File Nos. 33-9654;
811-4884
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. 15 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 15 [X]
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
DREYFUS NEW YORK INSURED 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
Mark N. Jacobs, 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 May 1, 1998 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)
---
---- 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.
----
Dreyfus New York Insured 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 22
5 Management of the Fund 10
5(a) Management's Discussion of Fund's Performance *
6 Capital Stock and Other Securities 22
7 Purchase of Securities Being Offered 11
8 Redemption or Repurchase 16
9 Pending Legal Proceedings *
Items in
Part B of
Form N-1A
- ---------
10 Cover Page Cover
11 Table of Contents Cover
12 General Information and History B-28
13 Investment Objectives and Policies B-2
14 Management of the Fund B-12
15 Control Persons and Principal B-16
Holders of Securities
16 Investment Advisory and Other B-16
Services
_____________________________________
NOTE: * Omitted since answer is negative or inapplicable.
Dreyfus New York Insured 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-26
18 Capital Stock and Other Securities B-28
19 Purchase, Redemption and Pricing B-18, B-20,
of Securities Being Offered B-25
20 Tax Status *
21 Underwriters B-18
22 Calculations of Performance Data B-27
23 Financial Statements B-29
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-10
30 Location of Accounts and Records C-13
31 Management Services C-13
32 Undertakings C-13
_____________________________________
NOTE: * Omitted since answer is negative or inapplicable.
______________________________________________________________________________
PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 1998
DREYFUS NEW YORK INSURED TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
______________________________________________________________________________
DREYFUS NEW YORK INSURED TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND (THE "FUND") IS AN
OPEN-END, NON-DIVERSIFIED, MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY, KNOWN AS A
MUNICIPAL BOND FUND. THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
AS HIGH A LEVEL OF CURRENT INCOME EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL, NEW YORK STATE AND NEW
YORK CITY INCOME TAXES AS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL. THE
FUND INVESTS PRIMARILY IN A PORTFOLIO OF NEW YORK MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS (AS
DEFINED BELOW) THAT ARE INSURED AS TO THE TIMELY PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND
INTEREST BY RECOGNIZED INSURERS OF MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS.
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 MAY 1, 1998, 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. THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
MAINTAINS A WEB SITE (HTTP:// WWW. SEC.GOV) THAT CONTAINS THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, AND OTHER
INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND. FOR A FREE COPY OF THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, 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.
______________________________________________________________________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Fee Table......................................... 3
Condensed Financial Information................... 4
Description of the Fund........................... 5
Management of the Fund............................ 10
How to Buy Shares................................. 11
Shareholder Services.............................. 13
How to Redeem Shares.............................. 16
Service Plan...................................... 19
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes................ 19
Performance Information........................... 21
General Information............................... 22
Appendix.......................................... 23
______________________________________________________________________________
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]
FEE TABLE
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Redemption Fee* (as a percentage of amount redeemed)......... 1.00%
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of average daily net assets)
Management Fees ............................................. .60%
12b-1 Fees (distribution and servicing)...................... .25%
Other Expenses............................................... .14%
Total Fund Operating Expenses................................ .99%
- -------------------------
* Shares held for less than 15 days may be subject to a 1% redemption
fee payable to the Fund. See "How to Redeem Shares."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE: 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
_______ ________ ________ _________
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
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: $10 $32 $55 $121
______________________________________________________________________________
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%.
</TABLE>
______________________________________________________________________________
The purpose of the foregoing table is to assist you in understanding
the costs and expenses borne by the Fund and investors, the payment of which
will reduce investors' annual return. Long-term investors could pay more in
12b-1 fees than the economic equivalent of paying a front-end sales charge.
Certain Service Agents (as defined below) may charge their clients direct
fees for effecting transactions in Fund shares; such fees are not reflected
in the foregoing table. See "Management of the Fund," "How to Buy Shares,"
"How to Redeem Shares" and "Service Plan."
