- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROSPECTUS APRIL 4, 1996
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL NEW YORK MUNICIPAL MONEY MARKET FUND (THE "FUND") IS AN
OPEN-END, NON-DIVERSIFIED, MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY, KNOWN AS A MONEY
MARKET MUTUAL FUND. THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO MAXIMIZE CURRENT
INCOME EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL, NEW YORK STATE AND NEW YORK CITY INCOME TAXES TO
THE EXTENT CONSISTENT WITH THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL AND THE MAINTENANCE OF
LIQUIDITY.
YOU CAN INVEST, REINVEST OR REDEEM SHARES AT ANY TIME WITHOUT CHARGE
OR PENALTY IMPOSED BY THE FUND.
THE DREYFUS CORPORATION PROFESSIONALLY MANAGES THE FUND'S PORTFOLIO.
THE FUND'S SHARES MAY BE PURCHASED ONLY BY CLIENTS OF SERVICE AGENTS
AS DESCRIBED HEREIN. BY THIS PROSPECTUS, THE FUND IS OFFERING CLASS A AND
CLASS B SHARES. CLASS A SHARES AND CLASS B SHARES ARE IDENTICAL, EXCEPT AS TO
THE SERVICES OFFERED TO AND THE EXPENSES BORNE BY EACH CLASS. CLASS B SHARES
BEAR CERTAIN COSTS PURSUANT TO A PLAN ADOPTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 12B-1
UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940.
AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND IS NEITHER INSURED NOR GUARANTEED BY THE
U.S. GOVERNMENT. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE FUND WILL BE ABLE TO
MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00 PER SHARE.
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 APRIL 4, 1996, 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.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Annual Fund Operating Expenses.................... 3
Condensed Financial Information................... 4
Yield Information................................. 4
Description of the Fund........................... 5
Management of the Fund............................ 8
How to Buy Shares................................. 9
Shareholder Services.............................. 11
How to Redeem Shares.............................. 14
Distribution Plan................................. 17
Shareholder Services Plans........................ 17
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes................ 17
General Information............................... 19
Appendix.......................................... 21
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Page 2
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average daily net assets)
CLASS A CLASS B
SHARES SHARES
--------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees..................................................... .50% .50%
12b-1 Fees.......................................................... None .20%
Other Expenses...................................................... .13% .30%
Total Fund Operating Expenses....................................... .63% 1.00%
EXAMPLE:
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:
1 YEAR $ 6 $ 10
3 YEARS $ 20 $ 32
5 YEARS $ 35 $ 55
10 YEARS $ 79 $122
</TABLE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE AMOUNTS LISTED IN THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS
REPRESENTATIVE OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES AND ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER
OR LESS THAN THOSE INDICATED. MOREOVER, WHILE THE EXAMPLE ASSUMES A 5% ANNUAL
RETURN, THE FUND'S ACTUAL PERFORMANCE WILL VARY AND MAY RESULT IN AN ACTUAL
RETURN GREATER OR LESS THAN 5%.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The purpose of the foregoing table is to assist you in understanding
the costs and expenses borne by the Fund, the payment of which will reduce
investors' annual return. Other Expenses for Class B shares are based on
estimated amounts for the current fiscal year and reflect an undertaking by
The Dreyfus Corporation to reimburse the Fund for expenses under the Fund's
Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class B if the annual fund
operating expenses for Class B exceed 1% of the value of the average net
assets for Class B shares for the fiscal year. The information in the
foregoing table does not reflect any other fee waivers or expense
reimbursement arrangements that may be in effect. Certain Service Agents (as
defined below) may charge their clients direct fees for effecting transactions
in Fund shares; such fees are not reflected in the foregoing table. See
"Management of the Fund," "How to Buy Shares," "Distribution Plan" and
"Shareholder Services Plans."
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.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Contained below is per share operating performance data for a Class A
and Class B share of beneficial interest outstanding, total investment
return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for each
period indicated. This information has been derived from the Fund's financial
statements.
CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
PERIOD ENDED
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------
1987(1) 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995(2)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ----- ------ ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE DATA:
Net asset value, beginning
of period........ $1.0000 $.9972 $.9989 $.9991 $.9999 $.9999 $1.0000 $1.0000 $.9999 $1.0000
------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ -------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Investment income-net.... .0419 .0426 .0523 .0561 .0436 .0275 .0198 .0232 .0323 .0064
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments... (.0028) .0017 .0002 .0008 -- .0001 -- (.0001) -- --
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT
------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ -------
OPERATIONS... .0391 .0443 .0525 .0569 .0436 .0276 .0198 .0231 .0323 .0064
------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ -------
DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from investment
income-net....... (.0419) (.0426) (.0523) (.0561) (.0436) (.0275) (.0198) (.0232) (.0323) (.0064)
------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ -------
Net asset value,
end of period... $.9972 $.9989 $.9991 $.9999 $.9999 $1.0000 $1.0000 $.9999 $1.0000 $1.0000
====== ====== ====== ====== ======= ======= ======= ====== ====== =======
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN... 4.28%(3) 4.34% 5.36% 5.76% 4.45% 2.78% 2.00% 2.34% 3.28% 2.82%(3)
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Ratio of expenses to average
net assets....... .11%(3) .50% .75% -- .09% .25% .32% .34% .58% 1.04%(3)
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets... 4.28%(3) 4.22% 5.97% 5.58% 4.44% 2.99% 1.98% 2.33% 3.23% 3.64%(3)
Decrease reflected in above
expense ratios due to
undertakings by
The Dreyfus Corporation... .73%(3) .27% .15% .66% .55% .38% .35% .32% .05% --
Net Assets, end of period
(000's omitted).. $54,782 $62,140 $49,335 $500,947 $586,933 $630,899 $612,441 $689,918 $636,013 --
- --------------
(1) From December 2, 1986 (commencement of operations) to November 30, 1987.
(2) From September 8, 1995 (commencement of initial offering) to November 30, 1995.
(3) Annualized.
</TABLE>
YIELD INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund advertises its yield and effective yield.
Both yield figures are based on historical earnings and are not intended to
indicate future performance. It can be expected that these yields will
fluctuate substantially. The yield of the Fund refers to the income generated
by an investment in the Fund over a seven-day period (which period will be
stated in the advertisement). This income is then annualized. That is, the
amount of income generated by the investment during that week is assumed to
be generated each week over a 52-week period and is shown as a percentage of
the investment. The effective yield is calculated similarly, but, when
annualized, the income earned by an investment in the Fund is assumed to be
reinvested. The effective yield will be slightly higher than the yield
because of the
Page 4
compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment. The Fund's yield and
effective 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
yield or effective yield calculated as described above.
Yield information is useful in reviewing the Fund's performance, but
because yields will fluctuate, such information under certain conditions may
not provide a basis for comparison with domestic bank deposits, other
investments which pay a fixed yield for a stated period of time, or other
investment companies which may use a different method of computing yield.
Comparative performance information may be used from time to time in
advertising or marketing the Fund's shares, including data from Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., Bank Rate Monitortrademark, N. Palm Beach, Fla.
33408, IBC/Donoghue's Money Fund ReportRegistration Mark, Morningstar, Inc.
and other industry publications.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
GENERAL
By this Prospectus, two classes of shares of the Fund are being
offered_Class A shares and Class B shares (each such class being referred to
as a "Class"). The Classes are identical, except for the services offered to
and expenses borne by each Class. Class B shares bear certain costs pursuant
to a distribution plan adopted by the Fund's Board. See
"Distribution Plan" and "Shareholder Services Plans." In addition, Class B
shares are charged directly for sub-accounting services provided by Service
Agents at the annual rate of .05% of the value of the average daily net
assets of Class B. The sub-accounting fee paid by Class B, together with
amounts payable pursuant to the Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services
Plan, will cause Class B to have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower
dividends than Class A. You should consult your Service Agent to determine
which Class is offered by the Service Agent.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund's investment objective is to maximize current income exempt
from Federal, New York State and New York City income taxes to the extent
consistent with the preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity.
To accomplish its investment objective, the Fund invests primarily in debt
securities of the State of New York, its political subdivisions, authorities
and corporations, the interest from which is, in the opinion of bond counsel
to the issuer, exempt from Federal, New York State and New York City income
taxes (collectively, "New York Municipal Obligations"). To the extent
acceptable New York Municipal Obligations are at any time unavailable for
investment by the Fund, the Fund will invest temporarily in other debt
securities the interest from which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the
issuer, exempt from Federal, but not New York State and New York City, income
tax. The Fund's investment objective cannot be changed without approval by
the holders of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the "1940 Act")) of the Fund's outstanding voting shares. There
can be no assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be achieved.
Securities in which the Fund will invest may not earn as high a level of
current income as long-term or lower quality securities which generally have
less liquidity, greater market risk and more fluctuation in market value.
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
Page 5
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.
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. Under normal circumstances, at
least 65% of the value of the Fund's net assets will be invested in New York
Municipal Obligations and the remainder may be invested in securities that
are not New York Municipal Obligations and therefore may be subject to New
York State and New York City income taxes. See "Investment Considerations and
Risks_Investing in New York Municipal Obligations" below, and "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes." The Fund also may invest in Taxable Investments of
the quality described under "Appendix--Certain Portfolio Securities--Taxable
Investments."
