paragraph 18 of this Agreement
within seven (7) days after the summons or other first legal process shall
have been served. The failure so to notify you of any such action shall not
relieve you from any liability which you may have to the person against
whom such action is brought by reason of any such breach, failure or
untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged omission,
otherwise than on account of your indemnity agreement contained in this
Paragraph 13(a). You will be entitled to assume the defense of any suit
brought to enforce any such claim, demand, liability or expense. In the
event that you elect to assume the defense of any such suit and retain
counsel, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in case you
do not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, you will reimburse us,
our officers and directors, and any controlling persons named as
defendants in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel retained
by us and/or them. Your indemnification agreement contained in this
Paragraph 13(a) shall remain operative and in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any person entitled
to indemnification pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a), and shall survive the
delivery of any Fund shares and termination of this Agreement. This
agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively to the benefit of the
persons entitled to indemnification from you pursuant to this Agreement
and their respective estates, successors and assigns.
(b) We agree to indemnify, defend and hold you and your several
officers and directors, and each Fund and its several officers and
directors or trustees or managing general partners, and any person who
controls you and/or each Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless from and against
any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the cost
of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any
counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which you and your several
officers and directors, or the Fund and its officers and directors or
trustees or managing general partners, or any such controlling person, may
incur under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under common law
or otherwise, arising out of or based upon (i) any breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant made by us herein, or (ii) any failure
by us to perform our obligations as set forth herein, or (iii) any untrue, or
alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in the information
furnished in writing by us to you or any Fund specifically for use in such
Fund's Registration Statement or Prospectus, or used in the answers to
any of the items of the Registration Statement or in the corresponding
statements made in the Prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any
omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact in connection with
such information furnished in writing by us to you or the Fund and required
to be stated in such answers or necessary to make such information not
misleading. Our agreement to indemnify you and your officers and
directors, and the Fund and its officers and directors or trustees or
managing general partners, and any such controlling person, as aforesaid,
is expressly conditioned upon our being notified of any action brought
against any person or entity entitled to indemnification hereunder, such
notification to be given by letter or by telecopier, telex, telegram or
similar means of same day delivery received by us at our address as
specified in Paragraph 18 of this Agreement within seven (7) days after
the summons or other first legal process shall have been served. The
failure so to notify us of any such action shall not relieve us from any
liability which we may have to you or your officers and directors, or to
the Fund or its officers and directors or trustees or managing general
partners, or to any such controlling person, by reason or any such breach,
failure or untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged
omission, otherwise than on account of our indemnity agreement contained
in this Paragraph 13(b). We shall be entitled to assume the defense of any
suit brought to enforce any such claim, demand, liability or expense. In the
event that we elect to assume the defense of any such suit and retain
counsel, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in case we
do not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, we will reimburse you
and your officers and directors, and the Fund and its officers and directors
or trustees or managing general partners, and any controlling persons
named as defendants in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any counsel
retained by you and/or them. Our indemnification agreements contained in
Paragraph 8 above, Paragraph 16 below and this Paragraph 13(b) shall
remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of any person entitled to
indemnification pursuant to Paragraph 8 above, Paragraph 16 below or this
Paragraph 13(b), and shall survive the delivery of any Fund shares and
termination of this Agreement. Such agreements of indemnity will inure
exclusively to the benefit of the persons entitled to indemnification
hereunder and their respective estates, successors and assigns.
14. The names and addresses and other information concerning our
customers are and shall remain our sole property, and neither you nor your
affiliates shall use such names, addresses or other information for any
purpose except in connection with the performance of your duties and
responsibilities hereunder and except for servicing and informational
mailings relating to the Funds. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
Paragraph 14 shall not prohibit you or any of your affiliates from utilizing
for any purpose the names, addresses or other information concerning any
of our customers if such names, addresses or other information are
obtained in any manner other than from us pursuant to this Agreement. The
provisions of this Paragraph 14 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
15. We agree to serve as a service agent or to provide distribution
assistance, in accordance with the terms of the Form of Service
Agreement annexed hereto as Appendix A, Form of Shareholder Services
Agreement annexed hereto as Appendix B, and/or Form of Distribution Plan
Agreement annexed hereto as Appendix C, as applicable, for all of our
customers who purchase shares of any and all Funds whose Prospectuses
provide therefor. By executing this Agreement, each of the parties hereto
agrees to be bound by all terms, conditions, rights and obligations set
forth in the forms of agreement annexed hereto and further agrees that
such forms of agreement supersede any and all prior service agreements
or other similar agreements between the parties hereto relating to any
Fund or Funds. It is recognized that certain parties may not be permitted
to collect distribution fees under the Form of Distribution Plan Agreement
annexed hereto, and if we are such a party, we will not collect such fees.