[Page 3]
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The information in the following table has been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, the Fund's independent auditors. Further financial data, related
notes and the report of independent auditors accompany 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.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE DATA:
Net asset value,
beginning of year.... $10.17 $10.56 $10.75 $10.64 $11.33 $11.60 $12.04 $10.66 $11.68 $11.19
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Investment income_net...... .73 .71 .72 .66 .63 .60 .60 .59 .54 .50
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss) on investments.... .39 .19 (.11) .69 .31 .66 (1.39) 1.02 (.31) .30
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS..... 1.12 .90 .61 1.35 .94 1.26 (.79) 1.61 .23 .80
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from investment
income_net.... (.73) (.71) (.72) (.66) (.63) (.60) (.59) (.59) (.54) (.50)
Dividends from net realized
gain on investments.... __ __ __ __ (.04) (.22) __ __ (.18) (.12)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS.. (.73) (.71) (.72) (.66) (.67) (.82) (.59) (.59) (.72) (.62)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value,
end of year.... $10.56 $10.75 $10.64 $11.33 $11.60 $12.04 $10.66 $11.68 $11.19 $11.37
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN.... 11.32% 8.76% 5.91% 13.06% 8.55% 11.08% (6.62%) 15.38% 2.12% 7.41%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets... .23% .50% .50% .88% .90% .96% .98% .99% 1.02% .99%
Ratio of net
investment income
to average net assets... 7.00% 6.64% 6.74% 6.01% 5.49% 5.01% 5.31% 5.20% 4.78% 4.47%
Decrease reflected in
above expense ratios due
to undertakings by
The Dreyfus Corporation... 1.27% .72% .61% .17% .11% .02% .01% __ __ __
Portfolio Turnover Rate... 32.10% 54.18% 63.12% 15.95% 16.12% 19.89% 12.79% 31.13% 84.24% 116.40%
Net Assets, end of year
(000's omitted)... $44,619 $66,384 $92,259 $147,527 $180,326 $198,257 $151,696 $157,317 $142,837 $135,822
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.
</TABLE>
[Page 4]
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund's investment objective is to provide you with as high a
level of current income exempt from Federal, New York State and New York City
income taxes as is consistent with the preservation of capital. To accomplish
its investment objective, the Fund invests primarily in the debt securities
of the State of New York, its political subdivisions, authorities and
corporations, the interest from which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to
the issuer, exempt from Federal, New York State and New York City income
taxes (collectively, "New York Municipal Obligations") that are insured as to
the timely payment of principal and interest by recognized insurers of
Municipal Obligations (as defined below). To the extent acceptable insured
New York Municipal Obligations are at any time unavailable for investment by
the Fund, the Fund will invest temporarily in New York Municipal Obligations
that are not subject to insurance, insured Municipal Obligations and/or other
debt securities the interest from which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to
the issuer, exempt from Federal 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.
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 and 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. Generally, 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
that are insured New York Municipal Obligations. See "Insurance Feature" and
"Investment Considerations and Risks _ Investing in New York Municipal
Obligations" below, and "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
The Municipal Obligations purchased by the Fund will be rated no
lower than Baa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB by
Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or Fitch IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch").
Municipal Obligations rated BBB by S&P or Fitch or Baa by Moody's are
[Page 5]
considered investment grade obligations; those rated BBB by S&P and Fitch are
regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay principal and interest, while
those rated Baa by Moody's are considered medium grade obligations which lack
outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative characteristics
as well. See "Appendix B" in the Statement of Additional Information. 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. The Fund also may invest in Taxable Investments
of the quality described under "Appendix _ Certain Portfolio Securities _
Taxable Investments."
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. See "Investment
Considerations and Risks" below.
The Fund's annual portfolio turnover rate for the current fiscal year
is not expected to exceed 100%. A turnover rate of 100% is equivalent to the
Fund buying and selling all of the securities in its portfolio once in the
course of a year. The Fund may engage in various investment techniques, such
as options and futures transactions and lending portfolio securities. Use of
certain of these techniques may give rise to taxable income. See "Dividends,
Distributions and Taxes." For a discussion of the investment techniques and
their related risks, see "Investment Considerations and Risks" and "Appendix
_ Investment Techniques" below and "Investment Objective and Management
Policies _ Management Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information.