The Fund seeks to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per share for
purchases and redemptions. To do so, the Fund uses the amortized cost method
of valuing its securities pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, certain
requirements of which are summarized as follows. In accordance with Rule
2a-7, the Fund will maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of
90 days or less, purchase only instruments having remaining maturities of 13
months or less and invest only in U.S. dollar denominated securities
determined in accordance with procedures established by the Fund's Board to
present minimal credit risks and which are rated in one of the two highest
rating categories for debt obligations by at least two nationally recognized
statistical rating organizations (or one rating organization if the
instrument was rated only by one such organization) or, if unrated, are of
comparable quality as determined in accordance with procedures established by
the Board. The nationally recognized statistical rating organizations
currently rating investments of the type the Fund may purchase are Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a
division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P"), and Fitch Investors
Service, L.P. ("Fitch") and their rating criteria are described in "Appendix
B" to the Statement of Additional Information. For further information
regarding the amortized cost method of valuing securities, see "Determination
of Net Asset Value" in the Statement of Additional Information. There can be
no assurance that the Fund will be able to maintain a stable net asset value
of $1.00 per share.
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 purposes 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
Page 6
Fund may invest without limitation in such Municipal Obligations if The
Dreyfus Corporation determines that their purchase is consistent with the
Fund's investment objective. See "Investment Considerations and Risks" below.
INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS
GENERAL -- 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. The value of fixed-income
securities also may be affected by changes in the credit rating or financial
condition of the issuing entities.
INVESTING IN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS -- You should consider carefully
the special risks inherent in investing in New York Municipal Obligations.
These risks result from the financial condition of New York State, certain of
its public bodies and municipalities, and New York City. Beginning in early
1975, New York State, New York City and other State entities faced serious
financial difficulties which jeopardized the credit standing and impaired the
borrowing abilities of such entities and contributed to high interest rates
on, and lower market prices for, debt obligations issued by them. A
recurrence of such financial difficulties or a failure of certain financial
recovery programs could result in defaults or declines in the market values
of various New York Municipal Obligations in which each Fund may invest. If
there should be a default or other financial crisis relating to New York
State, New York City, a State or City agency, or a State municipality, the
market value and marketability of outstanding New York Municipal Obligations
in a Fund's portfolio and the interest income to the Fund could be adversely
affected. Moreover, the national recession and the significant slowdown in
the New York regional economies in the early 1990s added substantial
uncertainty to estimates of the State's tax revenues, which, in part, caused
the State to incur cash-basis operating deficits in the General Fund and
issue deficit notes during the fiscal periods 1989 through 1992. The State's
financial operations improved, however, during the 1993 and 1994 fiscal
years. After reflecting a 1993 year-end deposit to the refund reserve account
of $671 million, reported 1993 General Fund receipts were $45 million higher
than originally projected in April 1992. The State completed the 1994 fiscal
year with an operating surplus of $914 million. The State reported a General
Fund operating deficit of $1.426 billion for the 1995 fiscal year. There can
be no assurance that New York will not face substantial potential budget gaps
in future years. In January 1992, Moody's lowered from A to Baal the ratings
on certain appropriation-backed debt of New York State and its agencies. The
State's general obligation, state guaranteed and New York State Local
Government Assistance Corporation bonds continued to be rated A by Moody's.
In January 1992, S&P lowered from A to A- its ratings of New York State
general obligation bonds and stated that it continued to assess the ratings
outlook as negative. The ratings of various agency debt, state moral
obligations, contractual obligations, lease purchase obligations and state
guarantees also were lowered. In February 1991, Moody's lowered its rating on
New York City's general obligation bonds from A to Baal and in July 1995, S&P
lowered its rating on such bonds from A- to BBB+. The rating changes
reflected the rating agencies' concerns about the financial condition of New
York State and City, the heavy debt load of the State and City, and economic
uncertainties in the region. You should obtain and review a copy of the
Statement of Additional Information which more fully sets forth these and
other risk factors.
INVESTING IN MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS -- 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.
Page 7
Certain municipal lease/purchase obligations in which the Fund may
invest may contain "non-appropriation" clauses which provide that the
municipality has no obligation to make lease payments in future years unless
money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. Although
"non-appropriation" lease/purchase obligations are secured by the leased
property, disposition of the leased property in the event of foreclosure
might prove difficult. In evaluating the credit quality of a municipal
lease/purchase obligation that is unrated, The Dreyfus Corporation will
consider, on an ongoing basis, a number of factors including the likelihood
that the issuing municipality will discontinue appropriating funding for the
leased property.
Certain provisions in the Code relating to the issuance of Municipal
Obligations may reduce the volume of Municipal Obligations qualifying for
Federal tax exemption. One effect of these provisions could be to increase
the cost of the Municipal Obligations available for purchase by the Fund and
thus reduce available yield. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers
concerning the effect of these provisions on an investment in the Fund.