16. By completing the Expedited Redemption Information Form annexed
hereto as Appendix D, we agree that you, each Fund with respect to which
you permit us to exercise an expedited redemption privilege, the Transfer
Agent of each such Fund, and your and their respective officers, directors
or trustees or managing general partners, agents, employees and affiliates
shall not be liable for and shall be fully indemnified and held harmless by
us from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of
or in connection with any expedited redemption payments made in reliance
upon the information set forth in such Appendix D.
17. Neither this Agreement nor the performance of the services of the
respective parties hereunder shall be considered to constitute an
exclusive arrangement, or to create a partnership, association or joint
venture between you and us. Neither party hereto shall be, act as, or
represent itself as, the agent or representative of the other, nor shall
either party have the right or authority to assume, create or incur any
liability or any obligation of any kind, express or implied, against or in the
name of, or on behalf of, the other party. This Agreement is not intended
to, and shall not, create any rights against either party hereto by any third
party solely on account of this Agreement. Neither party hereto shall use
the name of the other party in any manner without the other party's prior
written consent, except as required by any applicable federal or state law,
rule, regulation, requirement or condition, and except pursuant to any
promotional programs mutually agreed upon in writing by the parties
hereto.
18. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices
required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be
given in writing and delivered by personal delivery or by postage prepaid,
registered or certified United States first class mail, return receipt
requested, or by telecopier, telex, telegram or similar means of same day
delivery (with a confirming copy by mail as provided herein). Unless
otherwise notified in writing, all notices to you shall be given or sent to
you at your offices, located at One Exchange Place, Tenth Floor, Boston, MA
02109, Attn: President (with a copy to the same address, Attention:
General Counsel), and all notices to us shall be given or sent to us at our
address shown below.
19. This Agreement shall become effective only when accepted and
signed by you, and may be terminated at any time by either party hereto
upon 15 days' prior written notice to the other party. This Agreement,
including the Appendices hereto, may be amended by you upon 15 days'
prior written notice to us, and such amendment shall be deemed accepted
by us upon the placement of any order for the purchase of Fund shares or
the acceptance of a fee payable under this Agreement, including the
Appendices hereto, after the effective date of any such amendment. This
Agreement may not be assigned by us without your prior written consent.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding
between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes any and all prior agreements between the parties hereto
relating to the subject matter hereof.
20. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to
principles of conflicts of laws.
Very truly yours,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Broker or Dealer (Please Print
or Type)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address
Date: --------------------------------- By:----------------------------------
Authorized Signature
NOTE: Please sign and return both copies of this Agreement to Premier
Mutual Fund Services, Inc. Upon acceptance one countersigned copy will be
returned to you for your files.
Accepted:
PREMIER MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC.
Date: --------------------------------- By:----------------------------------
Authorized Signature
APPENDIX A
TO BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT
FORM OF SERVICE AGREEMENT
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
One Exchange Place
Tenth Floor
Boston, MA 02109
Gentlemen:
We wish to enter into an Agreement with you for servicing shareholders
of, and administering shareholder accounts in, certain mutual fund(s)
managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus Corporation or its
subsidiaries or affiliates (hereinafter referred to individually as the
"Fund" and collectively as the "Funds"). You are the principal underwriter
as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"),
and the exclusive agent for the continuous distribution of shares of the
Funds.
The terms and conditions of this Agreement are as follows:
1. We agree to provide shareholder and administrative services for our
clients who own shares of the Funds ("clients"), which services may
include, without limitation: answering client inquiries about the Funds;
assisting clients in changing dividend options, account designations and
addresses; performing sub-accounting; establishing and maintaining
shareholder accounts and records; processing purchase and redemption
transactions; investing client account cash balances automatically in
shares of one or more of the Funds; providing periodic statements and/or
reports showing a client's account balance and integrating such
statements with those of other transactions and balances in the client's
other accounts serviced by us; arranging for bank wires; and providing
such other information and services as you reasonably may request, to the
extent we are permitted by applicable statute, rule or regulation. We
represent and warrant to, and agree with you, that the compensation
payable to us hereunder, together with any other compensation payable to
us by clients in connection with the investment of their assets in shares
of the Funds, will be properly disclosed by us to our clients.