INSURANCE FEATURE
At the time they are purchased by the Fund, the Municipal Obligations
held in the Fund's portfolio that are subject to insurance will be insured as
to timely payment of principal and interest under an insurance policy (i)
purchased by the Fund or by a previous owner of the Municipal Obligation
("Mutual Fund Insurance") or (ii) obtained by the issuer or underwriter of
the Municipal Obligation ("New Issue Insurance"). The insurance of principal
refers to the face or par value of the Municipal Obligation and is not
affected by nor does it insure the price paid therefor by the Fund or the
market value thereof. The value of Fund shares is not insured.
New Issue Insurance is obtained by the issuer of the Municipal
Obligations and all premiums respecting such securities are paid in advance
by such issuer. Such policies are noncancelable and continue in force so long
as the Municipal Obligations are outstanding and the insurer remains in
business.
Certain types of Mutual Fund Insurance obtained by the Fund are
effective only so long as the Fund is in existence, the insurer remains in
business and the Municipal Obligations described in the policy continue to be
held by the Fund. The Fund will pay the premiums with respect to such
insurance. Depending upon the terms of the policy, in the event of a sale of
any Municipal Obligation so insured by the Fund, the Mutual Fund Insurance
may terminate as to such Municipal Obligation on the date of sale and in such
event the insurer may be liable only for those payments of principal and
interest which then are due and owing. Other types of Mutual Fund Insurance
may not have this termination
[Page 6]
feature. The Fund may purchase Municipal Obligations with this type
of insurance from parties other than the issuer and the insurance would
continue for the Fund's benefit.
Typically, the insurer may not withdraw coverage on insured
securities held by the Fund, nor may the insurer cancel the policy for any
reason except failure to pay premiums when due. The insurer may reserve the
right at any time upon 90 days' written notice to the Fund to refuse to
insure any additional Municipal Obligations purchased by the Fund after the
effective date of such notice. The Fund's Board has reserved the right to
terminate the Mutual Fund Insurance policy if it determines that the benefits
to the Fund of having its portfolio insured are not justified by the expense
involved. See "Investment Considerations and Risks _ Investing in Insured
Municipal Obligations" below.
Mutual Fund Insurance and New Issue Insurance have been obtained from
Financial Guaranty Insurance Company ("Financial Guaranty"), MBIA Insurance
Corporation ("MBIA"), Ambac Assurance Corporation ("Ambac Assurance") and
Financial Security Assurance, Inc. ("FSA"), although the Fund may purchase
insurance from, or Municipal Obligations insured by, other insurers.
The following information regarding these insurers has been derived
from information furnished by the insurers. The Fund has not independently
verified any of the information, but the Fund is not aware of facts which
would render such information inaccurate.
Financial Guaranty is a New York stock insurance company regulated by
the New York State Department of Insurance and authorized to provide
insurance in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Financial Guaranty is a
subsidiary of FGIC Corporation, a Delaware holding company, which is a
subsidiary of General Electric Capital Corporation. Financial Guaranty, in
addition to providing insurance for the payment of interest on and principal
of Municipal Obligations held in unit investment trust and mutual fund
portfolios, provides New Issue Insurance and insurance for secondary market
issues of Municipal Obligations and for portions of new and secondary market
issues of Municipal Obligations. As of December 31, 1997, Financial Guaranty
reported total capital and surplus of approximately $1.3 billion and admitted
assets of approximately $2.5 billion. The claims-paying ability of Financial
Guaranty is rated "AAA" by S&P and Fitch and "Aaa" by Moody's.
MBIA, formerly known as Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
Corporation, is the principal operating subsidiary of MBIA Inc., a New York
Stock Exchange listed company. MBIA is domiciled in the State of New York and
licensed to do business in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands,
the Virgin Islands of the United States and theTerritory of Guam. As of
December 31, 1997, MBIA had total assets of $9.8 billion, total liabilities
of $6.8 billion and total shareholders' equity of $3.0 billion, determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles prescribed or
permitted by insurance regulatory authorities. The claims-paying ability of
MBIA is rated "AAA" by S&P and Fitch and "Aaa" by Moody's.
