File No. 2-96709
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. 12 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 12 [X]
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
(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)
----
X on September 1, 1995 pursuant to paragraph (b)
----
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
----
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
----
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii)
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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
beneficial interest 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 May 31, 1995 was filed on July 12, 1995.
DREYFUS MASSACUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
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 4
5 Management of the Fund 12
5(a) Management's Discussion of Fund's Performance *
6 Capital Stock and Other Securities 22
7 Purchase of Securities Being Offered 13
8 Redemption or Repurchase 17
9 Pending Legal Proceedings *
Items in
Part B of
Form N-1A
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10 Cover Page B-1
11 Table of Contents B-1
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-13
Holders of Securities
16 Investment Advisory and Other B-14
Services
_____________________________________
NOTE: * Omitted since answer is negative or inapplicable.
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
Cross-Reference Sheet Pursuant to Rule 495(a) (continued)
Items in
Part B of
Form N-1A Caption Page
_________ _______ _____
17 Brokerage Allocation B-22
18 Capital Stock and Other Securities B-25
19 Purchase, Redemption and Pricing B-16, B-17
of Securities Being Offered
20 Tax Status *
21 Underwriters B-16
22 Calculations of Performance Data B-23
23 Financial Statements B-37
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
September 1, 1995
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS
TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
Supplement to Prospectus Dated September 1, 1995
All mutual fund shares involve certain investment risks, including
the possible loss of principal.
267/s090195IST
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PROSPECTUS SEPTEMBER 1, 1995
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
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DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND (THE "FUND") IS AN
OPEN-END, NON-DIVERSIFIED, MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY, KNOWN AS A
MUNICIPAL BOND FUND. ITS GOAL IS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH AS HIGH A LEVEL OF
CURRENT INCOME EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL AND MASSACHUSETTS INCOME TAXES AS IS
CONSISTENT WITH THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL.
YOU CAN INVEST, REINVEST OR REDEEM SHARES AT ANY TIME WITHOUT CHARGE
OR PENALTY.
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.
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 SEPTEMBER 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 144.
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........................... 4
Management of the Fund............................ 12
How to Buy Fund Shares............................ 13
Shareholder Services.............................. 14
How to Redeem Fund Shares......................... 17
Shareholder Services Plan......................... 20
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes................ 20
Performance Information........................... 22
General Information............................... 22
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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%
Other Expenses........................................................................... .20%
Total Fund Operating Expenses ........................................................... .80%
</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: $8 $26 $44 $99
</TABLE>
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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. You can purchase Fund shares without charge directly from the Fund's
distributor; you may be charged a nominal fee if you effect transactions in
Fund shares through a securities dealer, bank or other financial institution.
See "Management of the Fund" and "Shareholder Services Plan."
Page 3
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The information in the following table has been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, the Fund's independent auditors, whose report thereon appears in
the Statement of Additional Information. Further financial data and related
notes are included in the Statement of Additional Information, available upon
request.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share
of beneficial interest 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>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED MAY 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1986(1) 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
------- ----- ---- ----- ---- ---- ----- ----- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE DATA
Net asset value, beginning of year... $15.50 $15.89 $15.48 $15.22 $15.66 $15.43 $15.59 $16.20 $17.01 $16.03
------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Investment income _ net..... 1.17 1.12 1.10 1.09 1.08 1.06 1.01 .97 .91 .91
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments......... .39 (.41) (.26) .44 (.23) .16 .60 .81 (.52) .22
------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS...... 1.56 .71 .84 1.53 .85 1.22 1.61 1.78 .39 1.13
------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from investment income-net.... (1.17) (1.12) (1.10) (1.09) (1.08) (1.06) (1.00) (.97) (.92) (.91)
Dividends from net realized
gain on investments..... - - - - - - - - (.21) -
Dividends in excess of net realized
gain on investments..... - - - - - - - - (.24) -
------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS..... (1.17) (1.12) (1.10) (1.09) (1.08) (1.06) (1.00) (.97) (1.37) (.91)
------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value, end of year..... $15.89 $15.48 $15.22 $15.66 $15.43 $15.59 $16.20 $17.01 $16.03 $16.25
======= ======= ======= ====== ====== ====== ====== ======= ------ ------
TOTALINVESTMENTRETURN..... 10.85%(2) 4.27% 5.61% 10.39% 5.58% 8.20% 10.62% 11.27% 2.07% 7.39%
RATIOS / SUPPLEMENTALDATA:
Ratio of expenses to average net assets.. .26%(2) .64% .79% .83% .83% .81% .84% .81% .80% .80%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets...... 7.66%(2) 6.75% 7.18% 7.06% 6.92% 6.87% 6.30% 5.83% 5.30% 5.77%
Decrease reflected in above expense
ratios due to undertakings by
The Dreyfus Corporation.... .86%(2) .25% .10% .04% - - - - - -
Portfolio Turnover Rate.... 103.17%(3) 39.32% 71.18% 18.05% 55.02% 49.73% 68.07% 85.29% 29.73% 38.34
Net Assets, end of year
(000's omitted)... $54,756 $81,671 $84,160 $99,108 $107,861 $120,540 $157,061 $183,601 $168,473 $160,750
</TABLE>
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(1)From June 11, 1985 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 1986.
(2)Annualized.
(3)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.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE _ The Fund's goal is to provide you with as high a
level of current income exempt from Federal and Massachusetts income taxes as
is consistent with the preservation of capital. To accomplish this goal, the
Fund invests primarily in the debt securities of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, its political subdivisions, authorities and corporations, the
interest from which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, exempt
from Federal and Massachusetts income taxes (collectively, "Massachusetts
Municipal Obligations"). To the extent acceptable Massachusetts Municipal
Obligations are at any time unavailable for investment by the Fund, the Fund
may invest temporarily in
Page 4
other debt securities the interest from which is, in the opinion of bond
counsel to the issuer, exempt from Federal, but not Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, 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 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, debentures and other debt instruments.
Generally, at least 65% of the Fund's net assets will be invested in
Massachusetts Municipal Obligations and the remainder may be invested in
securities that are not Massachusetts Municipal Obligations and therefore may
be subject to Massachusetts income taxes. See "Risk Factors_ Investing in
Massachusetts Municipal Obligations" below, and "Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes."
At least 80% 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 20% 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, but it currently is the intention of the Fund that this portion
of the Fund's portfolio be invested primarily in Municipal Obligations rated
no lower than Baa by Moody's or BBB by 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. 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 specula
tive 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
Page 5
Moody's or D by S&P or Fitch, which is the lowest rating assigned by such
rating organizations 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 80% 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 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 will invest no
more than 20% of the value of its net assets in Municipal Obligations the
interest from which gives rise to a preference item for the purpose of the
alternative minimum tax and, except for temporary defensive purposes, in
other investments subject to Federal income tax.
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 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, the
participation interest will be backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or
guarantee of a bank that the Board of Trustees 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 inter-
Page 6
ests, 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 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
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 multiclass 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 the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of the Fund's
net assets could be adversely affected.
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 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. Gains realized in connection with stand-by commitments
will be taxable. 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
Page 7
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 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 tax exempt rate. The Dreyfus Corporation, on behalf of the Fund,
will consider on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the issuers of the
underlying Municipal Obligation, 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 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 interests 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, 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
institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction
breaches its agreement with the Fund.
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 two
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-1
by Moody's, A-1 by S&P or F-1 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
Page 8
and other short-term bank obligations; and repurchase agreements in respect
of any of the foregoing. Dividends paid 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 and Municipal Obligations the
interest from which gives rise to a preference item for the purpose of the
alternative minimum tax. When the Fund has adopted a temporary defensive
position, including when acceptable Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
income tax. 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.
CERTAIN FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES _ The Fund may (i) borrow money to the extent
permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which currently limits
borrowing to no more than 331/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets; and
(ii) invest up to 25% of its assets in the securities of issuers in any
single industry, provided that there is no such limitation on the purchase of
Municipal Obligations and, for temporary defensive purposes, securities
issued by banks and 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.
RISK FACTORS
INVESTING IN MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS _ You should consider
carefully the special risks inherent in the Fund's investment in
Massachusetts Municipal Obligations. Massachusetts' economic difficulties and
fiscal problems in the late 1980s and early 1990s caused several rating
agencies to lower their ratings of Massachusetts Municipal Obligations. A
return of persistent serious financial difficulties could adversely affect
the market values and marketability of, or result in default in payment on,
outstanding Massachusetts Municipal Obligations. Massachusetts' expenditures
for State programs and services in each of the fiscal years 1987 through 1991
exceeded each year's current revenues. The budgeted operating funds of
Massachusetts ended fiscal years 1992, 1993 and 1994, however, with an excess
of revenues and other sources over expenditures and other uses of $312.3
million, $13.1 million and $26.8 million, respectively. Fiscal 1994 ended
with positive budgeted operating fund balances of $589.3 million. 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 20% 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
adverse economic changes. Bonds
Page 9
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 Municipal Obligations, 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 more 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 market 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 the value of its net 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.
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
Page 10
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.
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.
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 the 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
"reg-
Page 11
ulated 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 August 2, 1995, The Dreyfus Corporation managed or administered
approximately $79 billion in assets for approximately 1.8 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 Trustees in
accordance with Massachusetts law. The Fund's primary portfolio manager is L.
Lawrence Troutman. He has held that position since January 1986, and has been
employed by The Dreyfus Corporation since October 1985. The Fund's other
portfolio managers are identified in the 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., AFCOCredit Corporation and a
number of companies known as Mellon Financial Services Corporations. Through
its subsidiaries, including The Dreyfus Corporation, Mellon managed more than
$203 billion in assets as of June 30, 1995, including approximately $73
billion in mutual fund assets. As of June 30, 1995, Mellon, through various
subsidiaries, provided non-investment services, such as custodial or
administration services, for more than $707 billion in assets, including
approximately $71 billion in mutual fund assets.
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995, the Fund paid The Dreyfus
Corporation a monthly management 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
Page 12
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.
The Dreyfus Corporation may pay the Fund's distributor for
shareholder and distribution 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 such payments to pay
security dealers, banks or other financial institutions 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 FDI Distribution Services,
Inc., a provider of mutual fund administration services, which in turn is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of FDI Holdings, Inc., the parent company of which is
Boston Institutional Group, Inc.
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, 90 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286, is the
Fund's Custodian.
HOW TO BUY FUND SHARES
Fund shares are sold without a sales charge. You may be charged a
nominal fee if you effect transactions in Fund shares through a securities
dealer, bank or other financial institution. Share certificates are issued
only upon your written request. No certificates are issued for fractional
shares. It is not recommended that the Fund be used as a vehicle for Keogh,
IRA or other qualified 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 securities dealer, bank or other financial institution 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. Fund
shares also are offered without regard to the minimum initial investment
requirements through Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset Builder, Dreyfus Government
Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan pursuant to the
Dreyfus Step Program described under "Shareholder Services." These services
enable you to make regularly scheduled investments and may provide you with a
convenient way to invest for long-term financial goals. You should be aware,
however, that periodic investment plans do not guarantee a profit and will
not protect an investor against loss in a declining market.
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 subseq
uent 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."
Page 13
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 #8900051981/Dreyfus
Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund, 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. 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."
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. 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 Trustees 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 Trustees. For
further information regarding the methods employed in valuing Fund
investments, see "Determination of Net Asset Value" in the 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 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 shares by telephoning
1-800-221-4060 or, if you are calling from overseas, call 1-401-455-3306.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
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
Page 14
to you. If you desire to use this service, please 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 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, 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
check the applicable "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
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. 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 mailing written notification to The
Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671.
The Fund may charge a service fee for this Privilege. No such fee currently
is con-
Page 15
templated. 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 Authorizat
ion Form, please call toll free 1-800-645-6561.
DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDERRegistration Mark _ Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset
Builder permits you to purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 and maximum
$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 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 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.
DREYFUS STEP PROGRAM _ Dreyfus Step Program enables you to purchase Fund
shares without regard to the Fund's minimum initial investment requirements
through Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset Builder, Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit
Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan. To establish a Dreyfus Step
Program account, you must supply the necessary information on the Fund's
Account Application and file the required authorization form(s) with the
Transfer Agent. For more information concerning this Program, or to request
the necessary authorization form(s), please call toll free 1-800-782-6620.
You may terminate your participation in
Page 16
this Program at any time by discontinuing your participation in
Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset Builder, Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege
or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan, as the case may be, as provided under the
terms of such Privilege(s). The Fund may modify or terminate this Program at
any time.
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
prices 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.
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 minimum account. An
application for the Automatic Withdrawal Plan can be obtained by calling
1-800-645-6561. There is a service charge of 50cents 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. Securities
dealers, banks or other financial institutions may charge their clients a
nominal fee for effecting redemptions of Fund shares. Any 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 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-AUTOMATIC
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
Page 17
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 30 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 shares by using the regular redemption procedure
through the Transfer Agent, the Check Redemption Privilege, the Wire
Redemption Privilege, the Telephone Redemption Privilege, or the Dreyfus
TELETRANSFER privilege. 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 herself to be you 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
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.
Page 18
Redemption Checks may be made payable to the order of any person in the
amount of $500 or more. Potential fluctuation 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
postdate your Redemption Checks. If you do, the Transfer Agent will honor,
upon presentment, even if presented before the date of the check, all
postdated 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 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 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 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 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 a 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.
Page 19
If you have selected the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege, you may
request a Dreyfus TELETRANSFER redemption of 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.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan pursuant to which
the Fund reimburses Dreyfus Service Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
The Dreyfus Corporation, an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25 of 1%
of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets for certain allocated
expenses of providing personal services and/or maintaining shareholder
accounts. The services provided may include personal services relating to
shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the
Fund and providing reports and other information, and services related to the
maintenance of shareholder accounts.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
The Fund ordinarily declares dividends from 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, the 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 from net investment income paid by the Fund
will not be subject to Federal income tax. 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 or not 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. 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.
Dividends paid by the Fund to a Massachusetts resident are not
subject to Massachusetts personal income tax to the extent the dividends are
attributable to income received by the Fund from Massachusetts Municipal
Obligations or direct U.S. Government obligations and are properly designated
as such. Distributions of capital gain dividends by the Fund to a
Massachusetts resident are not subject to Massachusetts personal income tax
to the extent such distributions are attributable to gain from the sale of
certain Massachusetts Municipal Obligations, the gain from which is exempt
from Massachusetts personal income tax, and the distributions and properly
designated as such. Dividends or distributions by the Fund to a Massachusetts
resident that are attributable to most other sources are subject to
Massachusetts personal income tax. In addition, distributions from the Fund
may be included in the net
Page 20
income measure of the corporate excise tax for corporate shareholders which
are subject to the Massachusetts corporate excise tax. The Fund believes that
distributions from net realized long-term securities gains that are taxable
by Massachusetts are reportable as long-term capital gains, irrespective of
how long the resident has held shares in the Fund. Fund shares are not
subject to property taxation by Massachusetts or its political subdivisions.
To the extent investors are obligated to pay state or local taxes outside of
Massachusetts, dividends and distributions by the Fund may represent taxable
income.
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 dividends 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 May 31, 1995 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 taxes 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 questions as to
Federal, state or local taxes.
Page 21
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 one-year period. Calculations of the Fund's
current yield may reflect absorbed expenses pursuant to any undertaking that
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 organized as an unincorporated business trust under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts pursuant to an Agreement and
Declaration of Trust (the "Trust Agreement") dated March 13, 1985, and
commenced operations on June 11, 1985. The Trustees have authorized an
unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share.
Each share has one vote.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund.
However, the Trust Agreement disclaims shareholder liability for acts or
obligations of the Fund and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given
in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the
Fund or a Trustee. The Trust Agreement provides for indemnification from the
Fund's property for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held personally
Page 22
liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder's
incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to
circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its
obligations, a possibility which management believes is remote. Upon payment
of any liability incurred by the Fund, the shareholder paying such liability
will be entitled to reimbursement from the general assets of the Fund. The
Trustees intend to conduct the operations of the Fund in such a way so as to
avoid, as far as possible, ultimate liability of the shareholders for
liabilities of the Fund. As discussed under "Management of the Fund" in the
Statement of Additional Information, the Fund ordinarily will not hold
shareholder meetings; however, shareholders under certain circumstances may
have the right to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting to
remove Trustees.
The Transfer Agent maintains a record of your ownership and sends you
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; outside the U.S. and
Canada, call 516-794-5452.
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 23
DREYFUS
Massachusetts
Tax Exempt
Bond Fund
Prospectus
(lion Logo)
Registration Mark
Copy Rights 1995, Dreyfus Service Corporation
267p14090195
__________________________________________________________________________
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
PART B
(STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
SEPTEMBER 1, 1995
__________________________________________________________________________
This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus,
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus
of Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund (the "Fund"), dated
September 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
Outside the U.S. and Canada--Call 516-794-5452
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-9
Management Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-13
Shareholder Services Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-15
Purchase of Fund Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-15
Redemption of Fund Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-16
Shareholder Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-19
Determination of Net Asset Value. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-21
Portfolio Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-21
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-22
Performance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-23
Information About the Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-24
Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent,
Counsel and Independent Auditors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-24
Appendix A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-26
Appendix B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-29
Financial Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-37
Report of Independent Auditors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-46
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 May 31,
1995, computed on a monthly basis, was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fitch Investors Moody's Investors Standard & Poor's
Service, Inc. Service, Inc. Corporation Percent of
("Fitch") or ("Moody's") or ("S&P") Value
<S> <C> <C> <C>
AAA Aaa AAA 41.6%
AA Aa AA 14.7
A A A 29.7
BBB Baa BBB 5.1
F-1 VMIG-1/MIG-1, P-1 SP-1, A-1 1.1(1)
Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated 7.8(2)
--------
100.0%
========
</TABLE>
_____________________________________
(1) Includes tax exempt notes rated in one of the two highest rating
categories by Moody's, S&P or Fitch. These securities, together with
Municipal Obligations rated Baa or better by Moody's or BBB or better
by S&P or Fitch, are taken into account at the time of a purchase for
purposes of determining that the Fund's portfolio meets the 80%
minimum quality standard discussed in the Fund's Prospectus.
(2) Included in the Not Rated category are securities comprising 7.8% of
the Fund's market value which, while not rated, have been determined
by the Manager to be of comparable quality to securities in the
AAA/Aaa (.2%) and Baa/BBB (7.6%) rating category.
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, 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 obligations.
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
illiquid securities. See "Investment Restriction No. 11" below.
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.
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.
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 Trustees.
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 Trustees 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 the Fund's portfolio during such period.
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. 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 Bank, 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 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.
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.
Risk Factors
Investing in Massachusetts Municipal Obligations. Investors should
consider carefully the special risks inherent in the Fund's investment in
Massachusetts Municipal Obligations. Massachusetts' economic difficulties
and fiscal problems in the late 1980s and early 1990s caused several
rating agencies to lower their ratings of Massachusetts Municipal
Obligations. A return of persistent serious financial difficulties could
adversely affect the market values and marketability of, or result in
default in payment on, outstanding Massachusetts Municipal Obligations.
Massachusetts' expenditures for State programs and services in each of the
fiscal years 1987 through 1991 exceeded each year's current revenues. The
budgeted operating funds of Massachusetts ended fiscal years 1992, 1993
and 1994, however, with an excess of revenues and other sources over
expenditures and other uses of $312.3 million, $13.1 million and $26.8
million, respectfully. Fiscal 1994 ended with positive budgeted operating
fund balances of $589.3 million. 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 in the Prospectus
"Description of the Fund--Risk Factors-- Lower Rated Bonds" 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 and will fluctuate over time. These bonds are considered
by S&P, Moody's and Fitch, on balance, as 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 downturn. 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 any person 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, in which the Fund may invest up
to 5% of its total assets, involve special considerations. The credit
risk factors pertaining to lower rated securities also apply to lower
rated zero coupon bonds. Such zero coupon 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, which cannot be changed without approval by the
holders of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended ("Act")) of the Fund's outstanding voting shares. Investment
restrictions numbered 8 through 12 are not fundamental policies and may be
changed by a vote of a majority of the Fund's Trustees 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, securities issued by banks and
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities.
2. Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the Act
(which currently limits borrowing to no more than 33-1/3% of the
value of the Fund's total assets). 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 Trustees.
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 Restrictions numbered 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 indices, and options on futures contracts or
indices.
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 permitted borrowings
and 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 related 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
interest (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 an 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
interests 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
Trustees and officers of the Fund, together with information as to
their principal business occupations during at least the last five years,
are shown below. Each Trustee who is deemed to be an "interested person"
of the Fund, as defined in the Act, is indicated by an asterisk.
Trustees of the Fund
*JOSEPH S. DiMARTINO, Chairman of the Board. Since January 1995, Chairman
of the Board for various funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. For
more than five years prior thereto, he was President, a director and,
until August 1994, Chief Operating Officer of the Manager and
Executive Vice President and a director of Dreyfus Service
Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager and, until
August 24, 1994, the Fund's distributor. From August 1994 to
December 31, 1994, he was a director of Mellon Bank Corporation. He
is Chairman of the Board of Noel Group, Inc., a venture capital
company; a trustee of Bucknell University; and a director of the
Muscular Dystrophy Association, HealthPlan Services Corporation,
Belding Heminway Company, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of
industrial threads, specialty yarn, home furnishing fabrics, and
Curtis Industries, Inc., a national distributor of security products,
chemicals and automotive and other hardware, Simmons Outdoor
Corporation and Staffing Resources, Inc. He is 51 years old and his
address is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
*DAVID W. BURKE, Trustee. Consultant to the Manager since August 1994.
From October 1990 to August 1994, Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer of the Manager. From 1977 to 1990, Mr. Burke
was involved in the management of national television news, as Vice
President and Executive Vice President of ABC News, and subsequently
as President of CBS News. He is 59 years old and his address is 200
Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
SAMUEL CHASE, Trustee. Since 1982, President of Samuel Chase & Company,
Ltd., an economic consulting firm. From 1983 to 1989, Chairman of
Chase, Brown & Blaxall, Inc., an economic consulting firm. He is 63
years old and his address is 4410 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Suite
408, Washington, D.C. 20016.
GORDON J. DAVIS, Trustee. Since October 1994, a senior partner with the
firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae. From 1983 to September 1994,
Mr. Davis was a senior partner with the law firm of Lord Day & Lord,
Barrett Smith. From 1978 to 1983, he was Commissioner of Parks and
Recreation for the City of New York. He is also a director of
Consolidated Edison, a utility company, and Phoenix Home Life
Insurance Company and a member of various other corporate and not-
for-profit boards. He is 53 years old and his address is 241 Central
Park West, New York, New York 10023.
JONI EVANS, Trustee. Senior Vice President of the William Morris Agency.
From September 1987 to May 1993, Executive Vice President of Random
House, Inc. and, from January 1991 to May 1993, President and
Publisher of Turtle Bay Books; from January 1987 to December 1990,
Publisher of Random House Adult Trade Division; and from 1985 to
1987, President of Simon and Schuster - Trade Division. She is 53
years old and her address is 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York,
New York 10022.
ARNOLD S. HIATT, Trustee. Chairman of The Stride Rite Foundation. From
1969 to June 1992, Chairman of the Board, President or Chief
Executive Officer of The Stride Rite Corporation, a multi-divisional
footwear manufacturing and retailing company. Mr. Hiatt is also a
director of The Cabot Corporation. He is 68 years old and his
address is 400 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
DAVID J. MAHONEY, Trustee. President of David Mahoney Ventures since
1983. From 1968 to 1983, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Norton Simon Inc., a producer of consumer products and services.
Mr. Mahoney is also a director of National Health Laboratories Inc.,
Bionaire Inc. and Good Samaritan Health Systems, Inc. He is 72 years
old and his address is 745 Fifth Avenue, Suite 700, New York, New
York 10151.
BURTON N. WALLACK, Trustee. President and co-owner of Wallack Management
Company, a real estate management company managing real estate in the
New York City area. He is 44 years old and his address is 18 East
64th Street, Suite 3D, New York, New York 10021.
Ordinarily, no meetings of shareholders will be held for the purpose
of electing Trustees unless and until such time as less than a majority of
the Trustees holding office have been elected by shareholders, at which
time the Trustees then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for the
election of Trustees. Under the Act, shareholders of record of not less
than two-thirds of the Fund's outstanding shares may remove a Trustee
through a declaration in writing or by vote cast in person or by proxy at
a meeting called for that purpose. The Trustees are required to call a
meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of
removal of any such Trustee when requested in writing to do so by the
shareholders of record of not less than 10% of the Fund's outstanding
shares.
For so long as the Fund's plan described in the section "Shareholder
Services Plan" remains in effect, the Trustees of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the Act, will be selected
and nominated by the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the
Fund.