2. We shall provide such office space and equipment, telephone
facilities and personnel (which may be all or any part of the space,
equipment and facilities currently used in our business, or all or any
personnel employed by us) as is necessary or beneficial for providing
information and services to each Fund's shareholders, and to assist you in
servicing accounts of clients. We shall transmit promptly to clients all
communications sent to us for transmittal to clients by or on behalf of
you, any Fund, or any Fund's investment adviser, custodian or transfer or
dividend disbursing agent.
3. We agree that neither we nor any of our employees or agents are
authorized to make any representation concerning shares of any Fund,
except those contained in the then current Prospectus for such Fund,
copies of which will be supplied by you to us in reasonable quantities upon
request. We shall have no authority to act as agent for the Funds or for
you.
4. You reserve the right, at your discretion and without notice, to
suspend the sale of shares or withdraw the sale of shares of any or all of
the Funds.
5. We acknowledge that this Agreement shall become effective for a
Fund only when approved by vote of a majority of (i) the Fund's Board of
Directors or Trustees or Managing General Partners, as the case may be
(collectively "Directors," individually "Director"), and (ii) Directors who
are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of the Fund and have no
direct or indirect financial interest in this Agreement, cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
6. This Agreement shall continue until the last day of the calendar year
next following the date of execution, and thereafter shall continue
automatically for successive annual periods ending on the last day of each
calendar year. For all Funds as to which Board approval of this Agreement
is required, such continuance must be approved specifically at least
annually by a vote of a majority of (i) the Fund's Board of Directors and
(ii) Directors who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of
the Fund and have no direct or indirect financial interest in this
Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval. For any Fund as to which Board approval of this
Agreement is required, this Agreement is terminable without penalty, at
any time, by a majority of the Fund's Directors who are not "interested
persons" (as defined in the Act) and have no direct or indirect financial
interest in this Agreement or, upon not more than 60 days' written notice,
by vote of holders of a majority of the Fund's shares. As to all Funds, this
Agreement is terminable without penalty upon 15 days' notice by either
party. In addition, you may terminate this Agreement as to any or all Funds
immediately, without penalty, if the present investment adviser of such
Fund(s) ceases to serve the Fund(s) in such capacity, or if you cease to act
as distributor of such Fund(s). Notwithstanding anything contained herein,
if we fail to perform the shareholder servicing and administrative
functions contemplated herein by you as to any or all of the Funds, this
Agreement shall be terminable effective upon receipt of notice thereof by
us. This Agreement also shall terminate automatically in the event of its
assignment (as defined in the Act).
7. In consideration of the services and facilities described herein, we
shall be entitled to receive from you, and you agree to pay to us, the fees
described as payable to us in each Fund's Service Plan adopted pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Act, and Prospectus and related Statement of
Additional Information. We understand that any payments pursuant to this
Agreement shall be paid only so long as this Agreement and such Plan are
in effect. We agree that no Director, officer or shareholder of the Fund
shall be liable individually for the performance of the obligations
hereunder or for any such payments.
8. We agree to provide to you and each applicable Fund such information
relating to our services hereunder as may be required to be maintained by
you and/or such Fund under applicable federal or state laws, and the rules,
regulations, requirements or conditions of applicable regulatory and self-
regulatory agencies or authorities.
9. This Agreement shall not constitute either party the legal
representative of the other, nor shall either party have the right or
authority to assume, create or incur any liability or any obligation of any
kind, express or implied, against or in the name of or on behalf of the
other party.
10. All notices required or permitted to be given pursuant to this
Agreement shall be given in writing and delivered by personal delivery or
by postage prepaid, registered or certified United States first class mail,
return receipt requested, or by telecopier, telex, telegram or similar
means of same day delivery (with a confirming copy by mail as provided
herein). Unless otherwise notified in writing, all notices to you shall be
given or sent to you at One Exchange Place, Tenth Floor, Boston, MA 02109,
Attention: President (with a copy to the same address, Attention: General
Counsel), and all notices to us shall be given or sent to us at our address
which shall be furnished to you in writing on or before the effective date
of this Agreement.
11. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the internal
laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to principles of
conflict of laws.
[LETTERHEAD OF STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN]
EXHIBIT 10
November 9, 1984
Park Avenue New York Tax Exempt
Intermediate Bond Fund, Inc.
600 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Park Avenue New York Tax
Exempt Intermediate Bond Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") in connection
with the preparation of a Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
Registration No. 2-92285 (the "Registration Statement"), covering
shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Fund.
We have examined copies of the Articles of Incorporation
and By-Laws of the Fund, the Registration Statement, and such
other corporate records and documents as we have deemed necessary
for the purpose of this opinion. We have also examined such
other documents, papers, statutes and authorities as we deemed
necessary to form a basis for the opinion hereinafter expressed.
In our examination of such material, we have assumed the
genuineness of all signatures and the conformity to original
documents of all copies submitted to us. As to various questions
of fact material to such opinion, we have relied upon statements
and certificates of officers and representatives of the Fund and
others.
Attorneys involved in the preparation of this opinion are
admitted only to the bar of the State of New York. As to various
questions arising under the laws of the State of Maryland, we
have relied on the opinion of Messrs. Venable, Baetjer and
Howard, a copy of which is attached hereto.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Fund to
be issued in accordance with the terms of the offering as set
forth in the Prospectus included as part of the Registration
Statement, when so issued and paid for, will constitute validly
authorized and issued shares of Common Stock, fully paid and
nonassessable.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us
in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement, and to
the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to any application made
by or on behalf of the Fund or any Distributor or dealer in
connection with the registration and qualification of the Fund or
its Common Stock under the securities laws of any state or
jurisdiction. In giving such permission, we do not admit hereby
that we come within the category of persons whose consent is
required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933 or the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder.
Very truly yours,
STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN
[LETTERHEAD OF VENABLE, BAETJER AND HOWARD]
November 9, 1984
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan
Seven Hanover Square
New York, New York 10004
Re: Park Avenue New York Tax Exempt
Intermediate Bond Fund, Inc.
Gentlemen:
We have acted as Maryland counsel for Park Avenue New
York Tax Exempt Intermediate Bond Fund, Inc., a Maryland
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the organization
of the Company and the issuance of shares of its Common Stock.
We have examined the Company's Articles of
Incorporation, its Bylaws, the prospectus included in its
Registration Statement, substantially in the form in which it is
to become effective (the "Prospectus") and have examined and
relied upon such corporate records of the Company and other
documents and certificates as to factual matters we have deemed
to be necessary to render the opinion expressed herein. We have
assumed without independent verification the genuineness of the
signatures on and the authenticity of all documents furnished to
us.
Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is duly organized and validly
existing as a corporation in good standing under
the laws of the State of Maryland.
2. The 6,061 shares of presently issued and
outstanding Common Stock of the Company have been
validly and legally issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable shares under the laws of the State
of Maryland.
3. The balance of the shares of Common Stock of the
Company to be offered for sale pursuant to the
Prospectus are authorized and unissued shares,
and when such shares have been duly issued and
paid for as contemplated in the Prospectus such
shares will have been validly and legally issued,
and will be fully paid and nonassessable shares
of Common Stock of the Company under the laws of
the State of Maryland.
This letter expresses our opinion as to the Maryland
General Corporation law governing matters such as due
incorporation and the authorization and issuance of stock, but
does not extend to the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of Maryland
or to federal securities laws or to other laws.
You may rely upon our foregoing opinion in rendering
your opinion to the Company which is to be filed as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement, and we hereby consent to the
filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
VENABLE, BAETJER AND HOWARD
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Condensed
Financial Information" and "Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Disbursing
Agent, Counsel and Independent Auditors" and to the use of our report
dated December 7, 1994, in this Registration Statement (Form N-1A
No. 2-92285) of General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
New York, New York
December 28, 1994
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
SERVICE PLAN
Introduction: It has been proposed that the above-
captioned investment company (the "Fund") adopt a Service Plan
(the "Plan") in accordance with Rule 12b-1, promulgated under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"). Under
the Plan, the Fund would pay for the costs and expenses of
preparing, printing and distributing its prospectuses and
statements of additional information, and would (a) reimburse the
Fund's distributor (the "Distributor") for payments to third
parties for distributing the Fund's shares and servicing
shareholder accounts ("Servicing") (the payments in this clause
(a) being referred to as the "Distributor Payments") and (b)
pay The Dreyfus Corporation, Dreyfus Service Corporation and any
affiliate of either of them (collectively, "Dreyfus") for
advertising and marketing relating to the Fund and for Servicing
(the payments in this clause (b) being referred to as "Dreyfus
Payments"). If this proposal is to be implemented, the Act and
said Rule 12b-1 require that a written plan describing all
material aspects of the proposed financing be adopted by the
Fund.