Ambac Assurance is a Wisconsin-domiciled stock insurance corporation,
regulated by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of
Wisconsin and licensed to do business in 50 states, the District of Columbia,
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Territory of Guam. Ambac Assurance is
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ambac Inc., a publicly-held company. Ambac
Assurance had admitted assets of approximately $2.9 billion and statutory
capital of approximately $1.7 billion as of December 31, 1997. Statutory
capital consists of Ambac Assurance's statutory contingency reserve and
policyholders' surplus. The claims-paying ability of Ambac Assurance is rated
"AAA" by S&P and Fitch and "Aaa" by Moody's.
FSA, which acquired Capital Guaranty Insurance Company in December
1995, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Financial Security Assurance Holdings,
Ltd., a New York Stock Exchange listed company. FSA is authorized to provide
insurance in 50 states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories.
As of December 31, 1997, FSA's statutory capital was approximately $781.7
million
[Page 7]
(unaudited) and admitted assets were approximately $1.7 billion (unaudited).
The claims-paying ability of FSA is rated "AAA" by S&P and Fitch and "Aaa" by
Moody's.
Additional information concerning the insurance feature appears in
the Statement of Additional Information to which your attention is directed.
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. 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. Certain
securities purchased by the Fund, such as those rated Baa by Moody's and BBB
by S&P and Fitch, may be subject to such risk with respect to the issuing
entity and to greater market fluctuations than certain lower yielding, higher
rated fixed-income 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 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. See "Appendix _ Certain
Portfolio Securities _ Ratings" below and "Appendix B" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
INVESTING IN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS _ You should consider carefully
the special risks inherent in the Fund's investment in New York Municipal
Obligations. These risks result from the financial condition of New York
State, certain of its public bodies and municipalities and New York City.
Beginning in early 1975, New York State, New York City and other State
entities faced serious financial difficulties which jeopardized the credit
standing and impaired the borrowing abilities of such entities and contributed
to high interest rates on, and lower market prices for, debt obligations
issued by them. A recurrence of such financial difficulties or a failure of
certain financial recovery programs could result in defaults or declines in
the market values of various New York Municipal Obligations in which the Fund
may invest. If there should be a default or other financial crisis relating to
New York State, New York City, a State or City agency, or a State
municipality, the market value and marketability of outstanding New York
Municipal Obligations in the Fund's portfolio and the interest income to the
Fund could be adversely affected. Moreover, the national recession and the
significant slowdown in the New York regional economies in the early 1990's
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
recent fiscal years. For its fiscal year periods 1993 through 1997, the State
recorded balanced budgets on a cash basis, with substantial fund balances in
the General Fund in fiscal 1992-93 and 1993-94 and smaller fund balances in
fiscal 1994-95 and 1995-96. The State completed its 1996-97 fiscal year in
balance on a cash basis with a General Fund cash surplus of approximately
$1.4 billion. 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 its ratings of 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. S&P also lowered its
ratings of various agency debt, State moral obligations, contractual
obligations, lease purchase obligations and State guarantees. In February
1991, Moody's lowered its rating of New York City's general obligation bonds
from A to Baal. The rating changes reflected the rating agencies' concerns
about the financial condition of New York State and
[Page 8]
City, the heavy debt load of the State and City and economic uncertainties in
the region. In March 1998, Moody's changed its rating on New York City's
general obligation bonds from Baa toA3. 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 INSURED MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS _ The insurance feature is
intended to reduce financial risk, but the cost thereof and the restrictions
on investments imposed by the guidelines in the insurance policy will result
in a reduction in the yield on the Municipal Obligations purchased by the
Fund.