The Fund typically pays its Trustees an annual retainer and a per
meeting fee and reimburses them for their expenses. The Chairman of the
Board receives an additional 25% of such compensation. The aggregate
amount of compensation paid by the Fund to each Trustee for the fiscal
year ended May 31, 1995, and by all other funds in the Dreyfus Family of
Funds for which such person is a Board member (the number of which is set
forth in parenthesis next to each Board member's total compensation) for
the year ended December 31, 1994, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(3) (5)
(2) Pension or (4) Total Compensation
(1) Aggregate Retirement Benefits Estimated Annual From Fund and
Name of Board Compensation From Accrued as Part of Benefits Upon Fund Complex
Member Fund* Fund's Expenses Retirement Paid to Board Member
-------------- ------------------ ------------------- ----------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
David W. Burke $2,245 none none $ 27,898 (51)
Joseph S. DiMartino $3,125** none none $445,000*** (93)
Samuel Chase $2,700 none none $ 46,250 (13)
Gordon J. Davis $ 505 none none $ 29,602 (24)
Joni Evans $2,750 none none $ 46,250 (13)
Arnold S. Hiatt $2,750 none none $ 42,750 (13)
David J. Mahoney $2,250 none none $ 43,000 (13)
Burton N. Wallack $2,750 none none $ 46,250 (13)
_____________________
* Amount does not include reimbursed expenses for attending Board meetings, which
amounted to $457 for all Directors as a group.
** Estimated amount for current fiscal year ending May 31, 1996.
*** Estimated amount for the year ending December 31, 1995.
</TABLE>
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., the ultimate parent of which is Boston
Institutional Group, Inc. Prior to December 1991, she served as Vice
President and Controller, and later as Senior Vice President, of The
Boston Company Advisors, Inc. She is 37 years old.
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. He is 30 years old.
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. He is 30 years old.
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. He is 33 years old.
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. He is 32 years old.
JOHN J. PYBURN, Assistant Treasurer. Assistant Treasurer 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. He is 59 years old.
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. She is 50 years old.
The address of each officer of the Fund is 200 Park Avenue, New York,
New York 10166.
Trustees and officers of the Fund, as a group, owned less than 1% of
the Fund's shares of beneficial interest outstanding on July 31, 1995.
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 Trustees 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 Trustees 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 of the Fund on August 2, 1994, and
was last approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees, including a majority of
the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of any party to the
Agreement, at a meeting held on April 26, 1995. The Agreement is
terminable without penalty, on not more than 60 days' notice, by the
Fund's Board of Trustees or by vote of the holders of a majority of the
Fund's outstanding voting shares, or, upon 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; W. Keith
Smith, Vice Chairman of the Board; Robert E. Riley, President, Chief
Operating Officer and a director; Stephen E. Canter, Vice Chairman, Chief
Investment Officer and a director; Lawrence S. Kash, Vice Chairman-
Distribution and a director; Philip L. Toia, Vice Chairman-Operations and
Administration; Daniel C. Maclean, Vice President and General Counsel;
Barbara E. Casey, Vice President-Dreyfus Retirement Services; Diane M.
Coffey, Vice President-Corporate Communications; Elie M. Genadry, Vice
President-Institutional Sales; William F. Glavin, Jr., Vice President-
Corporate Development; Henry D. Gottmann, Vice President-Retail Sales and
Service; Mark N. Jacobs, Vice President-Mutual Fund Legal and Compliance
and Secretary; Jeffrey N. Nachman, Vice President-Mutual Fund Accounting;
Andrew S. Wasser, Vice President-Information Services; Katherine C.
Wickham, Vice President-Human Resources; Elvira Oslapas, Assistant
Secretary; Maurice Bendrihem, Controller; and Mandell L. Berman, Frank V.
Cahouet, Alvin E. Friedman, Lawrence M. Greene, Julian M. Smerling 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 Trustees. The Manager is responsible for investment decisions, and
provides the Fund with portfolio managers who are authorized by the Board
of Trustees to execute purchases and sales of securities. The Fund's
portfolio managers are Joseph P. Darcy, A. Paul Disdier, Karen M. Hand,
Stephen C. Kris, Richard J. Moynihan, 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 Trustees' review at the Board 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: taxes, interest, loan commitment
fees, interest and distribution paid on securities sold short, brokerage
fees and commissions, if any, fees of Trustees who are not officers,
directors, employees or holders of 5% or more of the outstanding voting
securities of the Manager, Securities and Exchange Commission 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
independent pricing services, costs of maintaining the Fund's existence,
costs attributable to investor services (including, without limitation,
telephone and personnel expenses), costs of shareholders' reports and
meetings, costs of preparing and printing prospectuses and statements of
additional information for regulatory purposes and for distribution to
existing shareholders, and any extraordinary expenses.
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.
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. The management fees
paid to the Manager for the fiscal years ended May 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995
amounted to $1,031,668, $1,104,362 and $943,634, respectively.
The Manager has agreed that if in any fiscal year the aggregate
expenses of the Fund, exclusive of taxes, brokerage fees, interest on
borrowings and (with the prior written consent of the necessary state
securities commissions) extraordinary expenses, but including the
management fee, exceed 1-1/3% of the value of the Fund's average net assets
for the 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.
The aggregate of the fees payable to the Manager is not subject to
reduction as the value of the Fund's net assets increases.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN
The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled
"Shareholder Services Plan."
The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan (the "Plan")
pursuant to which the Fund reimburses Dreyfus Service Corporation for
certain allocated expenses of providing personal services and/or
maintaining shareholder accounts. The services provided may include
personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering
shareholder inquiries regarding the Fund and providing reports and other
information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder
accounts.
A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Plan, and the
purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made to the
Trustees for their review. In addition, the Plan provides that material
amendments of the Plan must be approved by the Board of Trustees and by
the Trustees 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 the Plan, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of considering such amendments. The Plan is subject to annual
approval by such vote of the Trustees cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on the Plan. The Plan was so approved on April
26, 1995. The Plan is terminable at any time by vote of a majority of the
Trustees who are not "interested persons" and have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of the Plan.
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1995, the Fund was charged an
aggregate $79,272 pursuant to the Plan.
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 which is renewable annually. The Distributor
also acts as distributor for the other funds in the Dreyfus Family of
Funds and for certain other investment companies. In some states, banks
or other financial institutions effecting transactions in Fund shares may
be required to register as dealers pursuant to state law.
Service Charges. There is no sales or service charge by the Fund or
the Distributor although investment dealers, banks and other institutions
may make reasonable charges to investors for their services. The services
provided and the applicable fees are established by each dealer or other
institution acting independently of the Fund. The Fund has been given to
understand that these fees may be charged for customer services including,
but not limited to: same-day investment of client funds; same-day access
to client funds; advice to customers about the status of their accounts,
yield currently being paid, or income earned to date; providing periodic
account statements showing security and money market positions; other
services available from the dealer, bank or other institution; and
assistance with inquiries related to their investments. Any such fees
will be deducted monthly from the investor's account, which on smaller
accounts could constitute a substantial portion of distributions. Small,
inactive, long-term accounts involving monthly service charges may not be
in the best interest of investors. Investors should be aware that they
may purchase Fund shares directly from the Fund without imposition of any
maintenance or service charges, other than those already described herein.
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 in which the account is closed or during the following
calendar year, provided the information on the old Account Application is
still applicable.
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
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
the 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, 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 "Share Certificates; Signatures."
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. Investors should be aware that if
they have also 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."
Share 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 Trustees 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 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 applicable "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, 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 exchange.
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 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 legally may 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
the 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
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
Trustees. 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 Trustees. Expenses and fees, including the
management fee (reduced by the expense limitation, if any), 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 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.
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."
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (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 shall
be disallowed to the extent of the exempt-interest dividend received. In
addition, 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.
Ordinarily, gains and losses realized from portfolio transactions
will be treated as capital gain or loss. 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.
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 May 31, 1995 was
5.07%. 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
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 1995 Federal and Massachusetts tax rate of
46.85%, the Fund's tax equivalent yield for the 30-day period ended May
31, 1995 was 9.54%. 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 and Commonwealth of Massachusetts marginal personal
income tax rates presently in effect. For Federal personal income tax
purposes, a 39.6% tax rate has been used. For Massachusetts personal
income tax purposes, a 12% tax rate has been used. The tax equivalent
figure, however, does not include the potential effect of any local
(including, but not limited to, county, district or city) taxes, including
applicable surcharges. In addition, there may be pending legislation
which could affect such stated tax rates or yield. 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 and 5 year periods
ended May 31, 1995 and for the period from June 11, 1985 (commencement of
operations) through May 31, 1995, was 7.39%, 7.86% and 7.57%,
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 June 11, 1985 (commencement of
operations) through May 31, 1995 was 107.09%. 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.
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 are not 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, and 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 analyses supporting the 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
nonassessable. Fund shares are of one class and have equal rights as to
dividends and in 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, 90 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
portfolio 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 beneficial interest 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 independent auditors of the
Fund.
APPENDIX A
RISK FACTORS - INVESTING
IN MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS
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
Commonwealth of Massachusetts available as of the date of this Statement
of Additional Information. While the Fund has not independently verified
this information, it has no reason to believe that such information is not
correct in all material aspects.
At the present time, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' economy is
experiencing a modest recovery following a slow down that began in mid-
1988. Massachusetts has nonetheless undergone serious financial
difficulties in recent years that have adversely affected the
Commonwealth's credit standing. While Massachusetts had benefitted from
an annual job growth rate of approximately 2% since the early 1980s, by
1989 employment started to decline. Between 1988 and 1992, total
employment in Massachusetts declined 10.7 percent. In 1993 and 1994,
however, total employment increased by 1.6 percent and 2.2 percent,
respectively. Employment levels increased in all sectors except
manufacturing. Between 1990 and 1992, the Commonwealth's unemployment
rate was considerably higher than the national average, although
unemployment rates in Massachusetts since 1993 have declined faster than
the national average. As a result, the average monthly unemployment rate
in Massachusetts for 1993 was only slightly higher than the national
average (6.9 percent compared to 6.8 percent) and the unemployment rate in
Massachusetts in 1994 was slightly below the national average (6.0 percent
compared to 6.1 percent).
Massachusetts' economic and fiscal difficulties of recent years
appear to have abated. While the Commonwealth's expenditures for State
programs and services in each of the fiscal years 1987 through 1991
exceeded each year's current revenues, Massachusetts ended each of the
fiscal years 1991 to 1994 and expects to end fiscal 1995 with a positive
closing fund balance in its budgeted operating funds.
Massachusetts expenditures for State government programs and services
in each of the fiscal years 1987 through 1991, inclusive, exceeded each
fiscal year's current revenues. In fiscal years 1987 and 1988, largely by
drawing on fund balances from prior years, Massachusetts ended each fiscal
year with budgetary surpluses. However, fiscal years 1989 and 1990 ended
with operating deficits of $672.5 million and $1.25 billion, respectively.
In fiscal 1991, total revenues and other sources of the budgeted
operating funds increased by 13.8% over the prior year, to $13.913
billion. This increase was due chiefly to State tax rate increases
enacted in 1990 and to a substantial federal reimbursement under the
Medicaid program for uncompensated patient care payments, as well as other
factors. The Commonwealth ended fiscal 1991 with an operating loss of
$21.2 million, but with positive closing fund balances of $237.1 million.
Budgeted revenues and other sources for fiscal 1992 were $13.728
billion, including tax revenues of $9.484 billion. Budgeted revenues and
other sources increased by approximately 0.7% from fiscal 1991 to fiscal
1992, while tax revenues increased by 5.4% for the same period.
Commonwealth expenditures and other uses were approximately $13.420
billion for fiscal 1992, which is $238.7 million or 1.7% lower than fiscal
1991 budgeted expenditures and other uses. Final fiscal 1992 budgeted
expenditures were approximately $300 million higher than the initial July
1991 estimates of budgetary expenditures. A large portion of the increase
in spending resulted from increases in certain human services programs,
including an increase of $268.7 million for the Medicaid program and $50.0
million for mental retardation consent decree requirements. Fiscal 1992
expenditures for Medicaid were $2.818 billion, or 1.9% higher than fiscal
1991. This increase compares favorably with the 19.25% average annual
growth rate of Medicaid expenditures for fiscal years 1988 through 1991.
Overall, the budgeted operating funds ended fiscal 1992 with an excess of
revenues and other sources over expenditures and other uses of $312.3
million.
The budgeted operating funds of the Commonwealth ended fiscal 1993
with a surplus of revenues and other sources over expenditures and other
uses of $13.1 million. Budgeted revenues and other sources for fiscal
1993 totaled approximately $14.710 billion, including tax revenues of
$9.40 billion. Total revenues and other sources increased by
approximately 6.9% from fiscal 1992 to fiscal 1993, while tax revenues
increased by 4.7% for the same period.
Budgeted operating funds of the Commonwealth ended fiscal 1994 with a
surplus of revenues and other sources over expenditures and other uses of
$26.8 million and the aggregate ending fund balance in the budgeted
operating funds of the Commonwealth was approximately $589.3 million.
Budgeted revenues and other sources for fiscal 1994 totaled approximately
$15.55 billion, including tax revenues of $10.607 billion. Budgeted
expenditures and other uses in fiscal 1994 totaled $15.52 billion,
approximately 5.6% higher than budgeted expenditures and other uses in
fiscal 1993.
In recent years, health care related costs have risen dramatically in
Massachusetts and across the nation and the increase in the State's
Medicaid and group health insurance costs reflects this trend. In fiscal
1993, Medicaid was the largest item in Massachusetts' budget and has been
one of the fastest growing budget items. During fiscal years 1989, 1990,
1991 and 1992, Medicaid expenditures were $1.83 billion, $2.12 billion,
$2.77 billion and $2.82 billion, respectively, representing an average
annual increase of 15.4%. Expenditures for fiscal 1993 were $3.15
billion, an 11.8% increase over fiscal 1992. Medicaid expenses in fiscal
1994 were $3.31 billion.
Massachusetts' pension costs have risen dramatically as the State has
appropriated funds to address in part the unfunded liabilities that had
accumulated over several decades. Total pension costs increased at an
average annual rate of 7.1% from $659.7 million in fiscal 1989 to $868.2
million in fiscal 1993. Pension costs (inclusive of current benefits and
pension reserves) for fiscal 1994 were $908.9 million, an increase of 4.7%
over fiscal 1993 expenditures.
Payments for debt service on Massachusetts general obligation bonds
and notes have risen at an average annual rate of 11.6% from $649.8
million in fiscal 1989 to $1.15 billion in fiscal 1994. Debt service
payments were $898.3 million in fiscal 1992, $1.14 billion in fiscal 1993
and $1.15 billion in fiscal 1994. In 1990, legislation was enacted which
generally imposes a 10% limit on the total appropriations in any fiscal
year that may be expended for payment of interest and principal on general
obligation debt. As of January 1, 1995, the State had approximately
$9,595 billion of long-term general obligation debt outstanding and short-
term direct obligations of the Commonwealth totalled $264 million.
Certain independent authorities and agencies within the State are
statutorily authorized to issue debt for which Massachusetts is either
directly, in whole or in part, or indirectly liable. The State's
liabilities are either in the form of (i) a direct guaranty, (ii) State
support through contract assistance payments for debt service, or (iii)
indirect obligations. The State is indirectly liable for the debt of
certain authorities through the funding of reserve funds which are pledged
as security for the authorities' debt.
In November 1980, voters in the Commonwealth approved a State-wide
tax limitation initiative petition, commonly known as Proposition 2-1/2,
to constrain levels of property taxation and to limit the charges and fees
imposed on cities and towns by certain government entities, including
county governments. The law is not a constitutional provision and
accordingly is subject to amendment or repeal by the legislature.
Proposition 2-1/2 limits the property taxes which a Massachusetts city or
town may assess in any fiscal year to the lesser of (i) 2.5% of the full
and fair cash value of real estate and personal property therein and (ii)
2.5% over the previous year's levy limit plus any growth in the tax base
from certain new construction and parcel subdivisions. In addition,
Proposition 2-1/2 limits any increase in the charges and fees assessed by
certain governmental entities, including county governments, on cities and
towns to the sum of (i) 2.5% of the total charges and fees imposed in the
preceding fiscal year, and (ii) any increase in charges for services
customarily provided locally or services obtained by the city or town at
its option. The law contains certain override provisions which require
voter approval at a general or special election. Proposition 2-1/2 also
limits any annual increase in the total assessments on cities and towns by
any county, district, authority, the Commonwealth, or any other
governmental entity. During the 1980s, Massachusetts increased payments
to the cities, towns and regional school districts ("Local Aid") to
mitigate the impact of Proposition 2-1/2 on local programs and services.
In fiscal 1994, approximately 17.59% of Massachusetts' budget was
allocated to Local Aid. Direct Local Aid has dropped from a high of
$2.961 billion in fiscal 1989 to $2.727 billion in fiscal 1994.
Many factors affect the financial condition of the Commonwealth and
its cities, towns and public bodies, such as social, environmental, and
economic conditions, many of which are not within the control of such
entities. As is the case with most urban States, the continuation of many
of Massachusetts' programs, particularly its human services programs, is
in significant part dependent upon continuing Federal reimbursements which
have been steadily declining. The loss of grants to Massachusetts and its
cities and towns could further slow economic development. To the extent
that such factors may exist, they could have an adverse effect on economic
conditions in Massachusetts, although what effect, if any, such factors
would have on Massachusetts' Municipal Obligations cannot be predicted.
APPENDIX B
Description of certain S&P, Moody's and 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
Debt rated BB, B, CCC or CC is regarded as having predominantly
speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and
repay principal. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and CC 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 typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt
which is assigned an actual or implied CCC- debt rating.
D
Bonds rated D are idefault, and payment of interest and/or
repayment of principal is in arrears.
S&P's letter ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus or
minus sign designation, which is used to show relative standing within the
major rating categories, except in the AAA (Prime Grade) category.
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 (+) sign
designation.
SP-2
The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit satisfactory capacity to
pay principal and interest.
Commercial Paper Ratings
The rating A is the highest rating and is assigned by S&P to issues
that are regarded as having the greatest capacity for timely payment.
Issues in this category are delineated with the numbers 1, 2 and 3 to
indicate the relative degree of safety. Paper rated A-1 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.
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
sometime 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 represent 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 ratings 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 and municipal notes and other short-term
loans are designated Moody's Investment Grade (MIG). Such ratings
recognize the difference 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 description 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 range of financial markets and
assured sources of alternate 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 an 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 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 payment, but the margin of safety is not as
great as the F-1+ and F-1 categories.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS MAY 31, 1995
PRINCIPAL
LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS-99.4% AMOUNT VALUE
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
MASSACHUSETTS-95.0%
Boston:
6.75%, 7/1/2011 (Insured; MBIA, Prerefunded 7/1/2001) (a)............... $ 2,500,000 $ 2,815,925
6.50%, 7/1/2012 (Insured; AMBAC)........................................ 3,000,000 3,255,270
Revenue, Refunding (Boston City Hospital):
5.75%, 2/15/2013 (Insured; FHA)....................................... 2,000,000 1,954,220
5.75%, 2/15/2023 (Insured; FHA)....................................... 5,750,000 5,526,383
5.75%, 2/15/2023 (Insured; MBIA)...................................... 3,950,000 3,911,764
Boston-Mount Pleasant Housing Development Corp., MFHR, Refunding
6.75%, 8/1/2023 (Insured; FHA).......................................... 1,700,000 1,768,051
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority:
6.40%, 3/1/2015
(Guaranteed; Massachusetts Commonwealth, Prerefunded 3/1/1997) (a).... 3,000,000 3,164,730
General Transportation System 5.875%, 3/1/2019.......................... 3,000,000 2,997,750
Refunding 6.20%, 3/1/2016............................................... 4,225,000 4,506,385
Massachusetts Commonwealth:
Consolidated Loan:
6%, 6/1/2011.......................................................... 3,500,000 3,536,785
6%, 7/1/2012.......................................................... 2,000,000 2,024,220
Refunding:
5.25%, 2/1/2008....................................................... 1,500,000 1,482,810
6%, Series A, 8/1/2012................................................ 2,000,000 2,024,420
6%, Series B, 8/1/2012 (Insured; FGIC)................................ 1,755,000 1,785,519
Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (Boston Common Parking Garage)
5.375%, 9/1/2013........................................................ 2,250,000 2,160,090
Massachusetts Education Loan Authority, Education Loan Revenue
8%, 6/1/2002 (LOC; Rabobank Nederland) (b).............................. 760,000 802,492
Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue:
(Amherst College) 6.375%, 11/1/2019..................................... 1,000,000 1,034,390
(Berklee College of Music) 6.875%, 10/1/2021 (Insured; MBIA)............ 4,380,000 4,757,644
(Boston University) 6%, 10/1/2022 (Insured; MBIA)....................... 1,175,000 1,189,452
(Jordan Hospital) 7.85%, 8/15/2028 (Insured; FHA, Prerefunded 8/15/1998) (a). 3,295,000 3,630,991
(Lahey Clinic Medical Center):
5.625%, 7/1/2015 (Insured; MBIA)...................................... 3,085,000 3,039,219
5.375%, 7/1/2023 (Insured; MBIA)...................................... 1,000,000 949,330
(Massachusetts General Hospital):
6.25%, 7/1/2020 (Insured; AMBAC)...................................... 3,500,000 3,624,145
Refunding:
6%, 7/1/2015 (Insured; AMBAC)..................................... 2,000,000 2,040,800
5.25%, 7/1/2023 (Insured; AMBAC).................................. 2,000,000 1,866,640
(Mclean Hospital) 6.50%, 7/1/2010 (Insured; FGIC)....................... 1,000,000 1,076,460
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS MAY 31, 1995
PRINCIPAL
LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) AMOUNT VALUE
-------------- --------------
MASSACHUSETTS (CONTINUED)
Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue
(continued):
(Medical Academic & Scientific) 6.625%, 1/1/2015........................ $ 3,000,000 $ 3,056,850
(Mount Auburn Hospital) 6.30%, 8/15/2024 (Insured; MBIA)................ 5,000,000 5,186,650
(New England Medical Center Hospitals) 6.50%, 7/1/2012 (Insured; FGIC).. 1,000,000 1,071,420
(Refunding - Baystate Medical Center) 6%, 7/1/2015 (Insured; FGIC)...... 1,140,000 1,159,756
(Refunding - Milton Hospital) 7%, 7/1/2016 (Insured; MBIA).............. 1,000,000 1,098,140
(Youville Hospital):
8.875%, 8/1/2004 (Insured; FHA, Prerefunded 2/1/1996) (a)............. 1,295,000 1,363,441
9.10%, 8/1/2015 (Insured; FHA, Prerefunded 2/1/1996) (a).............. 2,030,000 2,137,610
Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, Revenue:
Housing Projects, Refunding:
6.30%, 10/1/2013 (Insured; AMBAC)..................................... 1,000,000 1,037,730
6.375%, 4/1/2021...................................................... 4,385,000 4,443,584
Multi-Family Residential Housing 9.60%, 8/1/2022........................ 1,795,000 1,834,598
Rental, Refunding:
6.65%, 7/1/2019 (Insured; AMBAC)...................................... 2,475,000 2,578,257
6.75%, 7/1/2028 (Insured; AMBAC)...................................... 2,870,000 2,994,960
Single-Family Housing:
6.60%, Series 32, 12/1/2026........................................... 2,000,000 2,033,840
6.60%, Series 36, 12/1/2026........................................... 1,000,000 1,021,000
Massachusetts Industrial Finance Agency, Revenue:
Electrical Utility (Nantucket Electric Co.) 8.50%, 3/1/2016............. 3,000,000 3,244,800
(Refunding-Harvard Community Health) 8.125%, 10/1/2017.................. 4,000,000 4,429,920
(Refunding-Holy Cross College):
6%, 11/1/2002......................................................... 400,000 425,788
6.375%, 11/1/2015..................................................... 2,000,000 2,092,740
Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co., Power Supply System Revenue,
Refunding:
6.40%, 7/1/2002....................................................... 400,000 429,092
6.625%, 7/1/2018...................................................... 3,500,000 3,653,720
6.125%, 7/1/2019...................................................... 2,500,000 2,502,400
6.125%, 7/1/2019 (Insured; MBIA)...................................... 2,975,000 3,042,324
Massachusetts Port Authority, Revenue:
6%, 7/1/2013............................................................ 2,050,000 2,063,735
9.375%, 7/1/2015 (Prerefunded 7/1/1995) (a)............................. 325,000 333,027
9.375%, 7/1/2015 (Prerefunded 7/1/1995) (a)............................. 675,000 691,497
6%, 7/1/2023............................................................ 3,000,000 2,991,720
Special Project (Harborside Hyatt) 10%, 3/1/2026........................ 8,000,000 8,865,280
New Bedford 5.75%, 3/1/2006................................................. 1,565,000 1,568,302
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS MAY 31, 1995
PRINCIPAL
LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED) AMOUNT VALUE
-------------- --------------
MASSACHUSETTS (CONTINUED)
New England Education Loan Marketing Corp., Student Loan Revenue
6.90%, 11/1/2009........................................................ $ 3,000,000 $ 3,209,880
Quincy, Revenue, Refunding (Quincy City Hospital):
5%, 1/15/2005 (Insured; FSA)............................................ 2,000,000 1,983,320
5.25%, 1/15/2016 (Insured; FSA)......................................... 2,000,000 1,893,820
Southbridge 6.375%, 1/1/2012 (Insured; AMBAC)............................... 1,000,000 1,052,880
Worcester, IDR (National Envelope Corp. Project)
8%, 12/1/2004 (LOC; Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co.) (b)................ 4,000,000 4,250,440
U.S. RELATED-4.4%
Guam Airport Authority, Revenue 6.70%, 10/1/2023............................ 3,000,000 3,087,480
Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, Electric System Revenue 7.40%, 7/1/2011 3,450,000 3,691,776
--------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS (cost $145,287,768)................... $153,447,662
==============
SHORT-TERM MUNICIPAL INVESTMENTS-.6%
MASSACHUSETTS;
Massachusetts Health and Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue, VRDN
(Capital Asset Program) 3.80% (Insured; MBIA) (c)
(cost $1,000,000)....................................................... $ 1,000,000 $ 1,000,000
==============
TOTAL INVESTMENTS-100.0%
(cost $146,287,768)..................................................... $154,447,662
==============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
SUMMARY OF ABBREVIATIONS
<S> <C> <S> <C>
AMBAC American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation LOC Letter of Credit
FGIC Financial Guaranty Insurance Company MBIA Municipal Bond Investors
FHA Federal Housing Administration Assurance Insurance Corporation
FSA Financial Security Assurance MFHR Multi-Family Housing Revenue
IDR Industrial Development Revenue VRDN Variable Rate Demand Notes
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY OF COMBINED RATINGS (UNAUDITED)
FITCH (D) OR MOODY'S OR STANDARD & POOR'S PERCENTAGE OF VALUE
-------- -------- ------------------ --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
AAA Aaa AAA 39.7%
AA Aa AA 13.1
A A A 31.1
BBB Baa BBB 5.4
F1+ & F1 MIG1, VMG1 & P1 SP1 & A1 .6
Not Rated (e) Not Rated (e) Not Rated (e) 10.1
-------
100.0%
=======
</TABLE>
NOTES TO STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS:
(a) 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.