The Fund's Board, in considering whether the Fund
should implement a written plan, has requested and evaluated such
information as it deemed necessary to an informed determination
as to whether a written plan should be implemented and has
considered such pertinent factors as it deemed necessary to form
the basis for a decision to use assets of the Fund for such
purposes.
In voting to approve the implementation of such a plan,
the Board members have concluded, in the exercise of their
reasonable business judgment and in light of their respective
fiduciary duties, that there is a reasonable likelihood that the
plan set forth below will benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
The Plan: The material aspects of this Plan are as
follows:
1. The Fund shall pay all costs of preparing and
printing prospectuses and statements of additional information
for regulatory purposes and for distribution to existing
shareholders. The Fund also shall pay an amount of the costs and
expenses in connection with (a) preparing, printing and
distributing the Fund's prospectuses and statements of additional
information used for other purposes and (b) implementing and
operating this Plan, such aggregate amount not to exceed in any
fiscal year of the Fund the greater of $100,000 or .005 of 1% of
the average daily value of the Fund's net assets for such fiscal
year.
2. (a) The aggregate annual fee the Fund may pay under
this Plan for Distributor Payments and Dreyfus Payments is .20 of
1% of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets for such
year (the "Aggregate Amount").
(b) The Fund shall reimburse the Distributor in respect
of Distributor Payments an amount not to exceed an annual rate of
.20 of 1% of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets for
such year (the "Distributor Amount").
(c) The Fund shall pay Dreyfus in respect of Dreyfus
Payments an annual fee equal to the difference between Aggregate
Amount and the Distributor Amount for such year.
(d) Each of the Distributor and Dreyfus may pay one or
more securities dealers, financial institutions (which may
include banks) or other industry professionals, such as
investment advisers, accountants and estate planning firms
(severally, a "Service Agent"), a fee in respect of the Fund's
shares owned by investors with whom the Service Agent has a
Servicing relationship or for whom the Service Agent is the
dealer or holder of record. Each of the Distributor and Dreyfus
shall determine the amounts to be paid to the Service Agents to
which it will make payments under this Plan and the basis on
which such payments will be made. Payments to a Service Agent
are subject to compliance by the Service Agent with the terms of
any related Plan agreement between the Service Agent and the
Distributor or Dreyfus, as the case may be.
3. For the purposes of determining the fees payable
under this Plan, the value of the Fund's net assets shall be
computed in the manner specified in the Fund's charter documents
as then in effect for the computation of the value of the Fund's
net assets.
4. The Fund's Board shall be provided, at least
quarterly, with a written report of all amounts expended pursuant
to this Plan. The report shall state the purpose for which the
amounts were expended.
5. This Plan will become effective upon the later to
occur of (i) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
December 5, 1993 by and among Mellon Bank Corporation, Mellon
Bank, N.A., XYZ Sub Corporation and The Dreyfus Corporation or
(ii) approval by (a) holders of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding shares, and (b) a majority of the Board members,
including a majority of the Board members who are not "interested
persons" (as defined in the Act) of the Fund and have no direct
or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or
in any agreements entered into in connection with this Plan,
pursuant to a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on the approval of this Plan.
6. This Plan shall continue until October 31, 1994,
unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms, and
thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual
periods, provided such continuance is approved at least annually
in the manner provided in paragraph 5(b) hereof.
7. This Plan may be amended at any time by the Fund's
Board, provided that (a) any amendment to increase materially the
costs which the Fund may bear pursuant to this Plan shall be
effective only upon approval by a vote of the holders of a
majority of the Fund's outstanding shares, and (b) any material
amendments of the terms of this Plan shall become effective only
upon approval as provided in paragraph 5(b) hereof.