Because coverage under certain Mutual Fund Insurance policies may
terminate upon sale of a security from the Fund's portfolio, insurance with
this termination feature should not be viewed as assisting the marketability
of securities in the Fund's portfolio, whether or not the securities are in
default or subject to a serious risk of default. The Dreyfus Corporation
intends to retain any Municipal Obligations subject to such insurance which
are in default or, in the view of The Dreyfus Corporation, in significant
risk of default and to recommend to the Fund's Board that the Fund place a
value on the insurance which will be equal to the difference between the
market value of the defaulted security and the market value of similar
securities of minimum investment grade (i.e., rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by
S&P or Fitch) which are not in default. To the extent the Fund holds
defaulted securities subject to Mutual Fund Insurance with this termination
feature, it may be limited in its ability in certain circumstances to
purchase other Municipal Obligations. While a defaulted Municipal Obligation
is held in the Fund's portfolio, the Fund continues to pay the insurance
premium thereon but also is entitled to collect interest payments from the
insurer and retains the right to collect the full amount of principal from
the insurer when the security comes due.
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.
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.
USE OF DERIVATIVES _ The Fund may invest in, or enter into, derivatives
("Derivatives"). These are financial instruments which derive their
performance, at least in part, from the performance of an underlying
[Page 9]
asset, index or interest rate. The Derivatives the Fund may use include
options and futures. While Derivatives can be used effectively in furtherance
of the Fund's investment objective, under certain market conditions, they can
increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value, decrease the liquidity
of the Fund's portfolio and make more difficult the accurate pricing of the
Fund's portfolio. See "Appendix_Investment Techniques_Use of Derivatives"
below and "Investment Objective and Management Policies _ Management Policies
_ Derivatives" in the Statement of Additional Information.
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 securities
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. If, however, 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.
Year 2000 Risks _ Like other mutual funds, financial and business
organizations and individuals around the world, the Fund could be adversely
affected if the computer systems used by The Dreyfus Corporation and the
Fund's other service providers do not properly process and calculate
date-related information and data from and after January 1, 2000. This is
commonly known as the "Year 2000 Problem." The Dreyfus Corporation is taking
steps to address the Year 2000 Problem with respect to the computer systems
that it uses and to obtain assurances that comparable steps are being taken
by the Fund's other major service providers. At this time, however, there can
be no assurance that these steps will be sufficient to avoid any adverse
impact on 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
MellonBank, N.A., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MellonBank
Corporation ("Mellon"). As of March 31, 1998, The Dreyfus Corporation managed
or administered approximately $100 billion in assets for approximately 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. The Fund's primary portfolio manager is Richard J.
Moynihan. He has held that position since October 1996 and has been employed
by The Dreyfus Corporation since 1973 where, since August 1994, he has served
as Director of Municipal Portfolio Management. The Fund's other portfolio
managers are identified in the Statement of Additional Information. The
Dreyfus Corporation also provides research services for the Fund and 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
[Page 10]
provides a comprehensive range of financial products and services in domestic
and selected international markets. Mellon is among the twenty-five largest
bank holding companies in the United States based on total assets. Mellon's
principal wholly-owned subsidiaries are Mellon Bank, N.A., Mellon Bank (DE)
National Association, Mellon Bank (MD), The Boston Company, Inc., AFCO Credit
Corporation and a number of companies known as Mellon Financial Services
Corporations. Through its subsidiaries, including The Dreyfus Corporation,
Mellon managed more than $305 billion in assets as of December 31, 1997,
including approximately $104 billion in proprietary mutual fund assets. As of
December 31, 1997, Mellon, through various subsidiaries, provided
non-investment services, such as custodial or administration services, for
more than $1.532 trillion in assets, including approximately $60 billion in
mutual fund assets.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, 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
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 managed, advised or administered 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 60 State Street, 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 are sold without a sales charge. You may be charged a fee
if you effect transactions in Fund shares through a securities dealer
("Selected Dealer"), bank or other financial institution (collectively,
"Service Agents"). 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.
See "Appendix _ Additional Information About Purchases, Exchanges and
Redemptions."
The minimum initial investment is $2,500, or $1,000 if you are a
client of a Service Agent which maintains an omnibus account in the Fund and
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 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
[Page 11]
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 accounts, 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 BuilderRegistration Mark, 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
subsequent investments should be made by third party check. Purchase orders
may be delivered in person only to a Dreyfus Financial Center. THESE ORDERS
WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE FUND AND WILL BE PROCESSED ONLY UPON RECEIPT THEREBY.