Proposals that may restrict or eliminate the income tax exemption for
interest on Municipal Obligations may be introduced in the future. If any
such proposal were enacted that would reduce the availability of Municipal
Obligations for investment by the Fund so as to adversely affect Fund
shareholders, the Fund would reevaluate its investment objective and policies
and submit possible changes in the Fund's structure to shareholders for their
consideration. If legislation were enacted that would treat a type of
Municipal Obligation as taxable, the Fund would treat such security as a
permissible Taxable Investment within the applicable limits set forth herein.
NON-DIVERSIFIED STATUS -- The classification of the Fund 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 1940 Act. A "diversified" investment company is required by
the 1940 Act generally, with respect to 75% of its total assets, to invest
not more than 5% of such assets in the securities of a single issuer. Since a
relatively high percentage of the Fund's assets may be invested in the
obligations of a limited number of issuers, the Fund's portfolio may be more
sensitive to changes in the market value of a single issuer. However, to meet
Federal tax requirements, at the close of each quarter the Fund may not have
more than 25% of its total assets invested in any one issuer and, with
respect to 50% of total assets, not more than 5% of its total assets invested
in any one issuer. These limitations do not apply to U.S. Government
securities.
SIMULTANEOUS INVESTMENTS -- 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 desire to invest in,
or dispose of, the same securities 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
INVESTMENT ADVISER -- 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 February 29, 1996, The Dreyfus Corporation
managed or administered approximately $85 billion in assets for more than
$1.7 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 authority of the Fund's Board in accordance with Massachusetts
law.
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
Page 8
comprehensive range of financial products and services in domestic and
selected international markets. Mellon is among the twenty-five largest bank
holding companies in the United States based on total assets. Mellon's
principal wholly-owned subsidiaries are Mellon Bank, N.A., Mellon Bank (DE)
National Association, Mellon Bank (MD), The Boston Company, Inc., AFCO Credit
Corporation and a number of companies known as Mellon Financial Services
Corporations. Through its subsidiaries, including The Dreyfus Corporation,
Mellon managed more than $233 billion in assets as of December 31, 1995,
including approximately $81 billion in proprietary mutual fund assets. As of
December 31, 1995, Mellon, through various subsidiaries, provided
non-investment services, such as custodial or administration services, for
more than $786 billion in assets, including approximately $60 billion in
mutual fund assets.
Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Fund has agreed to
pay The Dreyfus Corporation a monthly fee at the annual rate of .50 of 1% of
the value of the Fund's average daily net assets. For the fiscal year ended
November 30, 1995, the Fund paid The Dreyfus Corporation a monthly management
fee at the effective annual rate of .45 of 1% of the value of the Fund's
average daily net assets pursuant to undertakings by The Dreyfus Corporation.
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. The Fund will not pay The Dreyfus Corporation at a later time
for any amounts it may waive, nor will the Fund reimburse The Dreyfus
Corporation for any amounts it may assume.
In allocating brokerage transactions, The Dreyfus Corporation seeks
to obtain the best execution of orders at the most favorable net price.
Subject to this determination, The Dreyfus Corporation may consider, among
other things, the receipt of research services and/or the sale of shares of
the Fund or other funds advised by The Dreyfus Corporation as factors in the
selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund.
See "Portfolio Transactions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Dreyfus Corporation may pay the Fund's distributor for
shareholder services from The Dreyfus Corporation's own assets, including
past profits but not including the management fee paid by the Fund. The
Fund's distributor may use part or all of such payments to pay Service Agents
in respect of these services.
DISTRIBUTOR -- The Fund's distributor is Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
(the "Distributor"), located at One Exchange Place, Boston, Massachusetts
02109. The Distributor's ultimate parent is Boston Institutional Group, Inc.
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND CUSTODIAN -- Dreyfus Transfer,
Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dreyfus 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 SHARES
Fund shares may be purchased only by clients of certain financial
institutions (which may include banks), securities dealers ("Selected
Dealers") and other industry professionals (collectively, "Service Agents")
that have entered into service agreements with the Distributor. For
shareholders who purchase Fund shares from the Distributor, the Distributor
will act as Service Agent. 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 Service Agent which has made an aggregate minimum initial
purchase for its customers of $2,500. Subsequent investments must be
Page 9
at least $100. The initial investment must be accompanied by the 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 TheDreyfus Corporation,
including members of the Fund's Board, or the spouse or minor child of any of
the foregoing, the minimum initial investment is $1,000. For full-time or
part-time employees of The Dreyfus Corporation or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries who elect to have a portion of their pay directly deposited into
their Fund account, the minimum initial investment is $50. The Fund reserves
the right to vary further the initial and subsequent investment minimum
requirements at any time.
You may purchase Fund shares by check or wire or through the
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 indicating
which Class of shares is being purchased. For subsequent investments, your
Fund account number should appear on the check and an investment slip should
be enclosed and sent to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box 105, Newark,
New Jersey 07101-0105. Neither initial nor subsequent investments should be
made by third party check. Purchase orders may be delivered in person only to
the Dreyfus Financial Center located in the lobby of 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York. THESE ORDERS WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE FUND AND WILL BE
PROCESSED ONLY UPON RECEIPT THEREBY.