8. This Plan is terminable without penalty at any time
by (a) vote of a majority of the Board members who are not
"interested persons" (as defined in the Act) of the Fund and have
no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this
Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with this
Plan, or (b) vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's
outstanding shares.
Dated: May 26, 1994
OTHER EXHIBITS(b)
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
Certificate of Secretary
The undersigned, Eric B. Fischman, Assistant Secretary of
General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), hereby
certifies that set forth below is a true and correct copy of the
resolution adopted by the Fund's Board of Directors pursuant to
written consent dated August 30, 1994.
RESOLVED, that the Registration Statement and
any and all amendments and supplements thereto, may be signed by
any one of Frederick C. Dey, Eric B.Fischman, Ruth D. Leibert and
John Pelletier as the attorney-in-fact for the proper officers of
the Fund, with full power of substitution and resubstitution; and
that the appointment of each of such persons as such attorney-in-
fact hereby is authorized and approved; and that such attorneys-
in-fact, and each of them, shall have full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in connection with such Registration
Statement and any and all amendments and supplements thereto, as
fully to all intents and purposes as the officer, for whom he is
acting as attorney-in-fact, might or could do in person.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and
affixed the seal of the Fund on December 30, 1994.
/s/ Eric B. Fischman
Eric B. Fischman
Assistant Secretary
(SEAL)
Other Exhibits
(a)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frederick C.
Dey, Eric B. Fischman, Ruth D. Leibert and John E. Pelletier and
each of them, with full power to act without the other, his or
her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and in his or her name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities (until revoked in
writing) to sign any and all amendments to the Registration
Statement for each Fund listed on Schedule A attached hereto
(including post-effective amendments and amendments thereto), and
to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or
her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Marie E. Connolly
Marie E. Connolly, President and Treasurer
SCHEDULE A
GROUPS IV & V
Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Inc.
General California Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
General California Municipal Money Market Fund
General Government Securities Money Market Fund, Inc.
General Money Market Fund, Inc.
General Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
General Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
General New York Municipal Money Market Fund
Premier California Municipal Bond Fund
Premier GNMA Fund
Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Premier Insured Municipal Bond Fund
Premier Limited Term Municipal Bond Fund
Premier Municipal Bond Fund
Premier New York Municipal Bond Fund
Premier State Municipal Bond Fund
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitute and appoint Frederick C.
Dey, Eric B. Fischman, Ruth D. Leibert and John E. Pelletier and
each of them, with full power to act without the other, his or
her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or
her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities (until
revoked in writing) to sign any and all amendments to the
Registration Statement for each Fund listed on Schedule A
attached hereto (including post-effective amendments and
amendments thereto), and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-
in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of
them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Clifford L. Alexander, Jr.
Clifford L. Alexander, Jr., Board Member
/s/ Peggy C. Davis
Peggy C. Davis, Board Member
/s/Ernest Kafka
Ernest Kafka, Board Member
/s/Saul B. Klaman
Saul B. Klaman, Board Member
/s/Nathan Leventhal
Nathan Leventhal, Board Member
Dated August 30, 1994
SCHEDULE A
GROUPS IV & V
Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Inc.
General California Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
General California Municipal Money Market Fund
General Government Securities Money Market Fund, Inc.
General Money Market Fund, Inc.
General Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
General Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
General New York Municipal Money Market Fund
Premier California Municipal Bond Fund
Premier GNMA Fund
Premier Growth Fund, Inc.
Premier Insured Municipal Bond Fund
Premier Limited Term Municipal Bond Fund
Premier Municipal Bond Fund
Premier New York Municipal Bond Fund
Premier State Municipal Bond Fund
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000750002
<NAME> GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1994
<PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1994
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 308980
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 303414
<RECEIVABLES> 6042
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 5
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 309,461
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 1465
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 1465
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 311657
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 16444
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 17133
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 1905
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> (5566)
<NET-ASSETS> 307996
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 23014
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 2750
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 20264
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1906
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (46197)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> (24027)
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 20385
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 5589
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 8860
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 12634
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 980
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (106140)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 129752
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 1780
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
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<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 2150
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 3191
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 358368
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 21.53
<PER-SHARE-NII> 1.14
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> (2.49)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> 1.15
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 1.30
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 18.73
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .01
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