(b) Secured by letters of credit.
(c) Securities payable on demand. The interest rate, which is subject to
change, is based upon bank prime rates or an index of market interest
rates.
(d) Fitch currently provides creditworthiness information for a limited
number of investments.
(e) Securites which, while not rated by Fitch, Moody's or Standard &
Poor's, have been determined by the Manager to be of comparable quality
to those rated securities in which the Fund may invest.
(f) At May 31, 1995, the Fund had $48,944,028 (30.4% of net assets)
invested in securities whose payment of principal and interest is
dependent upon revenues generated from health care projects.
See notes to financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MAY 31, 1995
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in securities, at value
(cost $146,287,768)-see statement..................................... $154,447,662
Cash.................................................................... 614,584
Receivable for investment securities sold............................... 5,663,150
Interest receivable..................................................... 3,292,587
Prepaid expenses........................................................ 8,001
-------------
164,025,984
LIABILITIES:
Due to The Dreyfus Corporation.......................................... $ 88,003
Payable for investment securities purchased............................. 3,076,480
Accrued expenses........................................................ 111,832 3,276,315
--------------- -------------
NET ASSETS ................................................................ $160,749,669
=============
REPRESENTED BY:
Paid-in capital......................................................... $157,162,614
Accumulated net realized capital losses and distributions in excess of
net realized gain on investments...................................... (4,572,839)
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments-Note 3........... 8,159,894
-------------
NET ASSETS at value applicable to 9,893,424 shares outstanding
(unlimited number of $.01 par value shares of Beneficial Interest authorized)
$160,749,669
=============
NET ASSET VALUE, offering and redemption price per share
($160,749,669 / 9,893,424 shares)....................................... $16.25
=======
See notes to financial statements.
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 1995
INVESTMENT INCOME:
INTEREST INCOME......................................................... $ 10,334,220
EXPENSES:
Management fee-Note 2(a).............................................. $ 943,634
Shareholder servicing costs-Note 2(b)................................. 205,473
Professional fees..................................................... 35,649
Custodian fees........................................................ 16,934
Trustees' fees and expenses-Note 2(c)................................. 16,224
Prospectus and shareholders' reports.................................. 14,252
Registration fees..................................................... 13,606
Miscellaneous......................................................... 8,798
-----------
TOTAL EXPENSES.................................................. 1,254,570
--------------
INVESTMENT INCOME-NET........................................... 9,079,650
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS:
Net realized (loss) on investments-Note 3............................... $(1,987,488)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments.............................. 4,202,720
------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS................. 2,215,232
--------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS........................ $ 11,294,882
==============
See notes to financial statements.
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
YEAR ENDED MAY 31,
--------------------------------
1994 1995
-------------- --------------
OPERATIONS:
Investment income-net................................................... $ 9,841,803 $ 9,079,650
Net realized (loss) on investments...................................... (1,956,469) (1,987,488)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments for the year.. (3,680,332) 4,202,720
-------------- --------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS.................. 4,205,002 11,294,882
-------------- --------------
DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS:
From investment income-net.............................................. (9,922,292) (9,079,650)
From net realized gain on investments................................... (2,229,211) (1,973)
In excess of net realized gain on investments........................... (2,583,378) ---
-------------- --------------
TOTAL DIVIDENDS....................................................... (14,734,881) (9,081,623)
-------------- --------------
BENEFICIAL INTEREST TRANSACTIONS:
Net proceeds from shares sold........................................... 47,458,511 57,695,559
Dividends reinvested.................................................... 11,443,149 6,757,358
Cost of shares redeemed................................................. (63,499,837) (74,389,458)
-------------- --------------
(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST TRANSACTIONS........ (4,598,177) (9,936,541)
-------------- --------------
TOTAL (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS.................................... (15,128,056) (7,723,282)
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of year....................................................... 183,601,007 168,472,951
-------------- --------------
End of year............................................................. $168,472,951 $160,749,669
============== ==============
SHARES SHARES
-------------- --------------
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
Shares sold............................................................. 2,815,211 3,687,475
Shares issued for dividends reinvested.................................. 673,634 430,673
Shares redeemed......................................................... (3,772,878) (4,733,211)
============== ==============
NET (DECREASE) IN SHARES OUTSTANDING.................................. (284,033) (615,063)
============== ==============
See notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
Condensed Financial Information:
Reference is made to Page 4 of the Prospectus dated Septmber 1, 1995.
See notes to financial statements.
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
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 exclusive distributor of the
Fund's shares, which are sold to the public without a sales charge. 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 FDI Distribution Services, Inc., a provider of mutual fund
administration services, which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FDI
Holdings, Inc., 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
Trustees. Investments for which quoted bid prices are readily available and
are representative of the bid side of the market in the judgment 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.
(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 principal 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, if any, 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, 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.
The Fund has an unused capital loss carryover of $3,440,000 available for
Federal income tax purposes to be applied against future net securities
profit, if any, realized subsequent to May 31, 1995. The carryover does not
include net realized securities losses from November 1, 1994 through May 31,
1995 which are treated, for Federal income tax purposes, as arising in fiscal
1996. If not applied, the carryover expires in fiscal 2003.
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 and is payable monthly. The Agreement
provides for an expense reimbursement from the Manager should the Fund's
aggregate expenses, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings and
extraordinary expenses, exceed the expense limitation of any state having
jurisdiction over the Fund for any full fiscal year. The most stringent state
expense limitation applicable to the Fund presently requires reimbursement of
expenses in any full fiscal year that such expenses (exclusive of certain
expenses as described above) exceed 21\2% of the first $30 million, 2% of the
next $70 million and 11\2% of the excess over $100 million of the average
value of the Fund's net assets in accordance with California "blue sky"
regulations. There was no expense reimbursement for the year ended May 31,
1995.
(B) Pursuant to the Fund's Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund reimburses
Dreyfus Service Corporation an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25 of
1% of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets for servicing
shareholder accounts. The services provided may include personal services
relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries
regarding the Fund and providing reports and other information, and services
related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. During the year ended May
31, 1995, the Fund was charged an aggregate of $79,272 pursuant to the
Shareholder Services Plan.
(C) Prior to August 24, 1994, certain officers and trustees of the Fund
were "affiliated persons," as defined in the Act, of the Manager and/or
Dreyfus Service Corporation. Each trustee who is not an "affiliated person"
receives an annual fee of $1,500 and an attendance fee of $250 per meeting.
The Chairman of the Board receives an additional 25% of such compensation.
NOTE 3-SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS:
The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities
amounted to $134,160,020 and $146,186,793, respectively, for the year ended
May 31, 1995, and consisted entirely of long-term and short-term municipal
investments.
At May 31, 1995, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments
was $8,159,894, consisting of $8,397,152 gross unrealized appreciation and
$237,258 gross unrealized depreciation.
At May 31, 1995, 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).
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of
Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund, as of May 31, 1995, including the
statement of investments, 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 May 31, 1995 by correspondence with the custodian and
brokers. 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 Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund at May 31, 1995, 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 & Young LLP Signature Logo
New York, New York
June 28, 1995
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
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 June 11,
1985 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 1986 and for
each of the nine years in the period ended May 31, 1995.
Included in Part B of the Registration Statement:
Statement of Investments-- May 31, 1995
Statement of Assets and Liabilities-- May 31, 1995
Statement of Operations--year ended May 31, 1995
Statement of Changes in Net Assets--for each of the
years ended May 31, 1994 and 1995
Notes to Financial Statements
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors, dated
June 28, 1995
All Schedules 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 Agreement and Declaration of Trust.
(2) Registrant's By-Laws.
(4) Specimen certificate for the Registrant's securities is
incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4) of Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed
on May 22, 1985.
(5) Management Agreement.
(6) Distribution Agreement.
(8)(a) Amended and Restated Custody Agreement.
(8)(b) Sub-Custodian Agreements are incorporated by reference to Exhibit
(8)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 28, 1990.
(9) Shareholder Services Plan.
(10) Opinion and consent of Registrant's counsel is incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (10) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on May 22, 1985.
(11) Consent of Independent Auditors.
(16) Schedules of Computation of Performance Data are incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (16) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on August 22, 1994.
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits. - List (continued)
_______ _____________________________________________________
Other Exhibits
______________
(a) Powers of Attorney of Joseph S. DiMartino, David W.
Burke, Samuel chase, Gordon J. Davis, Joni Evans, Arnold
S. Hiatt, David J. Maloney and Burton N. Wallack,
Directors; also for Marie E. Connolly, President and
Treasurer of the Fund.
(b) Certificate of Assistant 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 July 31, 1995
______________ _____________________________
Beneficial Interest
(Par value $.01) 4,525
Item 27. Indemnification
_______ _______________
Reference is made to Article VIII of the Registrant's Declaration
of Trust incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1) to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 28, 1995. The
application of these provisions is limited by the following
undertaking set forth in the rules promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in
the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in such Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer
or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense
of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee,
officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
such Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
Reference is also made to the Distribution Agreement attached as
Exhibit (6) this Registration Statement on Form N-1A.
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, manager and distributor 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.**
LAWRENCE M. GREENE Director:
Director Dreyfus America Fund
JULIAN M. SMERLING None
Director
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;
DAVID B. TRUMAN Former Director:
(cont'd) 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 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 Service Organization, Inc.*;
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.*;
Trustee:
Corporate Property Investors
New York, New York
W. KEITH SMITH Chairman and Chief Executive Officer:
Vice Chairman of the Board 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
ROBERT E. RILEY Director:
President, Chief Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
Operating Officer, Former Executive Vice President:
and a Director Prudential Investment Corporation
751 Board Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
STEPHEN E. CANTER Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer:
Vice Chairman and Kleinwort Benson Investment Management
Chief Investment Officer, Americas Inc.*
and a Director
LAWRENCE S. KASH Chairman, President and Chief
Vice Chairman-Distribution Executive Officer:
and a Director The Boston Company Advisors, Inc.
53 State Street
Exchange Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Executive Vice President and Director:
Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.*;
Director:
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
The Dreyfus Trust Company++'
Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
President:
The Boston Company
One Boston Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02108;
Laurel Capital Advisors
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258;
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.
Executive Vice President
Mellon Bank, N.A.
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258;
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust
One Boston Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
PHILIP L. TOIA Chairman of the Board and Trust Investment
Vice Chairman-Operations Officer:
and Administration The Dreyfus Trust Company+++;
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer:
Major Trading Corporation*;
Director:
The Dreyfus Security Savings Bank F.S.B.+;
Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.*;
President and Director:
Dreyfus Acquisition Corporation*;
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
Dreyfus-Lincoln, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Management, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Personal Management, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Partnership Management, Inc.+;
Dreyfus Service Organization*;
The Truepenny Corporation*;
PHILIP L. TOIA Formerly, Senior Vice President:
(cont'd) The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. and
The Chase Manhattan Capital Markets
Corporation
One Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, New York 10081
BARBARA E. CASEY President:
Vice President- Dreyfus Retirement Services Division;
Dreyfus Retirement Executive Vice President:
Services Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co.
One Boston Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
DIANE M. COFFEY None
Vice President-
Corporate Communications
ELIE M. GENADRY President:
Vice President- Institutional Services Division of Dreyfus
Institutional Sales 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++
HENRY D. GOTTMANN Executive Vice President:
Vice President-Retail Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
Sales and Service Vice President:
Dreyfus Precious Metals*
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*;
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-Mutual Fund
Accounting
WILLIAM F. GLAVIN, JR. Senior Vice President:
Vice President-Corporate The Boston Company Advisors, Inc.
Development 53 State Street
Exchange Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
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
MARK N. JACOBS Vice President, Secretary and Director:
Vice President-Fund Lion Management, Inc.*;
Legal and Compliance, Secretary:
and Secretary The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
Dreyfus Management, Inc.*;
Assistant Secretary:
Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.*;
Major Trading Corporation*;
The Truepenny Corporation*
ANDREW S. WASSER Vice President:
Vice President-Information Mellon Bank Corporation
Services One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258
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 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
ELVIRA OSLAPAS Assistant Secretary:
Assistant Secretary Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
Dreyfus Management, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Acquisition Corporation, Inc.*;
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 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, Inc.
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 GNMA Fund, Inc.
26) Dreyfus Government Cash Management
27) Dreyfus Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
28) Dreyfus Growth Opportunity Fund, Inc.
29) Dreyfus Institutional Money Market Fund
30) Dreyfus Institutional Short Term Treasury Fund
31) Dreyfus Insured Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
32) Dreyfus Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
33) Dreyfus International Equity Fund, Inc.
34) Dreyfus International Recovery Fund, Inc.
35) Dreyfus Investors GNMA Fund
36) The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc.
37) The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust
38) The Dreyfus/Laurel Tax-Free Municipal Funds
39) The Dreyfus/Laurel Investment Series
40) The Dreyfus Leverage Fund, Inc.
41) Dreyfus Life and Annuity Index Fund, Inc.
42) Dreyfus LifeTime Portfolios, Inc.
43) Dreyfus Liquid Assets, Inc.
44) Dreyfus Massachusetts Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
45) Dreyfus Massachusetts Municipal Money Market Fund
46) Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund
47) Dreyfus Michigan Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
48) Dreyfus Money Market Instruments, Inc.
49) Dreyfus Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
50) Dreyfus Municipal Cash Management Plus
51) Dreyfus Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
52) Dreyfus New Jersey Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
53) Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
54) Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
55) Dreyfus New Leaders Fund, Inc.
56) Dreyfus New York Insured Tax Exempt Bond Fund
57) Dreyfus New York Municipal Cash Management
58) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
59) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Intermediate Bond Fund
60) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
61) Dreyfus Ohio Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
62) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Intermediate Term Fund
63) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund
64) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
65) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Short Term Fund
66) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
67) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund
68) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Government Fund
69) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
70) Dreyfus Short-Term Income Fund, Inc.
71) The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.
72) Dreyfus Strategic Growth, L.P.
73) Dreyfus Strategic Income
74) Dreyfus Strategic Investing
75) Dreyfus Tax Exempt Cash Management
76) The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.
77) Dreyfus Treasury Cash Management
78) Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management
79) Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund
80) Dreyfus-Wilshire Target Funds, Inc.
81) Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc.
82) General California Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
83) General California Municipal Money Market Fund
84) General Government Securities Money Market Fund, Inc.
85) General Money Market Fund, Inc.
86) General Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
87) General Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
88) General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
89) General New York Municipal Money Market Fund
90) Pacifica Funds Trust -
Pacific American Money Market Portfolio
Pacific American U.S. Treasury Portfolio
91) Peoples Index Fund, Inc.
92) Peoples S&P MidCap Index Fund, Inc.
93) Premier Insured Municipal Bond Fund
94) Premier California Municipal Bond Fund
95) Premier Global Investing, Inc.
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, Chief President and
Operating Officer and Compliance Treasurer
Officer
Joseph F. Tower, III+ Senior Vice President, Treasurer Assistant
and Chief Financial Officer Treasurer
John E. Pelletier+ Senior Vice President, General Vice President
Counsel, Secretary and Clerk 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
Lynn H. Johnson+ Vice President None
Ruth D. Leibert++ Assistant Vice President Assistant
Secretary
Paul Prescott+ Assistant Vice President None
Leslie M. Gaynor+ Assistant Treasurer None
Mary Nelson+ Assistant Treasurer None
John J. Pyburn++ Assistant Treasurer Assistant
Treasurer
Jean M. O'Leary+ Assistant Secretary and None
Assistant Clerk
John W. Gomez+ Director None
William J. Nutt+ Director None
________________________________
+ Principal business address is One Exchange Place, Boston, Massachusetts
02109.
++ Principal business address is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
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
90 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 certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to the Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and 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 11th day of August, 1995.
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
BY: /s/Marie E. Connolly*
MARIE E. CONNOLLY, PRESIDENT
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures Title Date
__________________________ _______________________________ ________
/s/Marie E. Connolly* President and Treasurer 8/15/95
Marie E Connolly
/s/David W. Burke Trustee 8/15/95
David W. Burke
/s/Samuel Chase* Trustee 8/15/95
Samuel Chase
/s/Gordon J. Davis* Trustee 8/15/95
Gordon J. Davis
/s/Joseph S. DiMartino* Trustee 8/15/95
Joseph S. DiMartino
/s/Joni Evans* Trustee 8/15/95
Joni Evans
/s/Arnold S. Hiatt* Trustee 8/15/95
Arnold S. Hiatt
/s/ Burton N. Wallack Trustee 8/15/95
Burton N. Wallack
/s/David J. Mahoney* Trustee 8/15/95
David J. Mahoney
/s/Burton Wallack* Trustee 8/15/95
Burton Wallack
*BY: /s/Eric B. Fischman
Eric B. Fischman,
Attorney-in-Fact
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
24(b)(1) Declaration of Trust
24(b)(2) Registrant's By-Laws
24(b)(5) Management Agreement
24(b)(6) Distribution Agreement
24(b)(8)(a) Amended and Restated Custody
Agreement
24(b)(9) Shareholder Services Plan
24(b)(11) Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
Other Powers of Attorney
Certificate of Assistant Secretary
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
Declaration of Trust
Dated: March 13, 1985
THIS AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST made at
Boston, Massachusetts, this 13th day of March, 1985, by Richard
J. Moynihan (hereinafter with any additional and successor
trustees referred to as the "Trustees") and the holders of
shares of beneficial interest to be issued hereunder as
hereinafter provided.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Trustees have agreed to manage all
property coming into their hands as trustees of a Massachusetts
business trust in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set
forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby declare that they
will hold all cash, securities and other assets, which they may
from time to time acquire in any manner as Trustees hereunder IN
TRUST to manage and dispose of the same upon the following terms
and conditions for the pro rata benefit of the holders from time
to time of Shares, whether or not certificated, in this Trust as
hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE I
Name and Definitions
Section 1. Name. This Trust shall be known as
"Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund."
Section 2. Definitions. Whenever used herein, unless
otherwise required by the context or specifically provided:
(a) The term "Commission" shall have the meaning
provided in the 1940 Act;
(b) The "Trust" refers to the Massachusetts business
trust established by this Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as
amended from time to time;
(c) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Shares of
the Trust;
(d) "Shares" means the equal proportionate
transferable units of interest into which the beneficial
interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time or, if
more than one series of Shares is authorized by the Trustees,
the equal proportionate transferable units into which each
series of Shares shall be divided from time to time, and
includes a fraction of a Share as well as a whole Share;
(e) The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company
Act of 1940, and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as
amended from time to time;
(f) The term "Manager" is defined in Article IV,
Section 5; and
(g) The term "Person" shall mean an individual or any
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise.
ARTICLE II
Purposes of Trust
This Trust is formed for the following purpose or
purposes:
(a) to conduct, operate and carry on the business of
an investment company;
(b) to subscribe for, invest in, reinvest in,
purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, pledge, sell, assign,
transfer, lend, write options on, exchange, distribute or
otherwise dispose of and deal in and with securities of every
nature, kind, character, type and form, including without
limitation of the generality of the foregoing, all types of
stocks, shares, futures contracts, bonds, debentures, notes,
bills and other negotiable or non-negotiable instruments,
obligations, evidences of interest, certificates of interest,
certificates of participation, certificates, interests,
evidences of ownership, guarantees, warrants, options or
evidences of indebtedness issued or created by or guaranteed as
to principal and interest by any state or local government or
any agency or instrumentality thereof, by the United States
Government or any agency, instrumentality, territory, district
or possession thereof, by any foreign government or any agency,
instrumentality, territory, district or possession thereof, by
any corporation organized under the laws of any state, the
United States or any territory or possession thereof or under
the laws of any foreign country, bank certificates of deposit,
bank time deposits, bankers' acceptances and commercial paper;
to pay for the same in cash or by the issue of stock, including
treasury stock, bonds or notes of the Trust or otherwise; and to
exercise any and all rights, powers and privileges of ownership
or interest in respect of any and all such investments of every
kind and description, including without limitation, the right to
consent and otherwise act with respect thereto, with power to
designate one or more persons, firms, associations or
corporations to exercise any of said rights, powers and
privileges in respect of any said instruments;
(c) to borrow money or otherwise obtain credit and to
secure the same by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting
as security the assets of the Trust;
(d) to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire,
cancel, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, transfer,
and otherwise deal in, Shares including Share in fractional
denominations, and to apply to any such repurchase, redemption,
retirement, cancellation or acquisition of Shares any funds or
other assets of the appropriate series of Shares, whether
capital or surplus or otherwise, to the full extent now or
hereafter permitted by the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts;
(e) to conduct its business, promote its purposes,
and carry on its operations in any and all of its branches and
maintain offices both within and without The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, in any and all States of the United States of
America, in the District of Columbia, and in any other parts of
the world; and
(f) to do all and everything necessary, suitable,
convenient, or proper for the conduct, promotion, and attainment
of any of the businesses and purposes herein specified or which
at any time may be incidental thereto or may appear conducive to
or expedient for the accomplishment of any of such businesses
and purposes and which might be engaged in or carried on by a
Trust organized under the Massachusetts General Laws, and to
have and exercise all of the powers conferred by the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts upon a Massachusetts business
trust.
The foregoing provisions of this Article II shall be
construed both as purposes and powers and each as an independent
purpose and power.
ARTICLE III
Beneficial Interest
Section 1. Shares of Beneficial Interest. The Shares
of the Trust shall be issued in one or more series as the
Trustees may, without Shareholder approval, authorize. Each
series shall be preferred over all other series in respect of
the assets allocated to that series. The beneficial interest in
each series at all times shall be divided into Shares, with or
without par value as the Trustees may from time to time
determine, each of which shall represent an equal proportionate
interest in the series with each other Share of the same series,
none having priority or preference over another. The number of
Shares authorized shall be unlimited, and the Shares so
authorized may be represented in part by fractional shares.
From time to time, the Trustees may divide or combine the Shares
of any series into a greater or lesser number without thereby
changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the series.
Section 2. Ownership of Shares. The ownership of
Shares will be recorded in the books of the Trust or a transfer
agent. The record books of the Trust or any transfer agent, as
the case may be, shall be conclusive as to who are the holders
of Shares of each series and as to the number of Shares of each
series held from time to time by each. No certificates
certifying the ownership of Shares need be issued except as the
Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time.
Section 3. Issuance of Shares. The Trustees are
authorized, from time to time, to issue or authorize the
issuance of Shares at not less than the par value thereof, if
any, and to fix the price or the minimum price or the
consideration (in cash and/or such other property, real or
personal, tangible or intangible, as from time to time they may
determine) or minimum consideration for such Shares. Anything
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustees may issue
Shares pro rata to the Shareholders at any time as a stock
dividend.
All consideration received by the Trust for the issue
or sale of Shares of each series, together with all income,
earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds
derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation thereof, and any
funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds
in whatever form the same may be, shall belong irrevocably to
the series of Shares with respect to which the same were
received by the Trust for all purposes, subject only to the
rights of creditors, and shall be so handled upon the books of
account of the Trust and are herein referred to as "assets of"
such series.
Shares may be issued in fractional denominations to
the same extent as whole Shares, and Shares in fractional
denominations shall be Shares having proportionately to the
respective fractions represented thereby all the rights of whole
Shares, including, without limitation, the right to vote, the
right to receive dividends and distributions, and the right to
participate upon liquidation of the Trust or of a particular
series of Shares.
Section 4. No Preemptive Rights. Shareholders shall
have no preemptive or other right to subscribe for any
additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust.