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 #8900052171/General New York
Municipal Money Market Fund -- Class A, or DDA #8900252324/General New York
Municipal Money Market Fund -- Class B, 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 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.
Fund shares also may be purchased through Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset
BuilderRegistration Mark, the Government Direct Deposit Privilege or the
Payroll Savings Plan 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.
Subsequent investments also may be made by electronic transfer of
funds from an account maintained in a bank or other domestic financial
institution that is an Automated Clearing House member. You must direct the
institution to transmit immediately available funds through the Automated
Clearing House to The Bank of New York with instructions to credit your Fund
account. The instructions must specify your Fund account registration and
your Fund account number PRECEDED BY THE DIGITS "1111."
Management understands that some Service Agents may impose certain
conditions on their clients which are different from those described in this
Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by applicable
Page 10
regulatory authority, may charge their clients direct fees for servicing.
These fees would be in addition to any amounts which might be received under
the Fund's Distribution Plan. Service Agents may receive different levels of
compensation for selling different Classes of shares. You should consult your
Service Agent in this regard.
Fund shares are sold on a continuous basis at the net asset value per
share next determined after an order in proper form and Federal Funds (monies
of member banks within the Federal Reserve System which are held on deposit
at a Federal Reserve Bank) are received by the Transfer Agent. If you do not
remit Federal Funds, your payment must be converted into Federal Funds. This
usually occurs within one business day of receipt of a bank wire and within
two business days of receipt of a check drawn on a member bank of the Federal
Reserve System. Checks drawn on banks which are not members of the Federal
Reserve System may take considerably longer to convert into Federal Funds.
Prior to receipt of Federal Funds, your money will not be invested.
The Fund's net asset value per share is determined as of 12:00 Noon,
New York time, on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for
business. Net asset value per share of each Class is computed by dividing the
value of the Fund's net assets represented by such Class (i.e., the value of
its assets less liabilities) by the total number of shares of such Class
outstanding. See "Determination of Net Asset Value" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
If your payments are received in or converted into Federal Funds by
12:00 Noon, New York time, on a business day, you will receive the dividend
declared that day. If your payments are received in or converted into Federal
Funds after 12:00 Noon, New York time, you will begin to accrue dividends on
the following business day.
Qualified institutions may telephone orders for purchase of Fund
shares. These orders will become effective at the price determined at 12:00
Noon, New York time, and the shares purchased will receive the dividend on
Fund shares declared on that day if the telephone order is placed by 12:00
Noon, New York time, and Federal Funds are received by 4:00 p.m., New York
time, on that day.
Federal regulations require that you provide a certified TIN upon
opening or reopening an account. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" and
the 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").
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 TELETRANSFER Privilege, you may request a
TELETRANSFER purchase of shares by telephoning 1-800-645-6561 or, if you are
calling from overseas, call 516-794-5452.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The services and privileges described under this heading may not be
available to clients of certain Service Agents and some Service Agents may
impose certain conditions on their clients which are different from those
described in this Prospectus. You should consult your Service Agent in this
regard. In addition, use of the privileges noted below may require that the
proper forms and information be filed with and processed by the Transfer
Agent.
FUND EXCHANGES -- Clients of certain Service Agents may purchase, in exchange
for shares of the Fund, shares of certain other funds managed or administered
by The Dreyfus Corporation, to the extent
Page 11
such shares are offered for sale in your state of residence. These funds have
different investment objectives which may be of interest to you. If you desire
to use this service, you should consult your Service Agent or call
1-800-645-6561 to determine if it is available and whether any conditions
are imposed on its use.
To request an exchange, you or your Service Agent acting on your
behalf must give exchange instructions to the Transfer Agent in writing or by
telephone. Before any exchange, you must obtain and should review a copy of
the current prospectus of the fund into which the exchange is being made.
Prospectuses may be obtained by calling 1-800-645-6561. Except in the case of
personal retirement plans, the shares being exchanged must have a current
value of at least $500; furthermore, when establishing a new account by
exchange, the shares being exchanged must have a current 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 1-800-645-6561
or, if you are calling from overseas, call 516-794-5452. See "How to Redeem
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, TELETRANSFER Privilege, and the
dividend/capital gain distribution option (except for 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 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 the exchange you must notify the
Transfer Agent or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor. Any such
qualification is subject to confirmation of your holdings through a check of
appropriate records. See "Shareholder Services" in the Statement of
Additional Information. No fees currently are charged shareholders directly
in connection with exchanges, although the Fund reserves the right, upon not
less than 60 days' written notice, to charge shareholders a nominal fee in
accordance with rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Fund reserves the right to reject any exchange request in whole or in
part. The availability of Fund Exchanges may be modified or terminated at any
time upon notice to shareholders. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
AUTO-EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE -- 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 certain 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
Page 12
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
the use of this Privilege. No such fee currently is contemplated. For more
information concerning this Privilege and the funds in the Dreyfus Family of
Funds eligible to participate in this Privilege, or to obtain an
Auto-Exchange Authorization Form, please call toll free 1-800-645-6561. See
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDERRegistration Mark -- Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset
Builder permits you to purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 and maximum of
$150,000 per transaction) at regular intervals selected by you. Fund shares
are purchased by transferring funds from the bank account designated by you.