For the location of the nearest Dreyfus Financial Center, please call one of
the telephone numbers listed under "General Information."
Wire payments may be made if your bank account is in a commercial
bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System or any other bank having
a correspondent bank in New York City. Immediately available funds may be
transmitted by wire to The Bank of New York, DDA#8900052198/Dreyfus New York
Insured 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 Account Application and promptly mail the Account Application
to the Fund, as no redemptions will be permitted until the Account
Application is received. You may obtain further information about remitting
funds in this manner from your bank. All payments should be made in U.S.
dollars and, to avoid fees and delays, should be drawn only on U.S. banks. A
charge will be imposed if any check used for investment in your account does
not clear. Other purchase procedures may be in effect for clients of certain
Service Agents. The Fund makes available to certain large institutions the
ability to issue purchase instructions through compatible computer
facilities.
Subsequent investments also may be made by electronic transfer of
funds from an account maintained in a bank or other domestic financial
institution that is an Automated Clearing House member. You must direct the
institution to transmit immediately available funds through the Automated
Clearing House to The Bank of New York with instructions to credit your Fund
account. The instructions must specify your Fund account registration and
your Fund account number PRECEDED BY THE DIGITS "1111."
Management understands that some Service Agents may impose certain
conditions on their clients which are different from those described in this
Prospectus, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory
authorities, may charge their clients direct fees. You should consult your
Service Agent in this regard.
[Page 12]
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 or other entity authorized to receive orders on behalf of the
Fund. 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 each business day by an
independent pricing service approved by the Fund's Board 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 Fund's Board. 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 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 Account Application or have
filed a Shareholder Services Form with the Transfer Agent. The proceeds will
be transferred between the bank account designated in one of these documents
and your Fund account. Only a bank account maintained in a domestic financial
institution which is an Automated Clearing House member may be so designated.
The Fund may modify or terminate this Privilege at any time or charge a
service fee upon notice to shareholders. No such fee currently is
contemplated.
If you have selected the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege, you may
request a Dreyfus TELETRANSFER purchase of Fund shares by calling
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.
FUND EXCHANGES _ You may purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund,
shares of certain other funds managed or administered by The Dreyfus
Corporation, to the extent such shares are offered for sale in your state of
residence. These funds have different investment objectives which may be of
interest to you. If you desire to use this service, you should consult your
Service Agent or call 1-800-645-6561 to determine if it is available and
whether any conditions are imposed on its use.
To request an exchange, you or your Service Agent acting on your
behalf must give exchange instructions to the Transfer Agent in writing or by
telephone. Before any exchange, you must obtain and should review a copy of
the current prospectus of the fund into which the exchange is being made.
Prospectuses may be obtained by calling 1-800-645-6561. Except in the case of
personal retirement plans, the shares being exchanged must have a current
value of at least $500; furthermore, when establishing a new account by
exchange, the shares being exchanged must have a value of at least the
minimum initial investment required for the fund into which the exchange is
being made. The ability to issue exchange instructions by telephone is given
to all Fund shareholders automatically, unless you 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, by a separate signed Shareholder Services Form, available by calling
1-800-645-6561, or by oral request from any of the authorized signatories on
the account by calling 1-800-645-6561. If you have established the
[Page 13]
Telephone Exchange Privilege, you may telephone exchange instructions
(including over The Dreyfus TouchRegistration Mark automated
telephone system) by calling 1-800-645-6561. 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, Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege, and the
dividend/capital gain distribution option (except for Dreyfus Dividend Sweep)
selected by the investor.
The Fund will impose a redemption fee equal to 1% of the net asset
value of Fund shares exchanged out of the Fund where the exchange is made
less than 15 days after issuance of such shares. See "How to Redeem Shares."
Otherwise, 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
administrative 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. See "Appendix _ Additional Information About
Purchases, Exchanges and Redemptions." The availability of Fund Exchanges may
be modified or terminated at any time upon notice to shareholders. See
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
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 certain other funds
in the Dreyfus Family of Funds of which you are a shareholder. 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 day 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 canceled 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 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 a Dreyfus 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.