Section 5. Status of Shares and Limitation of
Personal Liability. Shares shall be deemed to be personal
property giving only the rights provided in this instrument.
Every Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall
be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms
hereof and to have become a party hereto. The death of a
Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall not
operate to terminate the same nor entitle the representative of
any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action
in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but
only to the rights of said decedent under this Trust. Ownership
of Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or
to the whole or any part of the Trust property or right to call
for a partition or division of the same or for an accounting,
nor shall the ownership of Shares constitute the Shareholders
partners. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer,
employee or agent of the Trust shall have nay power to bind any
Shareholder or Trustee personally or to call upon any
Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment
whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder at any time
personally may agree to pay by way of subscription for any
Shares or otherwise. Every note, bond, contract or other
undertaking issued by or on behalf of the Trust shall include a
recitation limiting the obligation represented thereby to the
Trust and its assets (but the omission of such a recitation
shall not operate to bind any Shareholder or Trustee
personally).
ARTICLE IV
Trustees
Section 1. Election. A Trustee may be elected either
by the Trustees or the Shareholders. The Trustees named herein
shall serve until the first meeting of the Shareholders or until
the election and qualification of their successors. Prior to
the first meeting of Shareholders the initial Trustees hereunder
may elect additional Trustees to serve until such meeting and
until their successors are elected and qualified. The Trustees
also at any time may elect Trustees to fill vacancies in the
number of Trustees. The number of Trustees shall be fixed from
time to time by the Trustees and, at or after the commencement
of the business of the Trust, shall be not less than three.
Each Trustee, whether named above or hereafter becoming a
Trustee, shall serve as a Trustee during the lifetime of this
Trust, until such Trustee dies, resigns, retires, or is removed,
or, if sooner, until the next meeting of Shareholders called for
the purpose of electing Trustees and the election and
qualification of his successor. Subject to Section 16(a) of the
1940 Act, the Trustees may elect their own successors and,
pursuant to this section, may appoint Trustees to fill
vacancies.
Section 2. Powers. The Trustees shall have all
powers necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of the
Trust, including, without limitation, the powers referred to in
Article II hereof. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Trustees may adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with
this Declaration of Trust providing for the conduct of the
business of the Trust and may amend and repeal them to the
extent that they do not reserve that right to the Shareholders;
they may fill vacancies in their number, including vacancies
resulting from increases in their own number, and may elect and
remove such officers and employ, appoint and terminate such
employees or agents as they consider appropriate; they may
appoint from their own number and terminate any one or more
committees; they may employ one or more custodians of the assets
of the Trust and may authorize such custodians to employ
subcustodians and to deposit all or any part of such assets in a
system or systems for the central handling of securities, retain
a transfer agent and a Shareholder servicing agent, or both,
provide for the distribution of Shares through a principal
underwriter or otherwise, set record dates, and in general
delegate such authority as they consider desirable (including
without limitation the authority to purchase and sell securities
and to invest funds, to determine the net income of the Trust
for any period, the value of the total assets of the Trust and
the net asset value of each Share, and to execute such deeds,
agreement or other instruments either in the name of the Trust
or the names of the Trustees or as their attorney or attorneys
or otherwise as the Trustees from time to time may deem
expedient) to any officer of the Trust, committee of the
Trustees, any such employee, agent, custodian or underwriter or
to any Manager.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Trustees shall have full power and authority:
(a) To invest and reinvest cash and to hold cash
uninvested;
(b) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of
ownership, with respect to stock or other securities or
property; and to execute and deliver proxies or powers of
attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem
proper, granting to such person or persons such power and
discretion with relation to securities or property as the
Trustees shall deem proper;
(c) To hold any security or property in a form not
indicating any trust whether in bearer, unregistered or other
negotiable form or in the name of the Trust or a custodian,
subcustodian or other depository or a nominee or nominees or
otherwise;
(d) To consent to or participate in any plan for the
reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or
concern, any security of which is held in the Trust; to consent
to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase or sale of property
by such corporation or concern, and to pay calls or
subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(e) To join with other security holders in acting
through a committee, depositary, voting trustee or otherwise,
and in that connection to deposit any security with, or transfer
any security to, any such committee, depositary or trustee, and
to delegate to them such power and authority with relation to
any security (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the
Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay,
such portion of the expenses and compensation of such committee,
depositary or trustee as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(f) To compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust
claims in favor of or against the Trust or any matter in
controversy, including but not limited to claims for taxes;
(g) To allocate assets, liabilities and expenses of
the Trust to a particular series of Shares or to apportion the
same among two or more series, provided that any liabilities or
expenses incurred by a particular series of Shares shall be
payable solely out of the assets of that series;
(h) To enter into joint ventures, general or limited
partnerships and any other combinations or associations;
(i) To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust
property such insurance as they may deem necessary or
appropriate for the conduct of the business, including without
limitation, insurance policies insuring the assets of the Trust
and payment of distributions and principal on its portfolio
investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders,
Trustees, officers, employees, agents, investment advisers or
Managers, principal underwriters, or independent contractors of
the Trust individually against all claims and liabilities of
every nature arising by reason of holding, being or having held
any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged
to have been taken or omitted by any such person as Shareholder,
Trustee, officer, employee, agent, investment adviser or
Manager, principal underwriter, or independent contractor,
including any action taken or omitted that may be determined to
constitute negligence, whether or not the Trust would have the
power to indemnify such person against such liability; and
(j) To pay pensions for faithful service, as deemed
appropriate by the Trustees, and to adopt, establish and carry
out pension, profit-sharing, share bonus, share purchase,
savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and benefit
plans, trusts and provisions, including the purchasing of life
insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing such
retirement and other benefits, for any or all of the Trustees,
officers, employees and agents of the Trust.
Further, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Trustees shall have full power and authority to
incur and pay out of the principal or income of the Trust such
expenses and liabilities as may be deemed by the Trustees to be
necessary or proper for the purposes of the Trust; provided,
however, that all expenses and liabilities incurred or arising
in connection with a particular series of Shares, as determined
by the Trustees, shall be payable solely out of the assets of
that series.
Any determination made in good faith and, so far as
accounting matters are involved, in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles by or pursuant to the authority
granted by the Trustees, as to the amount of the assets, debts,
obligations or liabilities of the Trust; the amount of any
reserves or charges set up and the propriety thereof; the time
of or purpose for creating such reserves or changes; the use,
alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges (whether
or not any debt, obligation or liability for which such reserves
or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or
discharged or shall be then or thereafter required to be paid or
discharged); the price or closing bid or asked price of any
investment owned or held by the Trust; the market value of any
investment or fair value of any other assent of the Trust; the
number of Shares outstanding; the estimated expense to the Trust
in connection with purchases of its Shares; the ability to
liquidate investments in an orderly fashion; the extent to which
it is practicable to deliver a cross-section of the portfolio of
the Trust in payment for any such Shares, or as to any other
matters relating to the issue, sale, purchase and/or other
acquisition or disposition of investments or Shares of the
Trust, shall be final and conclusive, and shall be binding upon
the Trust and its Shareholders, past, present and future, and
Shares are issued and sold on the condition and understanding
that any and all such determinations shall be binding as
aforesaid.
Section 3. Meetings. At any meeting of the Trustees,
a majority of the Trustees then in office shall constitute a
quorum. Any meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a
majority of the votes cast upon the question, whether or not a
quorum is present, and the meeting may be held as adjourned
without further notice.
When a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of
the Trustees present may take any action, except when a larger
vote is required by this Declaration of Trust, the By-Laws or
the 1940 Act.
Any action required or permitted to be taken at any
meeting of the Trustees or of any committee thereof may be taken
without a meeting, if a written consent to such action is signed
by a majority of the Trustees or members of any such committee
then in office, as the case may be, and such written consent is
filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Trustees or any
such committee.
The Trustees or any committee designated by the
Trustees may participate in a meeting of the Trustees or such
committee by means of a conference telephone or similar
communications equipment by means of which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same
time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in
person at a meeting.
Section 4. Ownership of Assets of the Trust. Title
to all of the assets of each series of Shares of the Trust at
all times shall be considered as vested in the Trustees.
Section 5. Investment Advice and Management Services.
The Trustees shall not in any way be bound or limited by any
present or future law or custom in regard to investments by
trustees. The Trustees from time to time may enter into a
written contract or contracts with any person or persons (herein
called the "Manager"), including The Dreyfus Corporation or any
other firm, corporation, trust or association in which any
Trustee or Shareholder may be interested, to act as investment
advisers and/or managers of the Trust and to provide such
investment advice and/or management as the Trustees from time to
time may consider necessary for the proper management of the
assets of the Trust, including, without limitation, authority to
determine from time to time what investments shall be purchased,
held, sold or exchanged and what portion, if any, of the assets
of the Trust shall be held uninvested and to make changes in the
Trust's investments. Any such contract shall be subject to the
requirements of the 1940 Act with respect to its continuance in
effect, its termination and the method of authorization and
approval of such contract, or any amendment thereto or renewal
thereof.
Any Trustee or any organization with which any Trustee
may be associated also may act as broker for the Trust in making
purchases and sales of securities for or to the Trust for its
investment portfolio, and may charge and receive from the Trust
the usual and customary commission for such service. Any
organization with which a Trustee may be associated in acting as
broker for the Trust shall be responsible only for the proper
execution of transactions in accordance with the instructions of
the Trust and shall be subject to no further liability of any
sort whatever.
The Manager, or any affiliate thereof, also may be a
distributor for the sale of Shares by separate contract or may
be a person controlled by or affiliated with any Trustee or any
distributor or a person in which any Trustee or any distributor
is interested financially, subject only to applicable provisions
of law. Nothing herein contained shall operate to prevent any
Manager, who also acts as such a distributor, from also
receiving compensation for services rendered as such
distributor.
Section 6. Removal and Resignation of Trustees. The
Trustees or the Shareholders (by vote of 66-2/3% of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon) may remove at any
time any Trustee with or without cause, and any Trustee may
resign at any time as Trustee, without penalty by written notice
to the Trust; provided that sixty days' advance written notice
shall be given in the event that there are only three or less
Trustees at the time a notice of resignation is submitted.
ARTICLE V
Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings
Section 1. Voting Powers. The Shareholders shall
have power to vote only (i) for the election of Trustees as
provided in Article IV, Section 1, of this Declaration of Trust;
provided, however, that no meeting of Shareholders is required
to be called for the purpose of electing Trustees unless and
until such time as less than a majority of the Trustees have
been elected by the Shareholders, (ii) for the removal of
Trustees as provided in Article IV, Section 6, (iii) with
respect to any Manager as provided in Article IV, Section 5,
(iv) with respect to any amendment of this Declaration of Trust
as provided in Article IX, Section 8, (v) with respect to a
consolidation, merger or certain sales of assets as provided in
Article IX, Section 4, (vi) with respect to the termination of
the Trust or a series of Shares as provided in Article IX,
Section 5, (vii) to the same extent as the stockholders of a
Massachusetts business corporation, as to whether or not a court
action, proceeding or claim should be brought or maintained
derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the
Shareholders, and (viii) with respect to such additional matters
relating to the Trust as may be required by law, by this
Declaration of Trust, or the By-Laws of the Trust or any
registration of the Trust with the Commission or any state, or
as the Trustees may consider desirable. Each whole Share shall
be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled
to vote (except that in the election of Trustees said vote may
be cast for as many persons as there are Trustees to be
elected), and each fractional Share shall be entitled to a
proportionate fractional vote. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Declaration of Trust, on any matter submitted
to a vote of Shareholders, all Shares of the Trust then entitled
to vote shall be voted by individual series, except (i) when
required by the 1940 Act, Shares shall be voted in the aggregate
and not by individual series and (ii) when the Trustees have
determined that the matter affects only the interests of one or
more series, then only Shareholders of such series shall be
entitled to vote thereon. There shall be no cumulative voting
in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or
by proxy. A proxy with respect to Shares held in the name of
two or more persons shall be valid if executed by any one of
them, unless at or prior to exercise of the proxy the Trust
receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any one
of them. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a
Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior
to its exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest
on the challenger. Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may
exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action
required by law, this Declaration of Trust or any By-Laws of the
Trust to be taken by Shareholders.
Section 2. Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders
may be called by the Trustees or such other person or persons as
may be specified in the By-Laws and shall be called by the
Trustees upon the written request of Shareholders owning at
least 25% of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote.
Shareholders shall be entitled to at least ten days' prior
notice of any meeting.
Section 3. Quorum and Required Vote. Thirty percent
(30%) of the outstanding Shares shall be a quorum for the
transaction of business at a Shareholders' meeting, except that
where any provision of law or of this Declaration of Trust
permits or requires that holders of any series shall vote as a
series, then thirty percent (30%) of the aggregate number of
Shares of that series entitled to vote shall be necessary to
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that
series. Any lesser number, however, shall be sufficient for
adjournment and any adjourned session or sessions may be held
within 90 days after the date set for the original meeting
without the necessity of further notice. Except when a larger
vote is required by any provision of this Declaration of Trust
or the By-Laws of the Trust and subject to any applicable
requirements of law, a majority of the Shares voted shall decide
any question and a plurality shall elect a Trustee, provided
that where any provision of law or of this Declaration of Trust
permits or requires that the holders of any series shall vote as
a series, then a majority of the Shares of that series voted on
the matter (or a plurality with respect to the election of a
Trustee) shall decide that matter insofar as that series is
concerned.
Section 4. Action by Written Consent. Any action
required or permitted to be taken at any meeting may be taken
without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth such
action, is signed by all the Shareholders entitled to vote on
the subject matter thereof and such consent is filed with the
records of the Trust.
Section 5. Additional Provisions. The By-Laws may
include further provisions for Shareholders' votes and meetings
and related matters.
ARTICLE VI
Distributions and Redemptions
Section 1. Distributions. The Trustees shall
distribute periodically to the Shareholders of each series of
Shares an amount approximately equal to the net income of that
series, determined by the Trustees or as they may authorize and
as herein provided. Distributions of income may be made in one
or more payments, which shall be in Shares, cash or otherwise,
and on a date or dates and as of a record date or dates
determined by the Trustees. At any time and from time to time
in their discretion, the Trustees also may cause to be
distributed to the Shareholders of any one or more series as of
a record date or dates determined by the Trustees, in Shares,
cash or otherwise, all or part of any gains realized on the sale
or disposition of the assets of the series or all or part of any
other principal of the Trust attributable to the series. Each
distribution pursuant to this Section 1 shall be made ratably
according to the number of shares of the series held by the
several Shareholders on the record date for such distribution,
provided that no distribution need be made on Shares purchased
pursuant to orders received, or for which payment is made, after
such time or times as the Trustees may determine.
Section 2. Determination of Net Income. In
determining the net income of each series of Shares for any
period, there shall be deducted from income for that period (a)
such portion of all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities due
or accrued as the Trustees shall consider properly chargeable
and fairly applicable to income for that period or any earlier
period and (b) whatever reasonable reserves the Trustees shall
consider advisable for possible future charges, taxes, expenses
and liabilities which the Trustees shall consider properly
chargeable and fairly applicable to income for that period or
any earlier period. The net income of each series for any
period may be adjusted for amounts included on account of net
income in the net asset value of Shares issued or redeemed or
repurchased during that period. In determining the net income
of a series for a period ending on a date other than the end of
its fiscal year, income may be estimated as the Trustees shall
deem fair. Gains on the sale or disposition of assets shall not
be treated as income, and losses shall not be charged against
income unless appropriate under applicable accounting
principles, except in the exercise of the discretionary powers
of the Trustees. Any amount contributed to the Trust which is
received as income pursuant to a decree of any court of
competent jurisdiction shall be applied as required by the said
decree.
Section 3. Redemptions. Any Shareholder shall be
entitled to require the Trust to redeem and the Trust shall be
obligated to redeem at the option of such Shareholder all or any
part of the Shares owned by said Shareholder, at the redemption
price, pursuant to the method, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions hereinafter set forth:
(a) Certificates for Shares, if issued, shall be
presented for redemption in proper form for transfer to the
Trust or the agent of the Trust appointed for such purpose, and
these shall be presented with a written request that the Trust
redeem all or any part of the Shares represented thereby.
(b) The redemption price per Share shall be the net
asset value per Share when next determined by the Trust at such
time or times as the Trustees shall designate, following the
time of presentation of certificates for Shares, if issued, and
an appropriate request for redemption, or such other time as the
Trustees may designate in accordance with any provision of the
1940 Act, or any rule or regulation made or adopted by any
securities association registered under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as determined by the Trustees.
(c) Net asset value of each series of Shares (for the
purpose of issuance of Shares as well as redemptions thereof)
shall be determined by dividing:
(i) the total value of the assets of such series
determined as provided in paragraph (d) below less, to
the extent determined by or pursuant to the direction
of the Trustees in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, all debts, obligations and
liabilities of such series (which debts, obligations
and liabilities shall include, without limitation of
the generality of the foregoing, any and all debts,
obligations, liabilities, or claims, of any and every
kind and nature, fixed, accrued and otherwise,
including the estimated accrued expenses of management
and supervision, administration and distribution and
any reserves or charges for any or all of the
foregoing, whether for taxes, expenses, or otherwise,
and the price of Shares redeemed but not paid for) but
excluding the Trust's liability upon its Shares and
its surplus, by
(ii) the total number of Shares of such series
outstanding.
The Trustees are empowered, in their absolute
discretion, to establish other methods for determining such net
asset value whenever such other methods are deemed by them to be
necessary to enable the Trust to comply with, or are deemed by
them to be desirable, provided they are not inconsistent with
any provision of the 1940 Act.
(d) In determining for the purposes of this
Declaration of Trust the total value of the assets of each
series of Shares at any time, investments and any other assets
of such series shall be valued in such manner as may be
determined from time to time by or pursuant to the order of the
Trustees.
(e) Payment of the redemption price by the Trust may
be made either in cash or in securities or other assets at the
time owned by the Trust or partly in cash and partly in
securities or other assets at the time owned by the Trust. The
value of any part of such payment to be made in securities or
other assets of the Trust shall be the value employed in
determining the redemption price. Payment of the redemption
price shall be made on or before the seventh day following the
day on which the Shares are properly presented for redemption
hereunder, except that delivery of any securities included in
any such payment shall be made as promptly as any necessary
transfers on the books of the issuers whose securities are to be
delivered may be made and, except as postponement of the date of
payment may be permissible under the 1940 Act.
Pursuant to resolution of the Trustees, the Trust may
deduct from the payment made for any shares redeemed a
liquidating charge not in excess of one percent (1%) of the
redemption price of the Shares so redeemed, and the Trustees may
alter or suspend any such liquidating charge from time to time.
(f) The right of any holder of Shares redeemed by the
Trust as provided in this Article VI to receive dividends or
distributions thereon and all other rights of such Shareholder
with respect to such Shares shall terminate at the time as of
which the redemption price of such Shares is determined, except
the right of such Shareholder to receive (i) the redemption
price of such Shares from the Trust in accordance with the
provisions hereof, and (ii) any dividend or distribution to
which such Shareholder previously had become entitled as the
record holder of such Shares on the record date for such
dividend or distribution.
(g) Redemption of Shares by the Trust is conditional
upon the Trust having funds or other assets legally available
therefor.
(h) The Trust, either directly or through an agent,
may repurchase its Shares, out of funds legally available
therefor, upon such terms and conditions and for such
consideration as the Trustees shall deem advisable, by agreement
with the owner at a price not exceeding the net asset value per
Share as determined by or pursuant to the order of the Trustees
at such time or times as the Trustees shall designate, less a
charge not to exceed one percent (1%) of such net asset value,
if and as fixed by resolution of the Trustees from time to time,
and to take all other steps deemed necessary or advisable in
connection therewith.
(i) Shares purchased or redeemed by the Trust shall
be cancelled or held by the Trust for reissue, as the Trustees
from time to time may determine.
(j) The obligations set forth in this Article VI may
be suspended or postponed, (1) for any period (i) during which
the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than for customary
weekend and holiday closings, or (ii) during which trading on
the New York Stock Exchange is restricted, (2) for any period
during which an emergency exists as a result of which (i) the
disposal by the Trust of investments owned by it is not
reasonably practicable, or (ii) it is not reasonably practicable
for the Trust fairly to determine the value of its net assets,
or (3) for such other periods as the Commission or any successor
governmental authority by order may permit.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3
of Article VI, if certificates representing such Shares have
been issued, the redemption or repurchase price need not be paid
by the Trust until such certificates are presented in proper
form for transfer to the Trust or the agent of the Trust
appointed for such purpose; however, the redemption or
repurchase shall be effective, in accordance with the resolution
of the Trustees, regardless of whether or not such presentation
has been made.
Section 4. Redemptions at the Option of the Trust.
The Trust shall have the right at its option and at any time to
redeem Shares of any Shareholder at the net asset value thereof
as determined in accordance with Section 3 of Article VI of this
Declaration of Trust: (i) if at such time such Shareholder owns
fewer Shares than, or Shares having an aggregate net asset value
of less than, an amount determined from time to time by the
Trustees; or (ii) to the extent that such SharehoLder owns
Shares of a particular series of Shares equal to or in excess of
a percentage of the outstanding Shares of that series determined
from time to time by the Trustees; or (iii) to the extent that
such Shareholder owns Shares of the Trust representing a
percentage equal to or in excess of such percentage of the
aggregate number of outstanding Shares of the Trust or the
aggregate net asset value of the Trust determined from time to
time by the Trustees.
Section 5. Dividends, Distributions, Redemptions and
Repurchases. No dividend or distribution (including, without
limitation, any distribution paid upon termination of the Trust
or of any series) with respect to, nor any redemption or
repurchase of, the Shares of any series shall be effected by the
Trust other than from the assets of such series.
ARTICLE VII
Compensation and Limitation of
Liability of Trustees
Section 1. Compensation. The Trustees shall be
entitled to reasonable compensation from the Trust and may fix
the amount of their compensation.
Section 2. Limitation of Liability. The Trustees
shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect
or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee or Manager of the
Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or
omission of any other Trustee, but nothing herein contained
shall protect any Trustee against any liability to which he
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate,
share, or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever
executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees or
any of them in connection with the Trust, shall be deemed
conclusively to have been executed or done only in their or his
capacity as Trustees or Trustee, and such Trustees or Trustee
shall not be personally liable thereon.
ARTICLE VIII
Indemnification
Section 1. Indemnification of Trustees, Officers,
Employees and Agents. Each person who is or was a Trustee,
officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be entitled to
indemnification out of the assets of the Trust to the extent
provided in, and subject to the provisions of, the By-Laws,
provided that no indemnification shall be granted by the Trust
in contravention of the 1940 Act.
Section 2. Merge Corporations. For the purposes of
this Article VIII references to "the Trust" include any
constituent corporation (including any constituent of a
constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its
separate existence had continued, would have had power and
authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or
agents as well as the resulting or surviving entity; so that any
person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
such a constituent corporation or is or was serving at the
request of such a constituent corporation as a trustee,
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise shall
stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article
VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he
would have with respect to such a constituent corporation if its
separate existence had continued.
Section 3. Shareholders. In case any Shareholder or
former Shareholder shall be held to be personally liable solely
by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder and not
because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the
Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors,
administrators or other legal representatives or in the case of
a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general
successor) shall be entitled out of the assets of the Trust to
be held harmless from and indemnified against all losses and
expenses arising from such liability. Upon request, the Trust
shall cause its counsel to assume the defense of any claim
which, if successful, would result in an obligation of the Trust
to indemnify the Shareholder as aforesaid.
ARTICLE IX
Status of the Trust and Other General Provisions
Section 1. Trust Not a Partnership. It is hereby
expressly declared that a trust and not a partnership is created
hereby. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer,
employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind
personally either the Trust's Trustees or officers or any
Shareholders. All persons extending credit to, contracting with
or having any claim against the Trust or a particular series of
Shares shall look only to the assets of the Trust or the assets
of that particular series for payment under such credit,
contract or claim; and neither the Shareholders nor the
Trustees, nor any of the Trust's officers, employees or agents,
whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable
therefor. Nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall protect
any Trustee against any liability to which such Trustee
otherwise would be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee hereunder.
Section 2. Trustee's Good Faith Action, Expert
Advice, No Bond or Surety. The exercise by the Trustees of
their powers and discretion hereunder under the circumstances
then prevailing, shall be binding upon everyone interested. A
Trustee shall be liable for his or her own wilful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and for
nothing else, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or
mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of
counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and
operation of this Declaration of Trust, and subject to the
provisions of Section l of this Article IX shall be under no
liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice
or for failing to follow such advice. The Trustees shall not be
required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is
required.
Section Trustees. No person dealing with the Trustees
shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any
transaction made or to be made by the Trustees pursuant hereto or
to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred
to the Trust or upon its order.
Section 4. Trustees, Shareholders, etc. Not
Personally Liable: Notice. All persons extending credit to,
contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or a
particular series of Shares shall look only to the assets of the
Trust or the assets of that particular series of Shares for
payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the
Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor any of the Trust's officers,
employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be
personally liable therefor.
Section 5. Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets.