At your option, the bank account designated by you will be debited in the
specified amount, and Fund shares will be purchased, once a month, on either
the first or fifteenth day, or twice a month, on both days. Only an account
maintained at a domestic financial institution which is an Automated Clearing
House member may be so designated. To establish an Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset
Builder account, you must file an authorization form with the Transfer Agent.
You may obtain the necessary authorization form from your Service Agent or 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.
GOVERNMENT DIRECT DEPOSIT PRIVILEGE -- 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 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.
PAYROLL SAVINGS PLAN -- 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 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
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.
DIVIDEND OPTIONS -- 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
Page 13
which do not include the sales load or which reflect a reduced sales
load. See "Shareholder Services" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Dividend ACH permits you to transfer electronically 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. To select a new
fund after cancellation, you must submit a new Dividend Options Form.
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 Dividend Sweep. The Fund may modify or terminate
these privileges at any time or charge a service fee. No such fee currently
is contemplated.
QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTION PLAN -- The Quarterly Distribution Plan permits you to
receive quarterly payments from the Fund consisting of proceeds from the
redemption of shares purchased for your account through the automatic
reinvestment of dividends declared on your account during the preceding
calendar quarter. To open a Quarterly Distribution Plan, contact the Transfer
Agent. The Plan may be ended at any time by you, the Fund or the Transfer
Agent. Shares for which certificates have been issued must be presented
before redemption under the Plan.
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. 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 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. Service Agents
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
TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE OR THROUGH DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDER AND
SUBSEQUENTLY SUBMIT A WRITTEN REDEMPTION REQUEST TO THE TRANSFER AGENT, YOUR
REDEMPTION WILL BE EFFECTIVE AND THE REDEMPTION PROCEEDS WILL BE TRANSMITTED
TO YOU PROMPTLY UPON BANK CLEARANCE OF YOUR PURCHASE CHECK, 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 PRIVILEGE, AND WILL REJECT REQUESTS TO REDEEM
SHARES BY WIRE OR TELEPHONE OR PURSUANT TO THE TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE, FOR A
PERIOD OF
Page 14
EIGHT BUSINESS DAYS AFTER RECEIPT BY THE TRANSFER AGENT OF THE PURCHASE CHECK,
THE 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, or, if you have checked the appropriate box and
supplied the necessary information on the Account Application or have filed a
Shareholder Services Form with the Transfer Agent, through the Check
Redemption Privilege, the Wire Redemption Privilege, the Telephone Redemption
Privilege, or the TELETRANSFER Privilege. If you are a client of a
Selected Dealer, you may redeem Fund shares through the Selected Dealer.
If you have given your Service Agent authority to instruct the Transfer Agent
to redeem shares and to credit the proceeds of such redemptions to a
designated account at your Service Agent, you may redeem shares only in this
manner and in accordance with the regular redemption procedure described
below. If you wish to use the other redemption methods described below, you
must arrange with your Service Agent for delivery of the required
application(s) to the Transfer Agent. Other redemption procedures may be in
effect for clients of certain Service Agents. The Fund makes available to
certain large institutions the ability to issue redemption instructions
through compatible computer facilities. The Fund reserves the right to refuse
any request made by wire or 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 any
redemption Privilege at any time or charge a service fee upon notice to
shareholders. No such fee currently is contemplated. Shares for which
certificates have been issued are not eligible for the Check Redemption, Wire
Redemption, Telephone Redemption or TELETRANSFER Redemption Privilege.
You may redeem Fund shares by telephone if you have checked the
appropriate box on the 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, or a
representative of your Service Agent, and reasonably believed by the Transfer
Agent to be genuine. The Fund will require the Transfer Agent to employ
reasonable procedures, such as requiring a form of personal identification,
to confirm that instructions are genuine and, if it does not follow such
procedures, the Fund or the Transfer Agent may be liable for any losses due
to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Neither the Fund nor the Transfer
Agent will be liable for following telephone instructions reasonably believed
to be genuine.
During times of drastic economic or market conditions, you may
experience difficulty in contacting the Transfer Agent by telephone to
request a redemption or exchange of Fund shares. In such cases, you should
consider using the other redemption procedures described herein. Use of these
other redemption procedures may result in your redemption request being
processed at a later time than it would have been if telephone redemption had
been used.
Page 15
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 the Dreyfus Financial Center located in the lobby
of 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York. THESE REQUESTS WILL BE FORWARDED TO
THE FUND AND WILL BE PROCESSED ONLY UPON RECEIPT THEREBY. 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 write Redemption Checks drawn on your
Fund account. Redemption Checks may be made payable to the order of any
person in the amount of $500 or more. 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.
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. You also 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
1-800-645-6561 or, if you are calling from overseas, call 516-794-5452. The
Statement of Additional Information sets forth instructions for transmitting
redemption requests by wire.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE -- You may request by telephone that
redemption proceeds (maximum $150,000 per day) be paid by check and mailed to
your address. You may telephone redemption instructions by calling
1-800-645-6561 or, if you are calling from overseas, call 516-794-5452.
TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE -- You may request by telephone that redemption
proceeds (minimum $500 per day) be transferred between your Fund account and
your bank account. Only a bank account maintained in a domestic financial
institution which is an Automated Clearing House member may be 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 TELETRANSFER Privilege for transfer to their
bank account not more than $250,000 within any 30-day period.
Page 16
If you have selected the TELETRANSFER Privilege, you may request a
TELETRANSFER redemption of shares by telephoning 1-800-645-6561 or, if you are
calling from overseas, call 516-794-5452.
REDEMPTION THROUGH A SELECTED DEALER -- If you are a customer of a Selected
Dealer, you may make redemption requests to your Selected Dealer. If the
Selected Dealer transmits the redemption request so that it is received by
the Transfer Agent prior to 12:00 Noon, New York time, on a business day, the
proceeds of the redemption ordinarily will be transmitted in Federal Funds on
the same day and the shares will not receive the dividend declared on that
day. If a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent after 12:00
Noon, New York time, the shares will receive the dividend declared on that
day and the proceeds of redemption ordinarily will be transmitted in Federal
Funds on the next business day. It is the responsibility of the Selected
Dealer to transmit a request so that it is received in a timely manner. The
proceeds of the redemption are credited to your account with the Selected
Dealer.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
(CLASS B ONLY)
Under the Distribution Plan, adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
1940 Act, the Fund directly bears, with respect to Class B, the costs of
preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of
additional information and of implementing and operating the Distribution
Plan. In addition, the Fund reimburses the Distributor for payments made to
third parties for distributing (within the meaning of Rule 12b-1) Class B
shares at an aggregate annual rate of up to .20 of 1% of the value of the
average daily net assets of Class B.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLANS
CLASS A -- The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to
Class A 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 average daily net assets of
Class A 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.
CLASS B -- The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to
Class B pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor for the provision of
certain services to the holders of Class B shares a fee at the annual rate of
.25 of 1% of the value of the average daily net assets of Class B. 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 maintenan
ce of such shareholder accounts. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the
Distributor may make payments to Service Agents in respect of these services.
The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service Agents.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
The Fund ordinarily declares dividends from its net investment income
on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. Dividends
usually are paid on the last calendar 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 preceding business day. If you
redeem all shares in your account at any time during the month, all dividends
to which you are entitled will be paid to you along with the proceeds of the
redemption. If you are an omnibus accountholder and indicate in a partial
redemption request that a portion of any accrued dividends to which such
account is entitled belongs to an underlying accountholder who has redeemed
all shares in his or her account, such portion of the accrued dividends will
be paid to you along with the
Page 17
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 1940 Act. 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.
Dividends paid by each Class will be calculated at the same time and in the
same manner and will be of the same amount, except that the expenses
attributable solely to a particular Class will be borne exclusively by such
Class. Class B shares will receive lower per share dividends than Class A
shares because of the higher expenses borne by Class B. See "Annual Fund
Operating Expenses."
Except for dividends from Taxable Investments, the Fund anticipates
that substantially all dividends paid by the Fund will not be subject to
Federal, New York State and New York City personal income taxes. To the
extent that you are obligated to pay state or local taxes outside of New York
State and New York City, dividends earned by an investment in the Fund may
represent taxable income. Dividends derived from Taxable Investments,
together with distributions from any net realized short-term securities gains
and all or a portion of any gains realized from the sale or other disposition
of certain market discount bonds, paid by the Fund are subject to Federal
income tax as ordinary income whether received in cash or reinvested.
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. No dividend paid by the Fund will qualify for the dividends
received deduction allowable to certain U.S. corporations.
Although all or a substantial portion of the dividends paid by the
Fund may be excluded by Fund shareholders 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 the tax on Social
Security benefits and may cause an investor to be subject to such taxes.