The Trust may, in accordance with the provisions of this
Section:
(1) Consolidate with one or more corporations or
trusts to form a new consolidated corporation or trust; or
(2) Merge into a corporation or trust, or have merged
into it one or more corporations or trusts; or
(3) Sell, lease, exchange or transfer all, or
substantially all, its property and assets, including its good
will and franchises.
Any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, exchange
or other transfer of all or substantially all of the property
and assets of the Trust may be made only upon substantially the
terms and conditions set forth in a proposed form of articles of
consolidation, articles of merger or articles of sale, lease,
exchange or transfer, as the case may be, which are approved by
votes of the Trustees and Shareholders holding a majority of the
Shares entitled to vote thereon, provided that in the case of a
merger in which the Trust is the surviving entity which effects
no reclassification or change of any outstanding shares of the
Trust or other amendment of this Declaration of Trust, no vote
of the Shareholders shall be necessary (and in lieu thereof, the
proposed articles of merger shall be approved by a majority of
the Trustees) if the number of Shares, if any, of the Trust to
be issued or delivered in the merger does not exceed fifteen
percent of the number of Shares outstanding (before giving
effect to the merger) on the effective date of the merger. Any
articles of consolidation, merger, sale, lease, exchange or
transfer shall constitute a supplemental Declaration of Trust,
copies of which shall be filed as specified in Section 7 of this
Article IX.
Section 6. Termination of Trust. Unless terminated
as provided herein, the Trust shall continue without limitation
of time. The Trust may be terminated at any time by vote of
Shareholders holding at least a majority of the Shares of each
series entitled to vote or by the Trustees by written notice to
the Shareholders. Any series of Shares may be terminated at any
time by vote of Shareholders holding at least a majority of the
Shares of such series entitled to vote or by the Trustees by
written notice to the Shareholders of such series.
Upon termination of the Trust or of any one or more
series of Shares, after paying or otherwise providing for all
charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities, whether due or accrued
or anticipated as may be determined by the Trustees, the Trust
shall reduce, in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees
consider appropriate, the remaining assets to distributable form
in cash or shares or other securities, or any combination
thereof, and distribute the proceeds to the Shareholders of the
series involved, ratably according to the number of Shares of
such series held by the several Shareholders of such series on
the date of termination.
Section 7. Filing of Copies, References, Readings.
The original or a copy of this instrument and of each amendment
hereto and of each Declaration of Trust supplemental hereto
shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be
inspected by any Shareholder. A copy of this instrument and of
each such amendment and supplemental Declaration of Trust shall
be filed by the Trust with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and the Boston City Clerk, as well as any other
governmental office where such filing may from time to time be
required. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a
certificate by an officer of the Trust as to whether or not any
such amendments or supplemental Declarations of Trust have been
made and as to matters in connection with the Trust hereunder;
and, with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely
on a copy certified by an officer of the Trust to be a copy of
this instrument or of any such amendment or supplemental
Declaration of Trust. In this instrument or in any such
amendment or supplemental Declaration of Trust, references to
this instrument, and all expressions like "herein", "hereof",
and "hereunder", shall be deemed to refer to this instrument as
amended or affected by any such amendment or supplemental
Declaration of Trust. Readings are placed herein for
convenience of reference only and in case of any conflict, the
text of this instrument, rather than the headings, shall
control. This instrument may be executed in any number of
counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original.
Section 8. Applicable Law. The Trust set forth in
this instrument is made in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
and it is created under and is to be governed by and construed
and administered according to the laws of said Commonwealth.
The trust shall be of the type commonly called a Massachusetts
business trust, and without limiting the provisions hereof, the
Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by
such a Trust.
Section 9. Amendments. This Declaration of Trust
amended at any time by an instrument in writing signed by a
majority of the then Trustees when authorized so to do by a vote
of Shareholders holding a majority of the Shares of each series
entitled to vote, except that an amendment which shall affect
the holders of one or more series of Shares but not the holders
of all outstanding series shall be authorized by vote of the
Shareholders holding a majority of the Shares entitled to vote
of each series affected and no vote of Shareholders of a series
not affected shall be required. Amendments having the purpose
of changing the name of the Trust or of supplying any omission,
curing any ambiguity or curing, correcting or supplementing any
defective or inconsistent provision contained herein shall not
require authorization by Shareholder vote.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Richard J. Moynihan has hereunto
set his hand and seal in the City of Boston, Massachusetts, for
himself and his assigns as of the day and year first above
written.
/s/Richard J. Moynihan
Richard J. Moynihan
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 13, 1985
Then personally appeared the above named Richard J.
Moynihan, and acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be his
free act and deed, before me.
/s/Germaine P. Beecher
Notary Public
My Commission expires: 2/20/1992
BY-LAWS
OF
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
ARTICLE 1
Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Principal Office
1.1 Agreement and Declaration of Trust. These By-
Laws shall be subject to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust,
as from time to time in effect (the "Declaration of Trust"), of
the above-captioned Massachusetts business trust established by
the Declaration of Trust (the "Trust").
1.2 Principal Office of the Trust. The principal
office of the Trust shall be located in New York, New York. Its
resident agent in Massachusetts shall be CT Corporation System,
2 Oliver Street, Boston, Massachusetts, or such other person as
the Trustees from time to time may select.
ARTICLE 2
Meetings of Trustees
2.1 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the
Trustees may be held without call or notice at such places and
at such times as the Trustees from time to time may determine,
provided that notice of the first regular meeting following any
such determination shall be given to absent Trustees.
2.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the
Trustees may be held at any time and at any place designated in
the call of the meeting when called by the President or the
Treasurer or by two or more Trustees, sufficient notice thereof
being given to each Trustee by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary or by the officer or the Trustees calling the meeting.
2.3 Notice of Special Meetings. It shall be
sufficient notice to a Trustee of a special meeting to send
notice by mail at least forty-eight hours or by telegram at
least twenty-four hours before the meeting addressed to the
Trustee at his or her usual or last known business or residence
address or to give notice to him or her in person or by
telephone at least twenty-four hours before the meeting. Notice
of a meeting need not be given to any Trustee if a written
waiver of notice, executed by him or her before or after the
meeting, is filed with the records of the meeting, or to any
Trustee who attends the meeting without protesting prior thereto
or at its commencement the lack of notice to him or her.
Neither notice of a meeting nor a waiver of a notice need
specify the purposes of the meeting.
2.4 Notice of Certain Actions by Consent. If in
accordance with the provisions of the Declaration of Trust any
action is taken by the Trustees by a written consent of less
than all of the Trustees, then prompt notice of any such action
shall be furnished to each Trustee who did not execute such
written consent, provided that the effectiveness of such action
shall not be impaired by any delay or failure to furnish such
notice.
ARTICLE 3
Officers
3.1 Enumeration; Qualification. The officers of the
Trust shall be a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and such
other officers, if any, as the Trustees from time to time may in
their discretion elect. The Trust also may have such agents as
the Trustees from time to time may in their discretion appoint.
Officers may be but need not be a Trustee or shareholder. Any
two or more offices may be held by the same person.
3.2 Election. The President, the Treasurer and the
Secretary shall be elected by the Trustees upon the occurrence
of any vacancy in any such office. Other officers, if any, may
be elected or appointed by the Trustees at any time. Vacancies
in any such other office may be filled at any time.
3.3 Tenure. The President, Treasurer and Secretary
shall hold office in each case until he or she sooner dies,
resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. Each other officer
shall hold office and each agent shall retain authority at the
pleasure of the Trustees.
3.4 Powers. Subject to the other provisions of these
By-Laws, each officer shall have, in addition to the duties and
powers herein and in the Declaration of Trust set forth, such
duties and powers as commonly are incident to the office
occupied by him or her as if the Trust were organized as a
Massachusetts business corporation or such other duties and
powers as the Trustees may from time to time designate.
3.5 President. Unless the Trustees otherwise
provide, the President shall preside at all meetings of the
shareholders and of the Trustees. Unless the Trustees otherwise
provide, the President shall be the chief executive officer.
3.6 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the chief
financial and accounting officer of the Trust, and, subject to
the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and to any
arrangement made by the Trustees with a custodian, investment
adviser or manager, or transfer, shareholder servicing or
similar agent, shall be in charge of the valuable papers, books
of account and accounting records of the Trust, and shall have
such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to
time by the Trustees or by the President.
3.7 Secretary. The Secretary shall record all
proceedings of the shareholders and the Trustees in books to be
kept therefor, which books or a copy thereof shall be kept at
the principal office of the Trust. In the absence of the
Secretary from any meeting of the shareholders or Trustees, an
Assistant Secretary, or if there be none or if he or she is
absent, a temporary Secretary chosen at such meeting shall
record the proceedings thereof in the aforesaid books.
3.8 Resignations and Removals. Any Trustee or
officer may resign at any time by written instrument signed by
him or her and delivered to the President or Secretary or to a
meeting of the Trustees. Such resignation shall be effective
upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other
time. The Trustees may remove any officer elected by them with
or without cause. Except to the extent expressly provided in a
written agreement with the Trust, no Trustee or officer
resigning and no officer removed shall have any right to any
compensation for any period following his or her resignation or
removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal.
ARTICLE 4
Committees
4.1 Appointment. The Trustees may appoint from their
number an executive committee and other committees. Except as
the Trustees otherwise may determine, any such committee may
make rules for conduct of its business.
4.2 Quorum; Voting. A majority of the members of any
Committee of the Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business, and any action of such a Committee may
be taken at a meeting by a vote of a majority of the members
present (a quorum being present).
ARTICLE 5
Reports
The Trustees and officers shall render reports at the
time and in the manner required by the Declaration of Trust or
any applicable law. Officers and Committees shall render such
additional reports as they may deem desirable or as may from
time to time be required by the Trustees.
ARTICLE 6
Fiscal Year
Except as from time to time otherwise provided by the
Trustees, the fiscal year of the Trust shall end on April 30th
in each year.
ARTICLE 7
Seal
The seal of the Trust shall consist of a flat-faced
die with the word "Massachusetts," together with the name of the
Trust and the year of its organization cut or engraved thereon
but, unless otherwise required by the Trustees, the seal shall
not be necessary to be placed on, and in its absence shall not
impair the validity of, any document, instrument or other paper
executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Trust.
ARTICLE 8
Execution of Papers
Except as the Trustees generally or in particular
cases may authorize the execution thereof in some other manner,
all deeds, leases, contracts, notes and other obligations made
by the Trustees shall be signed by the President, any Vice
President, or by the Treasurer and need not bear the seal of the
Trust.
ARTICLE 9
Issuance of Share Certificates
9.1 Sale of Shares. Except as otherwise determined
by the Trustees, the Trust will issue and sell for cash or
securities from time to time, full and fractional shares of its
shares of beneficial interest, such shares to be issued and sold
at a price of not less than net asset value per share as from
time to time determined in accordance with the Declaration of
Trust and these By-Laws and, in the case of fractional shares,
at a proportionate reduction in such price. In the case of
shares sold for securities, such securities shall be valued in
accordance with the provisions for determining value of assets
of the Trust as stated in the Declaration of Trust and these
By-Laws. The officers of the Trust are severally authorized to
take all such actions as may be necessary or desirable to carry
out this Section 9.1.
9.2 Share Certificates. In lieu of issuing
certificates for shares, the Trustees or the transfer agent
either may issue receipts therefor or may keep accounts upon the
books of the Trust for the record holders of such shares, who
shall in either case, for all purposes hereunder, be deemed to
be the holders of certificates for such shares as if they had
accepted such certificates and shall be held to have expressly
assented and agreed to the terms hereof.
The Trustees at any time may authorize the issuance of
share certificates. In that event, each shareholder shall be
entitled to a certificate stating the number of shares owned by
him, in such form as shall be prescribed from time to time by
the Trustees. Such certificate shall be signed by the President
or Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer.
Such signatures may be facsimile if the certificate is signed by
a transfer agent, or by a registrar, other than a Trustee,
officer or employee of the Trust. In case any officer who has
signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on
such certificate shall cease to be such officer before such
certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Trust with the
same effect as if he or she were such officer at the time of its
issue.
9.3 Loss of Certificates. The Trust, or if any
transfer agent is appointed for the Trust, the transfer agent
with the approval of any two officers of the Trust, is
authorized to issue and countersign replacement certificates for
the shares of the Trust which have been lost, stolen or
destroyed subject to the deposit of a bond or other indemnity in
such form and with such security, if any, as the Trustees may
require.
9.4 Discontinuance of Issuance of Certificates. The
Trustees at any time may discontinue the issuance of share
certificates and by written notice to each shareholder, may
require the surrender of share certificates to the Trust for
cancellation. Such surrender and cancellation shall not affect
the ownership of shares in the Trust.
ARTICLE 10
Indemnification
10.1 Trustees, Officers, etc. The Trust shall
indemnify each of its Trustees and officers (including persons
who serve at the Trust's request as directors, officers or
trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any
interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) (hereinafter
referred to as a "Covered Person") against all liabilities and
expenses, including but not limited to amounts paid in
satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and
penalties, and counsel fees reasonably incurred by any Covered
Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any
action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal,
before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which
such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party
or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been
threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or
having been such a Trustee or officer, except with respect to
any matter as to which such Covered Person shall have been
finally adjudicated in a decision on the merits in any such
action, suit or other proceeding not to have acted in good faith
in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was
in the best interests of the Trust and except that no Covered
Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust
or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise
be subject by reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of such Covered Person's office. Expenses, including
counsel fees so incurred by any such Covered Person (but
excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in
compromise or as fines or penalties), may be paid from time to
time by the Trust in advance of the final disposition or any
such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking
by or on behalf of such Covered Person to repay amounts so paid
to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that indemnification
of such expenses is not authorized under this Article, provided
that (a) such Covered Person shall provide security for his
undertaking, (b) the Trust shall be insured against losses
arising by reason of such Covered Person's failure to fulfill
his undertaking, or (c) a majority of the Trustees who are
disinterested persons and who are not Interested Persons (as
that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940)
(provided that a majority of such Trustees then in office act on
the matter), or independent legal counsel in a written opinion,
shall determine, based on a review of readily available facts
(but not a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to
believe such Covered Person ultimately will be entitled to
indemnification.
10.2 Compromise Payment. As to any matter disposed
of (whether by a compromise payment, pursuant to a consent
decree or otherwise) without an adjudication in a decision on
the merits by a court, or by any other body before which the
proceeding was brought, that such Covered Person either (a) did
not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered
Person's action was in the best interests of the Trust or (b) is
liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of wilful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's
office, indemnification shall be provided if (a) approved as in
the best interest of the Trust, after notice that it involves
such indemnification, by at least a majority of the Trustees who
are disinterested persons and are not Interested Persons
(provided that a majority of such Trustees then in office act on
the matter), upon a determination, based upon a review of
readily available facts (but not a full trial-type inquiry) that
such Covered Person acted in good faith in the reasonable belief
that such Covered Person's action was in the best interests of
the Trust and is not liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by
reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such
Covered Person's office, or (b) there has been obtained an
opinion in writing of independent legal counsel, based upon a
review of readily available facts (but not a full trial-type
inquiry) to the effect that such Covered Person appears to have
acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered
Person's action was in the best interests of the Trust and that
such indemnification would not protect such Covered Person
against any liability to the Trust to which such Covered Person
would otherwise be subject by reason of wilful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office. Any approval pursuant to
this Section shall not prevent the recovery from any Covered
Person of any amount paid to such Covered Person in accordance
with this Section as indemnification if such Covered Person is
subsequently adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction
not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that
such Covered Person's action was in the best interests of the
Trust or to have been liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by
reason of wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such
Covered Person's office.
10.3 Indemnification Not Exclusive. The right of
indemnification hereby provided shall not be exclusive of or
affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be
entitled. As used in this Article 10, the term "Covered Person"
shall include such person's heirs, executors and administrators,
and a "disinterested person" is a person against whom none of
the actions, suits or other proceedings in question or another
action, suit, or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds
is then or has been pending. Nothing contained in this article
shall affect any rights to indemnification to which personnel of
the Trust, other than Trustees and officers, and other persons
may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law, nor the
power of the Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance
on behalf of such person.
10.4 Limitation: Notwithstanding any provisions in
the Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws pertaining to
indemnification, all such provisions are limited by the
following undertaking set forth in the rules promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission:
In the event that a claim for indemnifi-cation is
asserted by a Trustee, officer or controlling person
of the Trust in connection with the registered
securities of the Trust, the Trust will not make such
indemnification unless (i) the Trust has submitted,
before a court or other body, the question of whether
the person to be indemnified was liable by reason of
wilful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of duties, and has obtained a final
decision on the merits that such person was not liable
by reason of such conduct or (ii) in the absence of
such decision, the Trust shall have obtained a
reasonable determination, based upon a review of the
facts, that such person was not liable by virtue of
such conduct, by (a) the vote of a majority of
Trustees who are neither interested persons as such
term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
nor parties to the proceeding or (b) an independent
legal counsel in a written opinion.
The Trust will not advance attorneys' fees or
other expenses incurred by the person to be
indemnified unless the Trust shall have (i) received
an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay
the advance unless it is ultimately determined that
such person is entitled to indemnification and one of
the following conditions shall have occurred: (x)
such person shall provide security for his
undertaking, (y) the Trust shall be insured against
losses arising by reason of any lawful advances or (z)
a majority of the disinterested, non-party Trustees of
the Trust, or an independent legal counsel in a
written opinion, shall have determined that based on a
review of readily available facts there is reason to
believe that such person ultimately will be found
entitled to indemnification.
ARTICLE 11
Shareholders
11.1 Meetings. A meeting of the shareholders shall
be called by the Secretary whenever ordered by the Trustees, or
requested in writing by the holder or holders of at least 10% of
the outstanding shares entitled to vote at such meeting. If the
meeting is a meeting of the shareholders of one or more series
of shares, but not a meeting of all shareholders of the Trust,
then only the shareholders of such one or more series shall be
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. If the
Secretary, when so ordered or requested, refuses or neglects for
more than five days to call such meeting, the Trustees, or the
shareholders so requesting may, in the name of the Secretary,
call the meeting by giving notice thereof in the manner required
when notice is given by the Secretary.
11.2 Access to Shareholder List. Shareholders of
record may apply to the Trustees for assistance in communicating
with other shareholders for the purpose of calling a meeting in
order to vote upon the question of removal of a Trustee. When
ten or more shareholders of record who have been such for at
least six months preceding the date of application and who hold
in the aggregate shares having a net asset value of at least
$25,000 or at least 1% of the outstanding shares, whichever is
less, so apply, the Trustees shall within five business days
either:
(i) afford to such applicants access to a list
of names and addresses of all shareholders as recorded on the
books of the Trust; or
(ii) inform such applicants of the approximate
number of shareholders of record and the approximate cost of
mailing material to them and, within a reasonable time
thereafter, mail, at the applicants' expense, materials
submitted by the applicants, to all such shareholders of record.
The Trustees shall not be obligated to mail materials which they
believe to be misleading or in violation of applicable law.
11.3 Record Dates. For the purpose of determining
the shareholders of any series who are entitled to vote or act
at any meeting or any adjournment thereof, or who are entitled
to receive payment of any dividend or of any other distribution,
the Trustees from time to time may fix a time, which shall be
not more than 60 days before the date of any meeting of
shareholders or the date of payment of any dividend or of any
other distribution, as the record date for determining the
shareholders of such series having the right to notice of and to
vote at such meeting and any adjournment thereof or the right to
receive such dividend or distribution, and in such case only
shareholders of record on such record date shall have such right
notwithstanding any transfer of shares on the books of the Trust
after the record date; or without fixing such record date the
Trustees may for any such purposes close the register or
transfer books for all or part of such period.
11.4 Place of Meetings. All meetings of the
shareholders shall be held at the principal office of the Trust
or at such other place within the United States as shall be
designated by the Trustees or the President of the Trust.
11.5 Notice of Meetings. A written notice of each
meeting of shareholders, stating the place, date and hour and
the purposes of the meeting, shall be given at least ten days
before the meeting to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat
by leaving such notice with him or at his residence or usual
place of business or by mailing it, postage prepaid, and
addressed to such shareholder at his address as it appears in
the records of the Trust. Such notice shall be given by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or by an officer designated
by the Trustees. No notice of any meeting of shareholders need
be given to a shareholder if a written waiver of notice,
executed before or after the meeting by such shareholder or his
attorney thereunto duly authorized, is filed with the records of
the meeting.
11.6 Ballots. No ballot shall be required for any
unless requested by a shareholder present or represented at the
meeting and entitled to vote in the election.
11.7 Proxies. Shareholders entitled to vote may vote
either in person or by proxy in writing dated not more than six
months before the meeting named therein, which proxies shall be
filed with the Secretary or other person responsible to record
the proceedings of the meeting before being voted. Unless
otherwise specifically limited by their terms, such proxies
shall entitle the holders thereof to vote at any adjournment of
such meeting but shall not be valid after the final adjournment
of such meeting.
ARTICLE 12
Amendments to the By-Laws
These By-Laws may be amended or repealed, in whole or
in part, by a majority of the Trustees then in office at any
meeting of the Trustees, or by one or more writings signed by
such a majority.
Dated: May 13, 1985
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
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 May 24, 1995, and
thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual
periods ending on May 24th 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 Agree-
ment 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).
The Fund recognizes that from time to time your
directors, officers and employees may serve as directors,
trustees, partners, officers and employees of other
corporations, business trusts, partnerships or other entities
(including other investment companies) and that such other
entities may include the name "Dreyfus" as part of their name,
and that your corporation or its affiliates may enter into
investment advisory or other agreements with such other
entities. If you cease to act as the Fund's investment adviser,
the Fund agrees that, at your request, the Fund will take all
necessary action to change the name of the Fund to a name not
including "Dreyfus" in any form or combination of words.
This Agreement has been executed on behalf of the Fund
by the undersigned officer of the Fund in his capacity as an
officer of the Fund. The obligations of this Agreement shall
only be binding upon the assets and property of the Fund and
shall not be binding upon any Board member, officer or
shareholder of the Fund individually.
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,
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS
TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
By:
Accepted:
THE DREYFUS CORPORATION
By:_______________________________
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
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.
5. Miscellaneous
This agreement has been executed on behalf of the Fund
by the undersigned officer of the Fund in his capacity as an
officer of the Fund. The obligations of this agreement shall
only be binding upon the assets and property of the Fund and
shall not be binding upon any Board member, officer or
shareholder of the Fund individually.
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,
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT
BOND FUND
By:
Accepted:
PREMIER MUTUAL FUND SERVICES, INC.
By:________________________
EXHIBIT A
Reapproval Date Reapproval Day
May 24, 1996 May 24th
AMENDED AND RESTATED CUSTODY AGREEMENT
Amended and Restated Custody Agreement made as of
August 18, 1989 between DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND
FUND, a business trust organized and existing under the laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having its principal office
and place of business at 666 Old Country Road, Garden City, New
York 11530 (hereinafter called the "Fund"), and THE BANK OF NEW
YORK, a New York corporation authorized to do a banking
business, having its principal office and place of business at
48 Wall Street, New York, New York 10015 (hereinafter called the
"Custodian").
W I T N E S S E T H :
that for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter
set forth the Fund and the Custodian agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words
and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have
the following meanings:
1. "Authorized Person" shall be deemed to include the
Treasurer, the Controller or any other person, whether or not
any such person is an Officer or employee of the Fund, duly
authorized by the Trustees of the Fund to give Oral Instructions
and Written Instructions on behalf of the Fund and listed in the
Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix A or such other
Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from time to
time.
2. "Available Balance" shall mean for any given day
during a calendar year the aggregate amount of Federal Funds
held in the Fund's custody account(s) at The Bank of New York,
or its successors, as of the close of such day or, if such day
is not a business day, the close of the preceding business day.
3. "Bankruptcy" shall mean with respect to a party
such party's making a general assignment, arrangement or
composition with or for the benefit of its creditors, or
instituting or having instituted against it a proceeding seeking
a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order
for relief under the Federal bankruptcy law or any other relief
under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law
affecting creditors' rights, or if a petition is presented for
the winding up or liquidation of the party or a resolution is
passed for its winding up or liquidation, or it seeks, or
becomes subject to, the appointment of an administrator,
receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or
for all or substantially all of its assets or its taking any
action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to approval
of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing.
4. "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal
Reserve/Treasury book-entry system for United States and Federal
agency securities, its successor or successors and its nominee
or nominees.
5. "Call Option" shall mean an exchange traded option
with respect to Securities other than Stock Index Options,
Futures Contracts and Futures Contract Options entitling the
holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise price,
as specified therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the
specified underlying Securities.
6. "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction,
or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this
Agreement to be given to the Custodian, which is actually
received by the Custodian and signed on behalf of the Fund by
any two Officers of the Fund.
7. "Clearing Member" shall mean a registered broker-
dealer which is a clearing member under the rules of O.C.C. and
a member of a national securities exchange qualified to act as a
custodian for an investment company, or any broker-dealer
reasonably believed by the Custodian to be such a clearing
member.
8. "Collateral Account" shall mean a segregated
account so denominated and pledged to the Custodian as security
for, and in consideration of, the Custodian's issuance of (a)
any Put Option guarantee letter or similar document described in
paragraph 8 of Article V herein, or (b) any receipt described in
Article V or VIII herein.
9. "Consumer Price Index" shall mean the U.S.
Consumer Price Index, all items and all urban consumers, U.S.
city average 1982-84 equals 100, as first published without
seasonal adjustment by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the
Department of Labor, without regard to subsequent revisions or
corrections by such Bureau.
10. "Covered Call Option" shall mean an exchange
traded option entitling the holder, upon timely exercise and
payment of the exercise price, as specified therein, to purchase
from the writer thereof the specified Securities (excluding
Futures Contracts) which are owned by the writer thereof and
subject to appropriate restrictions.
11. "Depository" shall mean The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC"), a clearing agency registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, its successor or successors
and its nominee or nominees, provided the Custodian has received
a certified copy of a resolution of the Fund's Trustees
specifically approving deposits in DTC. The term "Depository"
shall further mean and include any other person authorized to
act as a depository under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
its successor or successors and its nominee or nominees,
specifically identified in a certified copy of a resolution of
the Fund's Trustees specifically approving deposits therein by
the Custodian.
12. "Earnings Credit" shall mean for any given day
during a calendar year the product of (a) the Federal Funds Rate
for such date minus .25%, and (b) 82% of the Available Balance.
13. "Federal Funds" shall mean immediately available
same day funds.
14. "Federal Funds Rate" shall mean, for any day, the
Federal Funds (Effective) interest rate so denominated as
published in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) and
applicable to such day and each succeeding day which is not a
business day.
15. "Financial Futures Contract" shall mean the firm
commitment to buy or sell fixed income securities, including,
without limitation, U.S. Treasury Bills, U.S. Treasury Notes,
U.S. Treasury Bonds, domestic bank certificates of deposit, and
Eurodollar certificates of deposit, during a specified month at
an agreed upon price.
16. "Futures Contract" shall mean a Financial Futures
Contract and/or Stock Index Futures Contracts.
17. "Futures Contract Option" shall mean an option
with respect to a Futures Contract.
18. "Margin Account" shall mean a segregated account
in the name of a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or
Clearing Member, or in the name of the Fund for the benefit of a
broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member,
or otherwise, in accordance with an agreement between the Fund,
the Custodian and a broker, dealer, futures commission merchant
or Clearing Member (a "Margin Account Agreement"), separate and
distinct from the custody account, in which certain Securities
and/or money of the Fund shall be deposited and withdrawn from
time to time in connection with such transactions as the Fund
may from time to time determine. Securities held in the
Book-Entry System or the Depository shall be deemed to have been
deposited in, or withdrawn from, a Margin Account upon the
Custodian's effecting an appropriate entry on its books and
records.
19. "Merger" shall mean (a) with respect to the Fund,
the consolidation or amalgamation with, merger into, or transfer
of all or substantially all of its assets to, another entity,
where the Fund is not the surviving entity, and (b) with respect
to the Custodian, any consolidation or amalgamation with, merger
into, or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets to,
another entity, except for any such consolidation, amalgamation,
merger or transfer of assets between the Custodian and The Bank
of New York Company, Inc. or any subsidiary thereof, or the
Irving Bank Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, provided that
the surviving entity agrees to be bound by the terms of this
Agreement.
20. "Money Market Security" shall be deemed to
include, without limitation, debt obligations issued or
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the government of the
United States or agencies or instrumentalities thereof,
commercial paper, certificates of deposit and bankers'
acceptances, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements with
respect to the same and bank time deposits, where the purchase
and sale of such securities normally requires settlement in
Federal funds on the same date as such purchase or sale.
21. "O.C.C." shall mean Options Clearing Corporation,
a clearing agency registered under Section 17A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, its successor or successors, and its
nominee or nominees.
22. "Officers" shall be deemed to include the
President, any Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the
Controller, any Assistant Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or
any other person or persons duly authorized by the Trustees of
the Fund to execute any Certificate, instruction, notice or
other instrument on behalf of the Fund and listed in the
Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix B or such other
Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from time to
time.
23. "Option" shall mean a Call Option, Covered Call
Option, Stock Index Option and/or a Put Option.
24. "Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal
instructions actually received by the Custodian from an
Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by the
Custodian to be an Authorized Person.
25. "Put Option" shall mean an exchange traded option
with respect to Securities other than Stock Index Options,
Futures Contracts, and Futures Contract Options entitling the
holder, upon timely exercise and tender of the specified
underlying Securities, to sell such Securities to the writer
thereof for the exercise price.
26. "Reverse Repurchase Agreement" shall mean an
agreement pursuant to which the Fund sells Securities and agrees
to repurchase such Securities at a described or specified date
and price.
27. "Security" shall be deemed to include, without
limitation, Money Market Securities, Call Options, Put Options,
Stock Index Options, Stock Index Futures Contracts, Stock Index
Futures Contract Options, Financial Futures Contracts, Financial
Futures Contract Options, Reverse Repurchase Agreements, common
stock and other instruments or rights having characteristics
similar to common stocks, preferred stocks, debt obligations
issued by state or municipal governments and by public
authorities (including, without limitation, general obligation
bonds, revenue bonds and industrial bonds and industrial
development bonds), bonds, debentures, notes, mortgages or other
obligations, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other
instruments representing rights to receive, purchase, sell or
subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing any other
rights or interest therein, or any property or assets.
28. "Segregated Security Account" shall mean an
account maintained under the terms of this Agreement as a
segregated account, by recordation or otherwise, within the
custody account in which certain Securities and/or other assets
of the Fund shall be deposited and withdrawn from time to time
in accordance with Certificates received by the Custodian in
connection with such transactions as the Fund may from time to
time determine.
29. "Shares" shall mean the shares of beneficial
interest of the Fund, each of which, in the case of a Fund
having Series, is allocated to a particular Series.
30. "Stock Index Futures Contract" shall mean a
bilateral agreement pursuant to which the parties agree to take
or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified
dollar amount times the difference between the value of a
particular stock index at the close of the last business day of
the contract and the price at which the futures contract is
originally struck.
31. "Stock Index Option" shall mean an exchange
traded option entitling the holder, upon timely exercise, to
receive an amount of cash determined by reference to the
difference between the exercise price and the value of the index
on the date of exercise.
32. "Written Instructions" shall mean written
communications actually received by the Custodian from an
Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by the
Custodian to be an Authorized Person by telex or any other such
system whereby the receiver of such communications is able to
verify by codes or otherwise with a reasonable degree of
certainty the authenticity of the sender of such communication.
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN
1. The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints the
Custodian as custodian of all the Securities and moneys at any
time owned by the Fund during the period of this Agreement,
except that (a) if the Custodian fails to provide for the
custody of any of the Fund's Securities and moneys located or to
be located outside the United States in a manner satisfactory to
the Fund, the Fund shall be permitted to arrange for the custody
of such Securities and moneys located or to be located outside
the United States other than through the Custodian at rates to
be negotiated and borne by the Fund and (b) if the Custodian
fails to continue any existing sub-custodial or similar
arrangements on substantially the same terms as exist on the
date of this Agreement, the Fund shall be permitted to arrange
for such or similar services other than through the Custodian at
rates to be negotiated and borne by the Fund. The Custodian
shall not charge the Fund for any such terminated services after
the date of such termination.
2. The Custodian hereby accepts appointment as such
custodian and agrees to perform the duties thereof as
hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE III
CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES
1. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of
this Article and in Article VIII, the Fund will deliver or cause
to be delivered to the Custodian all Securities and all moneys
owned by it, including cash received for the issuance of its
shares, at any time during the period of this Agreement. The
Custodian will not be responsible for such Securities and such
moneys until actually received by it. The Custodian will be
entitled to reverse any credits made on the Fund's behalf where
such credits have been previously made and moneys are not
finally collected. The Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
certified resolution of the Trustees of the Fund approving,
authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a continuous and
on-going basis to deposit in the Book-Entry System all
Securities eligible for deposit therein and to utilize the
Book-Entry System to the extent possible in connection with its
performance hereunder, including, without limitation, in
connection with settlements of purchases and sales of
Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of
Securities collateral. Prior to a deposit of Securities of the
Fund in the Depository the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a
certified resolution of the Trustees of the Fund approving,
authorizing and instructing the Custodian on a continuous and
ongoing basis until instructed to the contrary by a Certificate
actually received by the Custodian to deposit in the Depository
all Securities eligible for deposit therein and to utilize the
Depository to the extent possible in connection with its
performance hereunder, including, without limitation, in
connection with settlements of purchases and sales of
Securities, loans of Securities, and deliveries and returns of
Securities collateral. Securities and moneys of the Fund
deposited in either the Book-Entry System or the Depository will
be represented in accounts which include only assets held by the
Custodian for customers, including, but not limited to, accounts
in which the Custodian acts in a fiduciary or representative
capacity. Prior to the Custodian's accepting, utilizing and
acting with respect to Clearing Member confirmations for Options
and transactions in Options as provided in this Agreement, the
Custodian shall have received a certified resolution of the
Fund's Board of Trustees approving, authorizing and instructing
the Custodian on a continuous and on-going basis, until
instructed to the contrary by a Certificate actually received by
the Custodian, to accept, utilize and act in accordance with
such confirmations as provided in this Agreement.
2. The Custodian shall credit to a separate account
in the name of the Fund all moneys received by it for the
account of the Fund, and shall disburse the same only:
(a) In payment for Securities purchased, as provided
in Article IV hereof;
(b) In payment of dividends or distributions, as
provided in Article XI hereof;
(c) In payment of original issue or other taxes, as
provided in Article XII hereof;
(d) In payment for Shares redeemed by it, as provided
in Article XII hereof;
(e) Pursuant to Certificates setting forth the name
and address of the person to whom the payment is to be made, and
the purpose for which payment is to be made; or
(f) In payment of the fees and in reimbursement of
the expenses and liabilities of the Custodian, as provided in
Article XV hereof.
3. Promptly after the close of business on each day,
the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with confirmations and a
summary of all transfers to or from the account of the Fund
during said day. Where Securities are transferred to the
account of the Fund, the Custodian shall also by book-entry or
otherwise identify as belonging to the Fund a quantity of
Securities in a fungible bulk of Securities registered in the
name of the Custodian (or its nominee) or shown on the
Custodian's account on the books of the Book-Entry System or the
Depository. At least monthly and from time to time, the
Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a detailed statement of
the Securities and moneys held for the Fund under this
Agreement.
4. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 of
this Article and in Article VIII, all Securities held for the
Fund, which are issued or issuable only in bearer form, except
such Securities as are held in the Book-Entry System, shall be
held by the Custodian in that form; all other Securities held
for the Fund may be registered in the name of the Fund, in the
name of any duly appointed registered nominee of the Custodian
as the Custodian may from time to time determine, or in the name
of the Book-Entry System or the Depository or their successor or
successors, or their nominee or nominees. The Fund agrees to
furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the
Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer, or to
register in the name of its registered nominee or in the name of
the Book-Entry System or the Depository, any Securities which it
may hold for the account of the Fund and which may from time to
time be registered in the name of the Fund. The Custodian shall
hold all such Securities which are not held in the Book-Entry
System or in the Depository in a separate account in the name of
the Fund physically segregated at all times from those of any
other person or persons.
5. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and
unless otherwise instructed to the contrary by a Certificate,
the Custodian by itself, or through the use of the Book-Entry
System or the Depository with respect to Securities therein
deposited, shall with respect to all Securities held for the
Fund in accordance with this Agreement:
(a) Collect all income due or payable and, in any
event, if the Custodian receives a written notice from the Fund
specifying that an amount of income should have been received by
the Custodian within the last 90 days, the Custodian will
provide a conditional payment of income within 60 days from the
date the Custodian received such notice, unless the Custodian
reasonably concludes that such income was not due or payable to
the Fund, provided that the Custodian may reverse any such
conditional payment upon its reasonably concluding that all or
any portion of such income was not due or payable, and provided
further that the Custodian shall not be liable for failing to
collect on a timely basis the full amount of income due or
payable in respect of a "floating rate instrument" or "variable
rate instrument" (as such terms are defined under Rule 2a-7
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) if it has
acted in good faith, without negligence or willful misconduct.
(b) Present for payment and collect the amount
payable upon such Securities which are called, but only if
either (i) the Custodian receives a written notice of such call,
or (ii) notice of such call appears in one or more of the
publications listed in Appendix C annexed hereto, which may be
amended at any time by the Custodian upon five business days'
prior notification to the Fund;
(c) Present for payment and collect the amount
payable upon all Securities which may mature;
(d) Surrender Securities in temporary form for
definitive Securities;
(e) Execute, as Custodian, any necessary declarations
or certificates of ownership under the Federal Income Tax Laws
or the laws or regulations of any other taxing authority now or
hereafter in effect; and
(f) Hold directly, or through the Book-Entry System
or the Depository with respect to Securities therein deposited,
for the account of the Fund all rights and similar securities
issued with respect to any Securities held by the Custodian
hereunder.
6. Upon receipt of a Certificate and not otherwise,
the Custodian, directly or through the use of the Book-Entry
System or the Depository, shall:
(a) Execute and deliver to such persons as may be
designated in such Certificate proxies, consents,
authorizations, and any other instruments whereby the authority
of the Fund as owner of any Securities may be exercised;
(b) Deliver any Securities held for the Fund in
exchange for other Securities or cash issued or paid in
connection with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing,
merger, consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation, or
the exercise of any conversion privilege;
(c) Deliver any Securities held for the Fund to any
protective committee, reorganization committee or other person
in connection with the reorganization, refinancing, merger,
consolidation, recapitalization or sale of assets of any
corporation, and receive and hold under the terms of this
Agreement such certificates of deposit, interim receipts or
other instruments or documents as may be issued to it to
evidence such delivery;
(d) Make such transfers or exchanges of the assets of
the Fund and take such other steps as shall be stated in said
order to be for the purpose of effectuating any duly authorized
plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or
recapitalization of the Fund; and
(e) Present for payment and collect the amount
payable upon Securities not described in preceding paragraph
5(b) of this Article which may be called as specified in the
Certificate.
7. Notwithstanding any provision elsewhere contained
herein, the Custodian shall not be required to obtain possession
of any instrument or certificate representing any Futures
Contract, Option or Futures Contract Option until after it shall
have determined, or shall have received a Certificate from the
Fund stating, that any such instruments or certificates are
available. The Fund shall deliver to the Custodian such a
Certificate no later than the business day preceding the
availability of any such instrument or certificate. Prior to
such availability, the Custodian shall comply with Section 17(f)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, in connection
with the purchase, sale, settlement, closing out or writing of
Futures Contracts, Options or Futures Contract Options by making
payments or deliveries specified in Certificates received by the
Custodian in connection with any such purchase, sale, writing,
settlement or closing out upon its receipt from a broker, dealer
or futures commission merchant of a statement or confirmation
reasonably believed by the Custodian to be in the form
customarily used by brokers, dealers, or futures commission
merchants with respect to such Futures Contracts, Options or
Futures Contract Options, as the case may be, confirming that
such Security is held by such broker, dealer or futures
commission merchant, in book-entry form or otherwise, in the
name of the Custodian (or any nominee of the Custodian) as
custodian for the Fund, provided, however, that payments to or
deliveries from the Margin Account shall be made in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
Whenever any such instruments or certificates are available, the
Custodian shall, notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement
to the contrary, make payment for any Futures Contract, Option
or Futures Contract Option for which such instruments or such
certificates are available only against the delivery to the
Custodian of such instrument or such certificate, and deliver
any Futures Contract, Option or Futures Contract Option for
which such instruments or such certificates are available only
against receipt by the Custodian of payment therefor. Any such
instrument or certificate delivered to the Custodian shall be
held by the Custodian hereunder in accordance with, and subject
to, the provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND OTHER THAN OPTIONS,
FUTURES CONTRACTS, FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS AND REVERSE
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
1. Promptly after each purchase of Securities by the
Fund, other than a purchase of any Option, Futures Contract,
Futures Contract Option or Reverse Repurchase Agreement, the
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each
purchase of Securities which are not Money Market Securities, a
Certificate, and (ii) with respect to each purchase of Money
Market Securities, a Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions, specifying with respect to each such purchase:
(a) the name of the issuer and the title of the Securities;
(b) the number of shares or the principal amount purchased and
accrued interest, if any; (c) the date of purchase and
settlement; (d) the purchase price per unit; (e) the total
amount payable upon such purchase; (f) the name of the person
from whom or the broker through whom the purchase was made, and
the name of the clearing broker, if any; and (g) the name of the
broker to which payment is to be made. The Custodian shall,
upon receipt of Securities purchased by or for the Fund, pay out
of the moneys held for the account of the Fund the total amount
payable to the person from whom, or the broker through whom, the
purchase was made, provided that the same conforms to the total
amount payable as set forth in such Certificate, Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions.
2. Promptly after each sale of Securities by the
Fund, other than a sale of any Option, Futures Contract, Futures
Contract Option or Reverse Repurchase Agreement, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each sale of
Securities which are not Money Market Securities, a Certificate,
and (ii) with respect to each sale of Money Market Securities, a
Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions,
specifying with respect to each such sale: (a) the name of the
issuer and the title of the Security; (b) the number of shares
or principal amount sold, and accrued interest, if any; (c) the
date of sale; (d) the sale price per unit; (e) the total amount
payable to the Fund upon such sale; (f) the name of the broker
through whom or the person to whom the sale was made, and the
name of the clearing broker, if any; and (g) the name of the
broker to whom the Securities are to be delivered. The
Custodian shall deliver the Securities upon receipt of the total
amount payable to the Fund upon such sale, provided that the
same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such
Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions. Subject
to the foregoing, the Custodian may accept payment in such form
as shall be satisfactory to it, and may deliver Securities and
arrange for payment in accordance with the customs prevailing
among dealers in Securities.
ARTICLE V
OPTIONS
1. Promptly after the purchase of any Option by the
Fund, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to each Option purchased: (a) the type
of Option (put or call); (b) the name of the issuer and the
title and number of shares subject to such Option or, in the
case of a Stock Index Option, the stock index to which such
Option relates and the number of Stock Index Options purchased;
(c) the expiration date; (d) the exercise price; (e) the dates
of purchase and settlement; (f) the total amount payable by the
Fund in connection with such purchase; (g) the name of the
Clearing Member through which such Option was purchased; and
(h) the name of the broker to whom payment is to be made. The
Custodian shall pay, upon receipt of a Clearing Member's
statement confirming the purchase of such Option held by such
Clearing Member for the account of the Custodian (or any duly
appointed and registered nominee of the Custodian) as custodian
for the Fund, out of moneys held for the account of the Fund,
the total amount payable upon such purchase to the Clearing
Member through whom the purchase was made, provided that the
same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such
Certificate.
2. Promptly after the sale of any Option purchased by
the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver
to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each
such sale: (a) the type of Option (put or call); (b) the name
of the issuer and the title and number of shares subject to such
Option or, in the case of a Stock Index Option, the stock index
to which such Option relates and the number of Stock Index
Options sold; (c) the date of sale; (d) the sale price; (e) the
date of settlement; (f) the total amount payable to the Fund
upon such sale; and (g) the name of the Clearing Member through
which the sale was made. The Custodian shall consent to the
delivery of the Option sold by the Clearing Member which
previously supplied the confirmation described in preceding
paragraph 1 of this Article with respect to such Option against
payment to the Custodian of the total amount payable to the
Fund, provided that the same conforms to the total amount
payable as set forth in such Certificate.
3. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any
Call Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph l
hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to such Call Option: (a) the name of
the issuer and the title and number of shares subject to the
Call Option; (b) the expiration date; (c) the date of exercise
and settlement; (d) the exercise price per share; (e) the total
amount to be paid by the Fund upon such exercise; and (f) the
name of the Clearing Member through which such Call Option was
exercised. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the Securities
underlying the Call Option which was exercised, pay out of the
moneys held for the account of the Fund the total amount payable
to the Clearing Member through whom the Call Option was
exercised, provided that the same conforms to the total amount
payable as set forth in such Certificate.
4. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Put
Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying
with respect to such Put Option: (a) the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares subject to the Put Option;
(b) the expiration date; (c) the date of exercise and
settlement; (d) the exercise price per share; (e) the total
amount to be paid to the Fund upon such exercise; and (f) the
name of the Clearing Member through which such Put Option was
exercised. The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the amount
payable upon the exercise of the Put Option, deliver or direct
the Depository to deliver the Securities, provided the same
conforms to the amount payable to the Fund as set forth in such
Certificate.
5. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any
Stock Index Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1
hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to such Stock Index Option: (a) the
type of Stock Index Option (put or call); (b) the number of
Options being exercised; (c) the stock index to which such
Option relates; (d) the expiration date; (e) the exercise price;
(f) the total amount to be received by the Fund in connection
with such exercise; and (g) the Clearing Member from which such
payment is to be received.
6. Whenever the Fund writes a Covered Call Option,
the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to such Covered Call Option: (a) the
name of the issuer and the title and number of shares for which
the Covered Call Option was written and which underlie the same;
(b) the expiration date; (c) the exercise price; (d) the premium
to be received by the Fund; (e) the date such Covered Call
Option was written; and (f) the name of the Clearing Member
through which the premium is to be received. The Custodian
shall deliver or cause to be delivered, in exchange for receipt
of the premium specified in the Certificate with respect to such
Covered Call Option, such receipts as are required in accordance
with the customs prevailing among Clearing Members dealing in
Covered Call Options and shall impose, or direct the Depository
to impose, upon the underlying Securities specified in the
Certificate such restrictions as may be required by such
receipts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian has the
right, upon prior written notification to the Fund, at any time
to refuse to issue any receipts for Securities in the possession
of the Custodian and not deposited with the Depository
underlying a Covered Call Option.
7. Whenever a Covered Call Option written by the Fund
and described in the preceding paragraph of this Article is
exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate instructing the Custodian to deliver, or to direct
the Depository to deliver, the Securities subject to such
Covered Call Option and specifying: (a) the name of the issuer
and the title and number of shares subject to the Covered Call
Option; (b) the Clearing Member to whom the underlying
Securities are to be delivered; and (c) the total amount payable
to the Fund upon such delivery. Upon the return and/or
cancellation of any receipts delivered pursuant to paragraph 6
of this Article, the Custodian shall deliver, or direct the
Depository to deliver, the underlying Securities as specified in
the Certificate for the amount to be received as set forth in
such Certificate.
8. Whenever the Fund writes a Put Option, the Fund
shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying
with respect to such Put Option: (a) the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares for which the Put Option is
written and which underlie the same; (b) the expiration date;
(c) the exercise price; (d) the premium to be received by the
Fund; (e) the date such Put Option is written; (f) the name of
the Clearing Member through which the premium is to be received
and to whom a Put Option guarantee letter is to be delivered;
(g) the amount of cash, and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be deposited in the Segregated Security
Account; and (h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind
of Securities to be deposited into the Collateral Account. The
Custodian shall, after making the deposits into the Collateral
Account specified in the Certificate, issue a Put Option
guarantee letter substantially in the form utilized by the
Custodian on the date hereof, and deliver the same to the
Clearing Member specified in the Certificate against receipt of
the premium specified in said Certificate. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to issue
any Put Option guarantee letter or similar document if it is
unable to make any of the representations contained therein.
9. Whenever a Put Option written by the Fund and
described in the preceding paragraph is exercised, the Fund
shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying: (a) the name of the issuer and title and number of
shares subject to the Put Option; (b) the Clearing Member from
which the underlying Securities are to be received; (c) the
total amount payable by the Fund upon such delivery; (d) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities to be
withdrawn from the Collateral Account; and (e) the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be
withdrawn from the Segregated Security Account. Upon the return
and/or cancellation of any Put Option guarantee letter or
similar document issued by the Custodian in connection with such
Put Option, the Custodian shall pay out of the moneys held for
the account of the Fund the total amount payable to the Clearing
Member specified in the Certificate as set forth in such
Certificate, and shall make the withdrawals specified in such
Certificate.
10. Whenever the Fund writes a Stock Index Option,
the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to such Stock Index Option: (a) whether
such Stock Index Option is a put or a call; (b) the number of
Options written; (c) the stock index to which such Option
relates; (d) the expiration date; (e) the exercise price;
(f) the Clearing Member through which such Option was written;
(g) the premium to be received by the Fund; (h) the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be
deposited in the Segregated Security Account; (i) the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be
deposited in the Collateral Account; and (j) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be
deposited in a Margin Account, and the name in which such
account is to be or has been established. The Custodian shall,
upon receipt of the premium specified in the Certificate, make
the deposits, if any, into the Segregated Security Account
specified in the Certificate, and either (1) deliver such
receipts, if any, which the Custodian has specifically agreed to
issue, which are in accordance with the customs prevailing among
Clearing Members in Stock Index Options and make the deposits
into the Collateral Account specified in the Certificate, or (2)
make the deposits into the Margin Account specified in the
Certificate.