Notice as to the tax status of your dividends and distributions will
be mailed to you annually. You also will receive periodic summaries of your
account which will include information as to dividends and distributions from
securities gains, if any, paid during the year. These statements set forth
the dollar amount of income exempt from Federal tax and the dollar amount, if
any, subject to Federal tax. These dollar amounts will vary depending on the
size and length of time of your investment in the Fund. If the Fund pays
dividends derived from taxable income, it intends to designate as taxable the
same percentage of the day's dividend as the actual taxable income earned on
that day bears to total income earned on that day. Thus, the percentage of
the dividend designated as taxable, if any, may vary from day to day.
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.
Page 18
Federal regulations generally require the Fund to withhold ("backup
withholding") and remit to the U.S. Treasury 31% of taxable dividends and
distributions from net realized securities gains of the Fund 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 in
terest 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 November 30, 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 tax to the extent its earnings are
distributed in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code. The Fund is
subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax, measured with respect to certain
undistributed amounts of taxable investment income and capital gains.
You should consult your tax adviser regarding specific questions as
to Federal, state or local taxes.
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 September 19, 1986, and
commenced operations on December 2, 1986. On January 29, 1990, the Fund's
name was changed from General New York Tax Exempt Money Market Fund to
General New York Municipal Money Market Fund. The Fund is authorized to issue
an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, par value $.001 per
share. The Fund's shares are classified into two classes -- Class A and Class
B. Each share has one vote and shareholders will vote in the aggregate and
not by Class except as otherwise required by law.
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
liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder
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
Fund intends to conduct its operations 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.
Page 19
The Transfer Agent maintains a record of your ownership and sends
confirmations and statements of account.
Shareholder inquiries may be made to your Service Agent or 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.
Page 20
APPENDIX
INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
BORROWING MONEY -- The Fund may borrow money from banks, but only for
temporary or emergency (not leveraging) purposes in an amount up to 15% of
the value of the Fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed) valued
at the lesser of cost or market, less liabilities (not including the amount
borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made. While borrowings exceed 5% of
the Fund's total assets, the Fund will not make any additional investments.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS -- The Fund may purchase Municipal Obligations and other
securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis, which means that
delivery and payment take place a number of days after the date of the
commitment to purchase. The payment obligation and the interest rate
receivable on a forward commitment or when-issued security are fixed when the
Fund enters into the commitment, but the Fund does not make a payment until
it receives delivery from the counterparty. The Fund will commit to purchase
such securities only with the intention of actually acquiring the securities,
but the Fund may sell these securities before the settlement date if it is
deemed advisable. 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 commitments will
be established and maintained at the Fund's custodian bank.
CERTAIN PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
CERTAIN TAX EXEMPT OBLIGATIONS -- The Fund may purchase floating and variable
rate demand notes and bonds, which are tax exempt obligations ordinarily
having stated maturities in excess of 13 months, but which permit the holder
to demand payment of principal at any time or at specified intervals not
exceeding 13 months, in each case upon not more than 30 days' notice.
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 amounts borrowed.
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.
TAX EXEMPT PARTICIPATION INTERESTS -- 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, with remaining maturities
of 13 months or less. If the participation interest is unrated or has been
given a rating below that which otherwise is permissible for purchase by the
Fund, it will be backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of a
bank that the Fund's Board has determined meets the prescribed quality
standards for banks set forth below, or the payment obligation otherwise will
be collateralized by U.S. Government securities. For certain participation
interests, the Fund will have the right to demand payment, on not more than
seven days' notice, for all or any part of the Fund's participation interest
in the Municipal Obligation, plus accrued interest. As to these instruments,
the
Page 21
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.
TENDER OPTION BONDS -- 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 issuer 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.
STAND-BY COMMITMENTS -- 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.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES -- The Fund may invest up to 10% 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.
TAXABLE INVESTMENTS -- 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-2 by Moody's, A-2 by S&P or F-2 by Fitch; certificates of
deposit of U.S. domestic banks, including foreign branches of domestic banks,
with assets of one billion dollars or more; time deposits; bankers'
acceptances and other short-term bank obligations; and repurchase agreements
in respect of any of the foregoing. Dividends paid 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."
Page 22
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. If the Fund
purchases Taxable Investments, it will value them using the amortized cost
method and comply with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 relating to purchases of
taxable instruments. When the Fund has adopted a temporary defensive
position, including when acceptable New York Municipal Obligations are
unavailable for investment by the Fund, in excess of 35% of the Fund's net
assets may be invested in securities that are not exempt from New York State
and New York City income taxes. Under normal market conditions, the Fund
anticipates that not more than 5% of the value of its total assets will be
invested in any one category of Taxable Investments. Taxable Investments are
more fully described in the Statement of Additional Information to which
reference hereby is made.
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
FIRST ALBANY CORPORATION
Service Agent
DREYFUS
General New York
Municipal
Money Market
Fund
Prospectus
(LION LOGO)
Copy Rights 1996 Dreyfus Service Corporation
574p040496
Registration Mark