11. Whenever a Stock Index Option written by the Fund
and described in the preceding paragraph of this Article is
exercised, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to such Stock Index Option:
(a) such information as may be necessary to identify the Stock
Index Option being exercised; (b) the Clearing Member through
which such Stock Index Option is being exercised; (c) the total
amount payable upon such exercise, and whether such amount is to
be paid by or to the Fund; (d) the amount of cash and/or amount
and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Margin
Account; and (e) the amount of cash and/or amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Segregated Security
Account and the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral Account.
Upon the return and/or cancellation of the receipt, if any,
delivered pursuant to the preceding paragraph of this Article,
the Custodian shall pay to the Clearing Member specified in the
Certificate the total amount payable, if any, as specified
therein.
12. Whenever the Fund purchases any Option identical
to a previously written Option described in paragraphs 6, 8 or
10 of this Article in a transaction expressly designated as a
"Closing Purchase Transaction" in order to liquidate its
position as a writer of an Option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect
to the Option being purchased: (a) that the transaction is a
Closing Purchase Transaction; (b) the name of the issuer and the
title and number of shares subject to the Option, or, in the
case of a Stock Index Option, the stock index to which such
Option relates and the number of Options held; (c) the exercise
price; (d) the premium to be paid by the Fund; (e) the
expiration date; (f) the type of Option (put or call); (g) the
date of such purchase; (h) the name of the Clearing Member to
which the premium is to be paid; and (i) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be
withdrawn from the Collateral Account, a specified Margin
Account or the Segregated Security Account. Upon the
Custodian's payment of the premium and the return and/or
cancellation of any receipt issued pursuant to paragraphs 6, 8
or 10 of this Article with respect to the Option being
liquidated through the Closing Purchase Transaction, the
Custodian shall remove, or direct the Depository to remove, the
previously imposed restrictions on the Securities underlying the
Call Option.
13. Upon the expiration or exercise of, or
consummation of a Closing Purchase Transaction with respect to,
any Option purchased or written by the Fund and described in
this Article, the Custodian shall delete such Option from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of
Article III herein, and upon the return and/or cancellation of
any receipts issued by the Custodian, shall make such
withdrawals from the Collateral Account, the Margin Account
and/or the Segregated Security Account as may be specified in a
Certificate received in connection with such expiration,
exercise, or consummation.
ARTICLE VI
FUTURES CONTRACTS
1. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures
Contract, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to such Futures Contract (or with
respect to any number of identical Futures Contract(s)):
(a) the category of Futures Contract (the name of the underlying
stock index or financial instrument); (b) the number of
identical Futures Contracts entered into; (c) the delivery or
settlement date of the Futures Contract(s); (d) the date the
Futures Contract(s) was (were) entered into and the maturity
date; (e) whether the Fund is buying (going long) or selling
(going short) on such Futures Contract(s); (f) the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be
deposited in the Segregated Security Account; (g) the name of
the broker, dealer or futures commission merchant through which
the Futures Contract was entered into; and (h) the amount of fee
or commission, if any, to be paid and the name of the broker,
dealer or futures commission merchant to whom such amount is to
be paid. The Custodian shall make the deposits, if any, to the
Margin Account in accordance with the terms and conditions of
the Margin Account Agreement. The Custodian shall make payment
of the fee or commission, if any, specified in the Certificate
and deposit in the Segregated Security Account the amount of
cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities specified in said
Certificate.
2. (a) Any variation margin payment or similar
payment required to be made by the Fund to a broker, dealer or
futures commission merchant with respect to an outstanding
Futures Contract shall be made by the Custodian in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
(b) Any variation margin payment or similar
payment from a broker, dealer or futures commission merchant to
the Fund with respect to an outstanding Futures Contract shall
be received and dealt with by the Custodian in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract held by the Custodian
hereunder is retained by the Fund until delivery or settlement
is made on such Futures Contract, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Futures Contract;
(b) with respect to a Stock Index Futures Contract, the total
cash settlement amount to be paid or received, and with respect
to a Financial Futures Contract, the Securities and/or amount of
cash to be delivered or received; (c) the broker, dealer or
futures commission merchant to or from which payment or delivery
is to be made or received; and (d) the amount of cash and/or
Securities to be withdrawn from the Segregated Security Account.
The Custodian shall make the payment or delivery specified in
the Certificate and delete such Futures Contract from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of
Article III herein.
4. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures
Contract to offset a Futures Contract held by the Custodian
hereunder, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying: (a) the items of information required in a
Certificate described in paragraph 1 of this Article, and
(b) the Futures Contract being offset. The Custodian shall make
payment of the fee or commission, if any, specified in the
Certificate and delete the Futures Contract being offset from
the statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of
Article III herein, and make such withdrawals from the
Segregated Security Account as may be specified in such
Certificate. The withdrawals, if any, to be made from the
Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS
1. Promptly after the purchase of any Futures
Contract Option by the Fund, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to such Futures
Contract Option: (a) the type of Futures Contract Option (put
or call); (b) the type of Futures Contract and such other
information as may be necessary to identify the Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option purchased; (c) the
expiration date; (d) the exercise price; (e) the dates of
purchase and settlement; (f) the amount of premium to be paid by
the Fund upon such purchase; (g) the name of the broker or
futures commission merchant through which such option was
purchased; and (h) the name of the broker or futures commission
merchant to whom payment is to be made. The Custodian shall pay
the total amount to be paid upon such purchase to the broker or
futures commission merchant through whom the purchase was made,
provided that the same conforms to the amount set forth in such
Certificate.
2. Promptly after the sale of any Futures Contract
Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the
Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to each such sale: (a) the type of
Futures Contract Option (put or call); (b) the type of Futures
Contract and such other information as may be necessary to
identify the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract
Option; (c) the date of sale; (d) the sale price; (e) the date
of settlement; (f) the total amount payable to the Fund upon
such sale; and (g) the name of the broker or futures commission
merchant through which the sale was made. The Custodian shall
consent to the cancellation of the Futures Contract Option being
closed against payment to the Custodian of the total amount
payable to the Fund, provided the same conforms to the total
amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.
3. Whenever a Futures Contract Option purchased by
the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 is exercised by the Fund, the
Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying: (a) the particular Futures Contract Option (put or
call) being exercised; (b) the type of Futures Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option; (c) the date of
exercise; (d) the name of the broker or futures commission
merchant through which the Futures Contract Option is exercised;
(e) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund; (f) the
amount, if any, to be received by the Fund; and (g) the amount
of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities to be deposited
in the Segregated Security Account. The Custodian shall make
the payments, if any, and the deposits, if any, into the
Segregated Security Account as specified in the Certificate.
The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall be
made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
4. Whenever the Fund writes a Futures Contract
Option, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to such Futures Contract
Option: (a) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call);
(b) the type of Futures Contract and such other information as
may be necessary to identify the Futures Contract underlying the
Futures Contract Option; (c) the expiration date; (d) the
exercise price; (e) the premium to be received by the Fund;
(f) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant
through which the premium is to be received; and (g) the amount
of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be
deposited in the Segregated Security Account. The Custodian
shall, upon receipt of the premium specified in the Certificate,
make the deposits into the Segregated Security Account, if any,
as specified in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be
made to the Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.
5. Whenever a Futures Contract Option written by the
Fund which is a call is exercised, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the
particular Futures Contract Option exercised; (b) the type of
Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (c) the
name of the broker or futures commission merchant through which
such Futures Contract Option was exercised; (d) the net total
amount, if any, payable to the Fund upon such exercise; (e) the
net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund upon such
exercise; and (f) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind
of Securities to be deposited in the Segregated Security
Account. The Custodian shall, upon its receipt of the net total
amount payable to the Fund, if any, specified in such
Certificate make the payments, if any, and the deposits, if any,
into the Segregated Security Account as specified in the
Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin
Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
6. Whenever a Futures Contract Option which is
written by the Fund and which is a Put Option is exercised, the
Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying: (a) the particular Futures Contract Option
exercised; (b) the type of Futures Contract underlying such
Futures Contract Option; (c) the name of the broker or futures
commission merchant through which such Futures Contract Option
is exercised; (d) the net total amount, if any, payable to the
Fund upon such exercise; (e) the net total amount, if any,
payable by the Fund upon such exercise; and (f) the amount and
kind of Securities and/or cash to be withdrawn from or deposited
in the Segregated Security Account, if any. The Custodian
shall, upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the
Fund, if any, specified in the Certificate, make the payments,
if any, and the deposits, if any, into the Segregated Security
Account as specified in the Certificate. The deposits to and/or
withdrawals from the Margin Account, if any, shall be made by
the Custodian in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Margin Account Agreement.
7. Whenever the Fund purchases any Futures Contract
Option identical to a previously written Futures Contract Option
described in this Article in order to liquidate its position as
a writer of such Futures Contract Option, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with
respect to the Futures Contract Option being purchased:
(a) that the transaction is a closing transaction; (b) the type
of Futures Contract and such other information as may be
necessary to identify the Futures Contract underlying the
Futures Contract Option; (c) the exercise price; (d) the premium
to be paid by the Fund; (e) the expiration date; (f) the name of
the broker or futures commission merchant to which the premium
is to be paid; and (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and
kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the segregated
Security Account. The Custodian shall effect the withdrawals
from the Segregated Security Account specified in the
Certificate. The withdrawals, if any, to be made from the
Margin Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
8. Upon the expiration or exercise of, or
consummation of a closing transaction with respect to, any
Futures Contract Option written or purchased by the Fund and
described in this Article, the Custodian shall (a) delete such
Futures Contract Option from the statements delivered to the
Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article III herein, and (b) make
such withdrawals from, and/or, in the case of an exercise, such
deposits into, the Segregated Security Account as may be
specified in a Certificate. The deposits to and/or withdrawals
from the Margin Account, if any, shall be made by the Custodian
in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.
9. Futures Contracts acquired by the Fund through the
exercise of a Futures Contract Option described in this Article
shall be subject to Article VI hereof.
ARTICLE VIII
SHORT SALES
1. Promptly after any short sale, the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the name
of the issuer and the title of the Security; (b) the number of
shares or principal amount sold, and accrued interest or
dividends, if any; (c) the dates of the sale and settlement;
(d) the sale price per unit; (e) the total amount credited to
the Fund upon such sales, if any; (f) the amount of cash and/or
the amount and kind of Securities, if any, which are to be
deposited in a Margin Account and the name in which such Margin
Account has been or is to be established; (g) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be
deposited in a Segregated Security Account; and (h) the name of
the broker through which such short sale was made. The
Custodian shall upon its receipt of a statement from such broker
confirming such sale and that the total amount credited to the
Fund upon such sale, if any, as specified in the Certificate is
held by such broker for the account of the Custodian (or any
nominee of the Custodian) as custodian of the Fund, issue a
receipt or make the deposits into the Margin Account and the
Segregated Security Account specified in the Certificate.
2. In connection with the closing-out of any short
sale, the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to each such closing-out:
(a) the name of the issuer and the title of the Security;
(b) the number of shares or the principal amount, and accrued
interest or dividends, if any, required to effect such
closing-out to be delivered to the broker; (c) the dates of the
closing-out and settlement; (d) the purchase price per unit;
(e) the net total amount payable to the Fund upon such
closing-out; (f) the net total amount payable to the broker upon
such closing-out; (g) the amount of cash and the amount and kind
of Securities to be withdrawn, if any, from the Margin Account;
(h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
if any, to be withdrawn from the Segregated Security Account;
and (i) the name of the broker through which the Fund is
effecting such closing-out. The Custodian shall, upon receipt
of the net total amount payable to the Fund upon such
closing-out and the return and/or cancellation of the receipts,
if any, issued by the custodian with respect to the short sale
being closed-out, pay out of the moneys held for the account of
the Fund to the broker the net total amount payable to the
broker, and make the withdrawals from the Margin Account and the
Segregated Security Account, as the same are specified in the
Certificate.
ARTICLE IX
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
1. Promptly after the Fund enters into a Reverse
Repurchase Agreement with respect to Securities and money held
by the Custodian hereunder, the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate or in the event such Reverse Repurchase
Agreement is a Money Market Security, a Certificate, Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions specifying: (a) the total
amount payable to the Fund in connection with such Reverse
Repurchase Agreement; (b) the broker or dealer through or with
which the Reverse Repurchase Agreement is entered; (c) the
amount and kind of Securities to be delivered by the Fund to
such broker or dealer; (d) the date of such Reverse Repurchase
Agreement; and (e) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind
of Securities, if any, to be deposited in a segregated Security
Account in connection with such Reverse Repurchase Agreement.
The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the total amount payable to
the Fund specified in the Certificate, Oral Instructions or
Written Instructions make the delivery to the broker or dealer,
and the deposits, if any, to the Segregated Security Account,
specified in such Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions.
2. Upon the termination of a Reverse Repurchase
Agreement described in paragraph 1 of this Article, the Fund
shall promptly deliver a Certificate or, in the event such
Reverse Repurchase Agreement is a Money Market Security, a
Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions to the
Custodian specifying: (a) the Reverse Repurchase Agreement
being terminated; (b) the total amount payable by the Fund in
connection with such termination; (c) the amount and kind of
Securities to be received by the Fund in connection with such
termination; (d) the date of termination; (e) the name of the
broker or dealer with or through which the Reverse Repurchase
Agreement is to be terminated; and (f) the amount of cash and/or
the amount and kind of Securities to be withdrawn from the
Segregated Security Account. The Custodian shall, upon receipt
of the amount and kind of Securities to be received by the Fund
specified in the Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written
InstructionS, make the payment to the broker or dealer, and the
withdrawals, if any, from the segregated Security Account,
specified in such Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions.
ARTICLE X
CONCERNING MARGIN ACCOUNTS, SEGREGATED SECURITY
ACCOUNTS AND COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS
1. The Custodian shall, from time to time, make such
deposits to, or withdrawals from, a Segregated Security Account
as specified in a Certificate received by the Custodian. Such
Certificate shall specify the amount of cash and/or the amount
and kind of Securities to be deposited in, or withdrawn from,
the Segregated Security Account. In the event that the Fund
fails to specify in a Certificate the name of the issuer, the
title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any
particular Securities to be deposited by the Custodian into, or
withdrawn from, a segregated Securities Account, the Custodian
shall be under no obligation to make any such deposit or
withdrawal and shall so notify the Fund.
2. The Custodian shall make deliveries or payments
from a Margin Account to the broker, dealer, futures commission
merchant or Clearing Member in whose name, or for whose benefit,
the account was established as specified in the Margin Account
Agreement.
3. Amounts received by the Custodian as payments or
distributions with respect to Securities deposited in any Margin
Account shall be dealt with in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.
4. The Custodian shall have a continuing lien and
security interest in and to any property at any time held by the
Custodian in any Collateral Account described herein. In
accordance with applicable law, the Custodian may enforce its
lien and realize on any such property whenever the Custodian has
made payment or delivery pursuant to any Put Option guarantee
letter or similar document or any receipt issued hereunder by
the Custodian. In the event the Custodian should realize on any
such property net proceeds which are less than the Custodian's
obligations under any Put Option guarantee letter or similar
document or any receipt, such deficiency shall be a debt owed
the Custodian by the Fund within the scope of Article XIII
herein.
5. On each business day, the Custodian shall furnish
the Fund with a statement with respect to each Margin Account in
which money or Securities are held specifying as of the close of
business on the previous business day: (a) the name of the
Margin Account; (b) the amount and kind of Securities held
therein; and (c) the amount of money held therein. The
Custodian shall make available upon request to any broker,
dealer or futures commission merchant specified in the name of a
Margin Account a copy of the statement furnished the Fund with
respect to such Margin Account.
6. Promptly after the close of business on each
business day in which cash and/or Securities are maintained in a
Collateral Account, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund with a
Statement with respect to such Collateral Account specifying the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities held
therein. No later than the close of business next succeeding
the delivery to the Fund of such statement, the Fund shall
furnish to the Custodian a Certificate or Written Instructions
specifying the then market value of the securities described in
such statement. In the event such then market value is indicated
to be less than the Custodian's obligation with respect to any
outstanding Put Option, guarantee letter or similar document,
the Fund shall promptly specify in a Certificate the additional
cash and/or Securities to be deposited in such Collateral
Account to eliminate such deficiency.
ARTICLE XI
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS
1. The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a copy of
the resolution of the Trustees, certified by the Secretary or
any Assistant Secretary, either (i) setting forth the date of
the declaration of a dividend or distribution, the date of
payment thereof, the record date as of which shareholders
entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per
share to the shareholders of record as of that date and the
total amount payable to the Dividend Agent of the Fund on the
payment date, or (ii) authorizing the declaration of dividends
and distributions on a daily basis and authorizing the Custodian
to rely on Oral Instructions, Written Instructions or a
Certificate setting forth the date of the declaration of such
dividend or distribution, the date of payment thereof, the
record date as of which shareholders entitled to payment shall
be determined, the amount payable per share to the shareholders
of record as of that date and the total amount payable to the
Dividend Agent on the payment date.
2. Upon the payment date specified in such
resolution, Oral Instructions, Written Instructions or
Certificate, as the case may be, the Custodian shall pay out of
the moneys held for the account of the Fund the total amount
payable to the Dividend Agent of the Fund.
ARTICLE XII
SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
1. Whenever the Fund shall sell any of its Shares, it
shall deliver to the Custodian a Certificate duly specifying:
(a) The number of Shares sold, trade date, and price;
and
(b) The amount of money to be received by the
Custodian for the sale of such Shares.
2. Upon receipt of such money from the Transfer
Agent, the Custodian shall credit such money to the account of
the Fund.
3. Upon issuance of any of the Fund's Shares in
accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Article, the
Custodian shall pay, out of the money held for the account of
the Fund, all original issue or other taxes required to be paid
by the Fund in connection with such issuance upon the receipt of
a Certificate specifying the amount to be paid.
4. Except as provided hereinafter, whenever the Fund
shall hereafter redeem any of its Shares, it shall furnish to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying:
(a) The number of Shares redeemed; and
(b) The amount to be paid for the Shares redeemed.
5. Upon receipt from the Transfer Agent of an advice
setting forth the number of Shares received by the Transfer
Agent for redemption and that such Shares are valid and in good
form for redemption, the Custodian shall make payment to the
Transfer Agent out of the moneys held for the account of the
Fund of the total amount specified in the Certificate issued
pursuant to the foregoing paragraph 4 of this Article.
6. Notwithstanding the above provisions regarding the
redemption of any of the Fund's Shares, whenever its Shares are
redeemed pursuant to any check redemption privilege which may
from time to time be offered by the Fund, the Custodian, unless
otherwise instructed by a Certificate, shall, upon receipt of an
advice from the Fund or its agent setting forth that the
redemption is in good form for redemption in accordance with the
check redemption procedure, honor the check presented as part of
such check redemption privilege out of the money held in the
account of the Fund for such purposes.
ARTICLE XIII
OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS
1. If the Custodian should in its sole discretion
advance funds on behalf of the Fund which results in an
overdraft because the moneys held by the Custodian for the
account of the Fund shall be insufficient to pay the total
amount payable upon a purchase of Securities as set forth in a
Certificate or Oral Instructions issued pursuant to Article IV,
or which results in an overdraft for some other reason, or if
the Fund is for any other reason indebted to the Custodian
(except a borrowing for investment or for temporary or emergency
purposes using Securities as collateral pursuant to a separate
agreement and subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of this
Article XIII), such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to
be a loan made by the Custodian to the Fund payable on demand
and shall bear interest from the date incurred at a rate per
annum (based on a 360-day year for the actual number of days
involved) equal to the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2%, such rate
to be adjusted on the effective date of any change in such
Federal Funds Rate but in no event to be less than 6% per annum,
except that any overdraft resulting from an error by the
Custodian shall bear no interest. Any such overdraft or
indebtedness shall be reduced by an amount equal to the total of
all amounts due the Fund which have not been collected by the
Custodian on behalf of the Fund when due because of the failure
of the Custodian to make timely demand or presentment for
payment. In addition, the Fund hereby agrees that the Custodian
shall have a continuing lien and security interest in and to any
property at any time held by it for the benefit of the Fund or
in which the Fund may have an interest which is then in the
Custodian's possession or control or in possession or control of
any third party acting in the Custodian's behalf. The Fund
authorizes the Custodian, in its sole discretion, at any time to
charge any such overdraft or indebtedness together with interest
due thereon against any balance of account standing to the
Fund's credit on the Custodian's books. For purposes of this
Section l of Article XIII, "overdraft" shall mean a negative
Available Balance.
2. The Fund will cause to be delivered to the
Custodian by any bank (including, if the borrowing is pursuant
to a separate agreement, the Custodian) from which it borrows
money for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes
using Securities as collateral for such borrowings, a notice or
undertaking in the form currently employed by any such bank
setting forth the amount which such bank will loan to the Fund
against delivery of a stated amount of collateral. The Fund
shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying
with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the name of the bank;
(b) the amount and terms of the borrowing, which may be set
forth by incorporating by reference an attached promissory note,
duly endorsed by the Fund, or other loan agreement; (c) the time
and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into; (d)
the date on which the loan becomes due and payable; (e) the
total amount payable to the Fund on the borrowing date; (f) the
market value of Securities to be delivered as collateral for
such loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the
number of shares or the principal amount of any particular
Securities; and (g) a statement specifying whether such loan is
for investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes
and that such loan is in conformance with the Investment Company
Act of 1940 and the Fund's prospectus. The Custodian shall
deliver on the borrowing date specified in a Certificate the
specified collateral and the executed promissory note, if any,
against delivery by the lending bank of the total amount of the
loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total
amount payable as set forth in the Certificate. The Custodian
may, at the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in
its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all
rights therein given the lending bank by virtue of any
promissory note or loan agreement. The Custodian shall deliver
such Securities as additional collateral as may be specified in
a Certificate to collateralize further any transaction described
in this paragraph. The Fund shall cause all Securities released
from collateral status to be returned directly to the Custodian,
and the Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of
collateral as may be tendered to it. In the event that the Fund
fails to specify in a Certificate the name of the issuer, the
title and number of shares or the principal amount of any
particular Securities to be delivered as collateral by the
Custodian, the Custodian shall not be under any obligation to
deliver any Securities.
ARTICLE XIV
LOAN OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES OF THE FUND
1. If the Fund is permitted by the terms of its
Declaration of Trust and as disclosed in its most recent and
currently effective prospectus to lend its portfolio Securities,
within 24 hours after each loan of portfolio Securities the Fund
shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian a
Certificate specifying with respect to each such loan: (a) the
name of the issuer and the title of the Securities; (b) the
number of shares or the principal amount loaned; (c) the date of
loan and delivery; (d) the total amount to be delivered to the
Custodian against the loan of the Securities, including the
amount of cash collateral and the premium, if any, separately
identified; and (e) the name of the broker, dealer or financial
institution to which the loan was made. The Custodian shall
deliver the Securities thus designated to the broker, dealer or
financial institution to which the loan was made upon receipt of
the total amount designated as to be delivered against the loan
of Securities. The Custodian may accept payment in connection
with a delivery otherwise than through the Book-Entry System or
Depository only in the form of a certified or bank cashier's
check payable to the order of the Fund or the Custodian drawn on
New York Clearing House funds and may deliver Securities in
accordance with the customs prevailing among dealers in
securities.
2. Promptly after each termination of the loan of
Securities by the Fund, the Fund shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect
to each such loan termination and return of Securities: (a) the
name of the issuer and the title of the Securities to be
returned; (b) the number of shares or the principal amount to be
returned; (c) the date of termination; (d) the total amount to
be delivered by the Custodian (including the cash collateral for
such Securities minus any offsetting credits as described in
said Certificate); and (e) the name of the broker, dealer or
financial institution from which the Securities will be
returned. The Custodian shall receive all Securities returned
from the broker, dealer, or financial institution to which such
Securities were loaned and upon receipt thereof shall pay, out
of the moneys held for the account of the Fund, the total amount
payable upon such return of Securities as set forth in the
Certificate.
ARTICLE XV
CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN
1. Except as hereinafter provided, neither the
Custodian nor its nominee shall be liable for any loss or
damage, including counsel fees, resulting from its action or
omission to act or otherwise, either hereunder or under any
Margin Account Agreement, except for any such loss or damage
arising out of its own negligence or willful misconduct. The
Custodian may, with respect to questions of law arising
hereunder or under any Margin Account Agreement, apply for and
obtain the advice and opinion of counsel to the Fund or of its
own counsel, at the expense of the Fund, and shall be fully
protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good
faith in conformity with such advice or opinion. The Custodian
shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage resulting
from the use of the Book-Entry System or any Depository arising
by reason of any negligence, misfeasance or willful misconduct
on the part of the Custodian or any of its employees or agents.
2. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Custodian shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and
shall not be liable for:
(a) The validity of the issue of any Securities
purchased, sold or written by or for the Fund, the legality of
the purchase, sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the
amount paid or received therefor;
(b) The legality of the issue or sale of any of the
Fund's Shares, or the sufficiency of the amount to be received
therefor;
(c) The legality of the redemption of any of the
Fund's Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be paid
therefor;
(d) The legality of the declaration or payment of any
dividend by the Fund;
(e) The legality of any borrowing by the Fund using
Securities as collateral;
(f) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities
pursuant to Article XIV of this Agreement, nor shall the
Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that any
cash collateral delivered to it by a broker, dealer or financial
institution or held by it at any time as a result of such loan
of portfolio Securities of the Fund is adequate collateral for
the Fund against any loss it might sustain as a result of such
loan. The Custodian specifically, but not by way of limitation,
shall not be under any duty or obligation periodically to check
or notify the Fund that the amount of such cash collateral held
by it for the Fund is sufficient collateral for the Fund, but
such duty or obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the
Fund. In addition, the Custodian shall be under no duty or
obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial
institution to which portfolio Securities of the Fund are lent
pursuant to Article XIV of this Agreement makes payment to it of
any dividends or interest which are payable to or for the
account of the Fund during the period of such loan or at the
termination of such loan, provided, however, that the Custodian
shall promptly notify the Fund in the event that such dividends
or interest are not paid and received when due; or
(g) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money
and/or Securities held in any Margin Account, Segregated
Security Account or Collateral Account in connection with
transactions by the Fund. In addition, the Custodian shall be
under no duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer,
futures commission merchant or Clearing Member makes payment to
the Fund of any variation margin payment or similar payment
which the Fund may be entitled to receive from such broker,
dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member, to see
that any payment received by the Custodian from any broker,
dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member is the
amount the Fund is entitled to receive, or to notify the Fund of
the Custodian's receipt or non-receipt of any such payment;
provided however that the Custodian, upon the Fund's written
request, shall, as Custodian, demand from any broker, dealer,
futures commission merchant or Clearing Member identified by the
Fund the payment of any variation margin payment or similar
payment that the Fund asserts it is entitled to receive pursuant
to the terms of a Margin Account Agreement or otherwise from
such broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing
Member.
3. The Custodian shall not be liable for, or
considered to be the Custodian of, any money, whether or not
represented by any check, draft or other instrument for the
payment of money, received by it on behalf of the Fund until the
Custodian actually receives and collects such money directly or
by the final crediting of the account representing the Fund's
interest at the Book-Entry System or the Depository.
4. The Custodian shall have no responsibility and
shall not be liable for ascertaining or acting upon any calls,
conversions, exchange, offers, tenders, interest rate changes or
similar matters relating to Securities held in the Depository,
unless the Custodian shall have actually received timely notice
from the Depository. In no event shall the Custodian have any
responsibility or liability for the failure of the Depository to
collect, or for the late collection or late crediting by the
Depository of any amount payable upon Securities deposited in
the Depository which may mature or be redeemed, retired, called
or otherwise become payable. However, upon receipt of a
Certificate from the Fund of an overdue amount on Securities
held in the Depository, the Custodian shall make a claim against
the Depository on behalf of the Fund, except that the Custodian
shall not be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or
defend any action, suit or proceeding in respect to any
Securities held by the Depository which in its opinion may
involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity
satisfactory to it against all expense and liability be
furnished as often as may be required.
5. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or
obligation to take action to effect collection of any amount due
to the Fund from the Transfer Agent of the Fund nor to take any
`action to effect payment or distribution by the Transfer Agent
of the Fund of any amount paid by the Custodian to the Transfer
Agent of the Fund in accordance with this Agreement.
6. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or
obligation to take action to effect collection of any amount, if
the Securities upon which such amount is payable are in default,
or if payment is refused after due demand or presentation,
unless and until (i) it shall be directed to take such action by
a Certificate and (ii) it shall be assured to its satisfaction
of reimbursement of its costs and expenses in connection with
any such action.
7. The Custodian may appoint one or more banking
institutions as Depository or Depositories or as Sub-Custodian
or Sub-Custodians, including, but not limited to, banking
institutions located in foreign countries, of Securities and
moneys at any time owned by the Fund, upon terms and conditions
approved in a Certificate, which shall, if requested by the
Custodian, be accompanied by an approving resolution of the
Fund's Board of Trustees adopted in accordance with Rule 17f-5
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
8. The Custodian shall not be under any duty or
obligation to ascertain whether any Securities at any time
delivered to or held by it for the account of the Fund are such
as properly may be held by the Fund under the provisions of its
Declaration of Trust.
9. (a) The Custodian shall be entitled to receive
and the Fund agrees to pay to the Custodian all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses and such compensation and fees as are
specified on Schedule A hereto. The Custodian shall not deem
amounts payable in respect of foreign custodial services to be
out-of-pocket expenses, it being the parties' intention that all
fees for such services shall be as set forth on Schedule B
hereto and shall be provided for the term of this Agreement
without any automatic or unilateral increase. The Custodian
shall have the right to unilaterally increase the figures on
Schedule A on or after March 1, 1991 and on or after each
succeeding March 1 thereafter by an amount equal to 50% of the
increase in the Consumer Price Index for the calendar year
ending on the December 31 immediately preceding the calendar
year in which such March 1 occurs, provided, however, that
during each such annual period commencing on March 1, the
aggregate increase during such period shall not be in excess of
10%. Any increase by the Custodian shall be specified in a
written notice delivered to the Fund at least thirty days prior
to the effective date of the increase. The Custodian may charge
such compensation and any expenses incurred by the Custodian in
the performance of its duties pursuant to such agreement against
any money held by it for the account of the Fund. The Custodian
shall also be entitled to charge against any money held by it
for the account of the Fund the amount of any loss, damage,
liability or expense, including counsel fees, for which it shall
be entitled to reimbursement under the provisions of this
Agreement. The expenses which the Custodian may charge against
the account of the Fund include, but are not limited to, the
expenses of Sub-Custodians and foreign branches of the Custodian
incurred in settling outside of New York City transactions
involving the purchase and sale of Securities of the Fund.
(b) The Fund shall receive a credit for each
calendar month against such compensation and fees of the
Custodian as may be payable by the Fund with respect to such
calendar month in an amount equal to the aggregate of its
Earnings Credit for such calendar month. In no event may any
Earnings Credits be carried forward to any fiscal year other
than the fiscal year in which it was earned, or, unless
permitted by applicable law, transferred to, or utilized by, any
other person or entity, provided that any such transferred
Earnings Credit can be used only to offset compensation and fees
of the Custodian for services rendered to such transferee and
cannot be used to pay the Custodian's out-of-pocket expenses.
For purposes of this subsection (b), the Fund is permitted to
transfer Earnings Credits only to The Dreyfus Corporation, its
affiliates and/or any investment company now or in the future
sponsored by The Dreyfus Corporation or any of its affiliates or
for which The Dreyfus Corporation or any of its affiliates acts
as the sole investment adviser or as the principal distributor,
and Daiwa Money Fund Inc. For purposes of this sub-section (b),
a fiscal year shall mean the twelve-month period commencing on
the effective date of this Agreement and on each anniversary
thereof.
10. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any
Certificate, notice or other instrument in writing received by
the Custodian and reasonably believed by the Custodian to be a
Certificate. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any
Oral Instructions and any Written Instructions actually received
by the Custodian pursuant to Article IV or XI hereof. The Fund
agrees to forward to the Custodian a Certificate or facsimile
thereof, confirming such Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions in such manner so that such Certificate or
facsimile thereof is received by the Custodian, whether by hand
delivery, telex or otherwise, by the close of business of the
same day that such Oral Instructions or Written Instructions are
given to the Custodian. The Fund agrees that the fact that such
confirming instructions are not received by the Custodian shall
in no way affect the validity of the transactions or
enforceability of the transactions hereby authorized by the
Fund. The Fund agrees that the Custodian shall incur no
liability to the Fund in acting upon Oral Instructions given to
the Custodian hereunder concerning such transactions, provided
such instructions reasonably appear to have been received from
an Authorized Person.
11. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any
instrument, instruction or notice received by the Custodian and
reasonably believed by the Custodian to be given in accordance
with the terms and conditions of any Margin Account Agreement.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian
shall be under no duty to inquire into, and shall not be liable
for, the accuracy of any statements or representations contained
in any such instrument or other notice including, without
limitation, any specification of any amount to be paid to a
broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member.
12. The books and records pertaining to the Fund
which are in the possession of the Custodian shall be the
property of the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared
and maintained as required by the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, and other applicable securities laws and rules
and regulations. The Fund, or the Fund's authorized
representatives, shall have access to such books and records
during the Custodian's normal business hours. Upon the
reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such books and
records shall be provided by the Custodian to the Fund or the
Fund's authorized representative at the Fund's expense.
13. The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any
report obtained by the Custodian on the system of internal
accounting control of the Book-Entry System or the Depository,
or O.C.C., and with such reports on its own systems of internal
accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time
to time.
14. The Fund agrees to indemnify the Custodian
against and save the Custodian harmless from all liability,
claims, losses and demands whatsoever, including attorney's
fees, howsoever arising or incurred because of or in connection
with the Custodian's payment or non-payment of checks pursuant
to paragraph 6 of Article XII as part of any check redemption
privilege program of the Fund, except for any such liability,
claim, loss and demand arising out of the Custodian's own
negligence or willful misconduct.
15. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this
Agreement, the Custodian may deliver and receive Securities, and
receipts with respect to such Securities, and arrange for
payments to be made and received by the Custodian in accordance
with the customs prevailing from time to time among brokers or
dealers in such Securities.
16. The Custodian shall have no duties or
responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and
responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this
Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in
this Agreement against the Custodian.
ARTICLE XVI
TERMINATION
1. (a) Except as provided in subparagraphs (b), (c)
and (d) herein, neither party may terminate this Agreement until
the earlier of the following: (i) August 31, 1993, and (ii) the
third anniversary of the earliest date on which none of the
companies listed on Schedule C hereto is a transfer agency
customer of the Custodian. Any such termination may be effected
only by the terminating party giving to the other party a notice
in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall
be not less than two hundred seventy (270) days after the date
of giving of such notice.
(b) The Fund may at any time terminate this
Agreement if the Custodian has materially breached its
obligations under this Agreement and such breach has remained
uncured for a period of thirty days after the Custodian's
receipt from the Fund of written notice specifying such breach.
(c) Either party, immediately upon written
notice to the other party, may terminate this Agreement upon the
Merger or Bankruptcy of the other party.
(d) The Fund may at any time terminate this
Agreement if the Custodian has materially breached its
obligations under the "Amendment to Transfer Agency Agreements"
dated August 18, 1989 and has not cured such breach as promptly
as practicable and in any event within seven days of its receipt
of written notice of such breach, provided that the Custodian
shall not be permitted to cure any such material breach arising
from the willful misconduct of the Custodian.
In the event notice of termination is given by the
Fund, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the
Trustees of the Fund, certified by the Secretary or any
Assistant Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and
designating a successor custodian or custodians, each of which
shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000
aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits. In the event
notice of termination is given by the Custodian, the Fund shall,
on or before the termination date, deliver to the Custodian a
copy of a resolution of its Trustees, certified by the Secretary
or any Assistant Secretary, designating a successor custodian or
custodians. In the absence of such designation by the Fund, the
Custodian may designate a successor custodian which shall be a
bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate
capital, surplus and undivided profits. Upon the date set forth
in such notice, this Agreement shall terminate and the Custodian
shall, upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor
custodian, on that date deliver directly to the successor
custodian all Securities and moneys then owned by the Fund and
held by it as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and
other amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall
then be entitled.
2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the
Fund or the Custodian in accordance with the preceding
paragraph, the Fund shall, upon the date specified in the notice
of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery by the
Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities held in the
Book-Entry System which cannot be delivered to the Fund) and
moneys then owned by the Fund, be deemed to be its own
custodian, and the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all
duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other
than the duty with respect to Securities held in the Book-Entry
System, in any Depository or by a Clearing Member which cannot
be delivered to the Fund, to hold such Securities hereunder in
accordance with this Agreement.
ARTICLE XVII
MISCELLANEOUS
1. Annexed hereto as Appendix A is a Certificate
signed by two of the present Officers of the Fund under its
seal, setting forth the names and the signatures of the present
Authorized Persons. The Fund agrees to furnish to the Custodian
a new Certificate in similar form in the event that any such
present Authorized Person ceases to be an Authorized Person or
in the event that other or additional Authorized Persons are
elected or appointed. Until such new Certificate shall be
received, the Custodian shall be fully protected in acting under
the provisions of this Agreement upon Oral Instructions or
signatures of the present Authorized Persons as set forth in the
last delivered Certificate.
2. Annexed hereto as Appendix B is a Certificate
signed by two of the present Officers of the Fund under its
seal, setting forth the names and the signatures of the present
Officers of the Fund. The Fund agrees to furnish to the
Custodian a new Certificate in similar form in the event any
such present Officer ceases to be an Officer of the Fund, or in
the event that other or additional Officers are elected or
appointed. Until such new Certificate shall be received, the
Custodian shall be fully protected in acting under the
provisions of this Agreement upon the signatures of the Officers
as set forth in the last delivered Certificate.
3. Any notice or other instrument in writing,
authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the
Custodian, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the
Custodian and mailed or delivered to it at its offices at 90
Washington Street, New York, New York 10015, or at such other
place as the Custodian may from time to time designate in
writing.
4. Any notice or other instrument in writing,
authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the
Fund, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Fund and
mailed or delivered to it at its office at 666 Old Country Road,
Garden City, New York 11530, or at such other place as the Fund
may from time to time designate in writing.
5. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in
any manner except by a written agreement executed by both
parties with the same formality as this Agreement and approved
by a resolution of the Trustees of the Fund.
6. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be
binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors
and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be
assignable by the Fund without the written consent of the
Custodian, or by the Custodian without the written consent of
the Fund, authorized or approved by a resolution of its
Trustees.
7. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York.
8. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original,
but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one
instrument.
9. This Agreement shall not be effective on the date
hereof and instead shall become effective on January 1, 1990.
When effective, this Agreement shall supersede the then-existing
Custody Agreement between the parties hereto.
10. This Agreement has been executed on behalf of the
Fund by the undersigned Officer of the Fund in his capacity as
an Officer of the Fund. The obligations of this Agreement shall
only be binding upon the assets and property of the Fund and
shall not be binding upon any Trustee, Officer or shareholder of
the Fund individually.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused
this Agreement to be executed by their respective Officers,
thereunto duly authorized, and their respective corporate seals
to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above
written.
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT
BOND FUND
By: /s/John Pyburn
John Pyburn, Treasurer
Attest:
/s/Robert I. Frenkel
Robert I. Frenkel
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: /s/Donald L. Colby
Donald L. Colby
Attest:
/s/Robert W. Viets
Robert W. Viets Appendix A
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
AUTHORIZED SIGNATORIES:
CASH ACCOUNT AND/OR CUSTODIAN
ACCOUNT FOR PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
TRANSACTIONS
Group I Group II
All current Fund officers, Paul Casti, Jr. Alan Eisner
Frank Greene, John Bale, Jeffrey Nachman Lawrence Greene
Michael Condon, Richard John Pyburn Julian Smerling
Cassaro and Steven Joseph DiMartino Thomas Durante
Powanda Robert Dubuss James Windels
Joseph Connolly Paul Molloy
Gregory Gruber
Cash Account
1. Fees payable to The Bank of New York pursuant to written
agreement with the Fund for services rendered in its
capacity as Custodian or agent of the Fund, or to The
Shareholder Services Group, Inc. in its capacity as
Transfer Agent or agent of the Fund:
Two (2) signatures required, one of which must be
from Group II, except that an officer of the Fund
who also is listed in Group II shall sign only
once.
2. Other expenses of the Fund, $5,000 and under:
Any combination of two (2) signatures from either
Group I or Group II, or both such Groups, except
that an officer of the Fund who also is listed in
Group II shall sign only once.
3. Other expenses of the Fund, over $5,000 but not over
$25,000:
Two (2) signatures required, one of which must be
from Group II, except that an officer of the Fund
who also is listed in Group II shall sign only
once.
4. Other expenses of the Fund, over $25,000:
Two (2) signatures required, one from Group I or
Group II, including any one of the following:
Paul Casti, Jr., James Windels, Jeffrey Nachman,
John Pyburn or Alan Eisner, except that no
individual shall be authorized to sign more than
once.
Custodian Account for Portfolio Securities Transactions
Two (2) signatures required from any of the following:
All current Fund officers, and Joseph DiMartino,
Robert Dubuss, Alan Eisner, Lawrence Greene,
Julian Smerling, Gregory Gruber, Richard Cassaro,
Steven Powanda, Ann Weintraub, Alfonso Fulgieri,
Alan Brown, Linda Raffinello, Michael Charash,
Theresa Viviano, Paul Casti, Jr. and Michael
Condon.
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
AMENDED AND RESTATED CUSTODY AGREEMENT
APPENDIX B
The undersigned Officers of the Fund do hereby certify
that the following individuals, whose specimen signatures are on
file with The Bank of New York, have been duly elected or
appointed by the Fund's Board to the position set forth opposite
their names and have qualified therefor:
Name Position
Richard J. Moynihan President and Investment Officer
A. Paul Disdier Vice President and Investment Officer
Karen M. Hand Vice President and Investment Officer
Stephen C. Kris Vice President and Investment Officer
Monica S. Wieboldt Vice President and Investment Officer
L. Lawrence Troutman Vice President and Investment Officer
Samuel J. Weinstock Vice President and Investment Officer
Daniel C. Maclean Vice President
John J. Pyburn Treasurer
Mark N. Jacobs Secretary
Jeffrey N. Nachman Controller
Christine Pavalos Assistant Secretary
/s/Mark N. Jacobs /s/John J. Pyburn
Title: Secretary Title: Treasurer
AMENDED AND RESTATED CUSTODY AGREEMENT
APPENDIX C
The following are designated publications for.purposes
of paragraph 5(b) of Article III:
The Bond Buyer
Depository Trust Company Notices
Financial Daily Card Service
New York Times
Standard & Poor's Called Bond Record
Wall Street Journal
Schedule A
The fees payable to the Custodian with respect to securities
held in domestic custody are annexed hereto.
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT SOD FUND
Domestic Custody Fees
Basic Fee: 1/100th of 1% of the first $500,000,000, and
1/200th of 1% of the excess over $500,000,000 per
annum of the total market value of domestic
securities held.
Custodial Transactions:
$13.00 for each receipt and delivery of securities
(excluding Euro Dollar CDs).
$40.00 for any receipt, delivery or redemption of a
Euro Dollar CD for which BNY's London branch is
utilized for settlement and safekeeping.
$200.00 for the collection of interest on securities
held in "street name."
Schedule B
The fees payable to the Custodian with respect to
securities held in foreign custody are as set forth in a letter
dated August 10, 1989 from Masao Yamaguchi of The Bank of New
York to Kevin Flood of Dreyfus Service Corporation, a copy of
which is annexed hereto.
The above foreign custody fees apply to the following
Global Custody Network countries:
1. Australia 12. Japan
2. Austria 13. Luxembourg
3. Belgium 14. Malaysia
4. Canada 15. Netherlands
5. Denmark 16. New Zealand
6. Finland 17. Norway
7. France 18. Singapore
8. Germany 19. Spain
9. Hong Kong 20. Sweden
10. Ireland 21. Switzerland
11. Italy 22. United Kingdom
[THE BANK OF NEW YORK LETTERHEAD]
August 10, 1989
Mr. Kevin Flood
Senior Vice President
The Dreyfus Corporation
222 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, New York
Re: Global Custodian Fees
Dear Kevin:
This letter is to confirm our discussion regarding our
Global Custody fee schedule. The fees will be calculated on a
relationship basis with no annual minimum.
- Safekeeping/Income Collection/Capital Changes/Tax
Reclamation/Daily Reporting/Monthly Summary
16 basis points per annum on the market value of
securities held for all of your funds in our sub-
custodian network, up to $250 MM.
15 basis points on the next $250 MM.
14 basis points on the next $250 MM.
12 basis points on the excess.
- Securities Settlements
$35 per transaction -- includes our processing and the
sub-custodians.
- Out-of-Pocket Expense
Telex, swift, telephone, securities registration,
etc., are in addition to the above.
- We can provide centralized foreign exchange services.
The above fee schedule is applicable to the 22 countries
listed on Attachment I. Please note that expansion into other
more emerging markets/countries is possible, but would be
covered under a separate agreement.
If you are in agreement with this fee schedule, please sign
and return the enclosed copy of this letter.
Sincerely,
/s/Masao Yamaguchi
Masao Yamaguchi
Approved by: ______________________
Kevin Flood
Date : ______________________
MY:to
cc: The Bank of New York Dreyfus
F. Ricciardi J. Nachman
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN
Introduction: It has been proposed that the above-
captioned investment company (the "Fund") adopt a Shareholder
Services Plan (the "Plan") under which the Fund would reimburse
Dreyfus Service Corporation ("DSC") for certain allocated
expenses of providing personal services and/or maintaining
shareholder accounts to (a) shareholders of each series of the
Fund or class of Fund shares set forth on Exhibit A hereto, as
such Exhibit may be revised from time to time, or (b) if no
series or classes are set forth on such Exhibit, shareholders of
the Fund. The Plan is not to be adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"),
and the fee under the Plan is intended to be a "service fee" as
defined in Article III, Section 26 (a "Service Fee"), of the NASD
Rules of Fair Practice (the "NASD Rules").
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 Fund assets for such purposes.
In voting to approve the implementation of such a plan,
the Board has concluded, in the exercise of its reasonable
business judgment and in light of applicable 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 reimburse DSC an amount not to
exceed an annual rate of .25 of 1% of the value of the Fund's
average daily net assets for its allocated expenses of providing
personal services to shareholders and/or maintaining shareholder
accounts; provided that, at no time, shall the amount paid to DSC
under this Plan, together with amounts otherwise paid by the
Fund, or each series or class identified on Exhibit A, as a
Service Fee under the NASD Rules, exceed the maximum amount then
payable under the NASD Rules as a Service Fee. The amount of
such reimbursement shall be based on an expense allocation
methodology prepared by DSC annually and approved by the Fund's
Board or on any other basis from time to time deemed reasonable
by the Fund's Board.
2. For the purposes of determining the fees payable
under this Plan, the value of the net assets of the Fund or the
net assets attributable to each series or class of Fund shares
identified on Exhibit A, 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.
3. The 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.
4. This Plan will become effective immediately upon
approval by 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.
5. This Plan shall continue for a period of one year
from its effective date, 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 4 hereof.
6. This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board,
provided that any material amendments of the terms of this Plan
shall become effective only upon approval as provided in
paragraph 4 hereof.
7. This Plan is terminable without penalty at any
time by 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.
8. The obligations hereunder and under any related
Plan agreement shall only be binding upon the assets and property
of the Fund and shall not be binding upon any Trustee, officer or
shareholder of the Fund individually.
Dated: July 14, 1993
As Revised: October 19, 1994
EXHIBIT A
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 June 28, 1995, in this Registration Statement (Form N-1A 2-96709)
of Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
New York, New York
August 14, 1995
POWER OF ATTORNEY
_______________________________________________
The undersigned, being members of the Board of the Dreyfus
Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund, hereby constitutes and appoints
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; to sign any and all amendments to the
Registration Statement (including Post-Effective Amendments and amendments
thereto); and 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, the undersigned have executed this Consent as of
August 29, 1994.
/s/ David W. Burke /s/ Arnold S. Hiatt
David W. Burke Arnold S. Hiatt
/s/ Samuel Chase /s/ David J. Mahoney
Samuel Chase David J. Mahoney
/s/ Joni Evans /s/ Burton N. Wallack
Joni Evans Burton N. Wallack
POWER OF ATTORNEY
_____________________________________
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frederick C. Dey, Eric B.
Fischman, Ruth D. Leibert, and John Pelletier and each of them, with full
power to act without the other, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution; for him and in
his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities (until revoked in
writing) to sign any and all amendments to the Registration Statement for
Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund (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 each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Consent as of June
23, 1995.
/s/ Joseph S.DiMartino
Joseph S. DiMartino
POWER OF ATTORNEY
_____________________________________
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frederick C. Dey, Eric B.
Fischman, Ruth D. Leibert, and John Pelletier and each of them, with full
power to act without the other, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution; for him and in
his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities (until revoked in
writing) to sign any and all amendments to the Registration Statement for
Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund (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 each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Consent as of June
23, 1995.
/s/ Gordon J. Davis
Gordon J. Davis
POWER OF ATTORNEY
_____________________________________
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Frederick C. Dey, Eric B.
Fischman, Ruth D. Leibert, and John Pelletier and each of them, with full
power to act without the other, her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution; for her and in
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
Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund (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 each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Consent as of
September 20, 1994.
/s/ Marie E. Connolly
Marie E. Connolly
OTHER EXHIBIT
DREYFUS MASSACHUSETTS TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
Certificate of Assistant Secretary
The undersigned, Ruth D. Leibert, Assistant Secretary of Dreyfus
Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund (the "Fund"), hereby certifies that set
forth below is a copy of the resolution adopted by the Fund's Board
authorizing the signing by Frederick C. Dey, Eric B. Fischman, Ruth D.
Leibert and John Pelletier on behalf of the proper officers of the Fund
pursuant to a power of attorney.
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, 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 or she 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 November 7, 1994.
/s/ Ruth D. Leibert
Ruth D. Leibert
Assistant Secretary
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