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
[Page 14]
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. 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 this
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 BuilderRegistration Mark, 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 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 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 dividends or dividends
and capital gain
[Page 15]
distributions, if any, from the Fund to a designated bank account. Only an
account maintained at a 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 to 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 Automatic
Withdrawal Plan may be established by filing an Automatic Withdrawal Plan
application with the Transfer Agent or by oral request from any of the
authorized signatories on the account 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 by the Transfer Agent or other entity
authorized to receive orders on behalf of the Fund, the Fund will redeem the
shares at the next determined net asset value. See "Appendix _ Additional
Information About Purchases, Exchanges and Redemptions."
The Fund will deduct a redemption fee equal to 1% of the net asset
value of Fund shares redeemed or exchanged less than 15 days following the
issuance of such shares. The fee will be retained by the Fund and used
primarily to offset the transaction costs that short-term trading imposes on
the Fund and its shareholders. For purposes of calculating the 15-day holding
period, the Fund will employ the "first in, first out" method, which assumes
that the shares redeemed or exchanged are the ones you have held the longest.
No redemption fee will be charged upon the redemption of shares (1) through
the Fund's Check Redemption Privilege, Automatic Withdrawal Plan or Dreyfus
Auto-Exchange Privilege, (2) through accounts that are reflected on the
records of the Transfer Agent as omnibus accounts approved by Dreyfus Service
Corporation, (3) through accounts established by Service Agents approved by
Dreyfus Service Corporation that utilize the National Securities Clearing
Corporation's networking system, or (4) acquired through the reinvestment of
dividends or distributions. The redemption fee may be waived, modified or
terminated at any time. Service Agents may charge their clients a 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 BUILDERRegistration
Mark AND SUBSEQUENTLY SUBMIT A WRITTEN REDEMPTION REQUEST TO THE TRANSFER
AGENT, THE REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
[Page 16]
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 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 Fund shares by using the regular redemption procedure
through the Transfer Agent, or through the Check Redemption Privilege or the
Telephone Redemption Privilege, which are granted automatically unless you
specifically refuse them by checking the applicable "No" box on the Account
Application. The Check Redemption Privilege and the Telephone Redemption
Privilege may be established for an existing account by a separate signed
Shareholder Services Form or, with respect to the Telephone Redemption
Privilege, by oral request from any of the authorized signatories on the
account by calling 1-800-645-6561. You also may redeem shares through the
Wire Redemption Privilege or the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege, 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. If you are a client of a Selected Dealer, you may redeem
shares through the Selected Dealer. 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 is
currently contemplated. Shares for which certificates have been issued are
not eligible for the Check Redemption, Wire Redemption, Telephone Redemption
or Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege.
The Telephone Redemption Privilege or Telephone Exchange Privilege
authorizes the Transfer Agent to act on telephone instructions (including
over The Dreyfus TouchRegistration Mark automated telephone system) 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
[Page 17]
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 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. Potential fluctuations in the net asset
value of Fund shares should be considered in determining the amount of the
check. Redemption Checks should not be used to close your account. Redemption
Checks are free, but the Transfer Agent will impose a fee for stopping
payment of a Redemption Check upon your request or if the Transfer Agent
cannot honor the Redemption Check due to insufficient funds or other valid
reason. You should date your Redemption Checks with the current date when you
write them. Please do not 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. This
Privilege will be terminated immediately, without notice, with respect to any
account which is, or becomes, subject to backup withholding on redemptions.
See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes." Any redemption check written on an
account which has become subject to backup withholding on redemptions will
not be honored by the Transfer Agent. The Check Redemption Privilege is
granted automatically unless you refuse it.
WIRE REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE _ You may request by wire, telephone or letter
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. 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. The
Telephone Redemption Privilege is granted automatically unless you refuse it.
DREYFUS 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
[Page 18]
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. Holders of jointly
registered Fund or bank accounts may redeem through the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER
Privilege for transfer to their bank account not more than $250,000 within any
30-day period.
If you have selected the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege, you may
request a Dreyfus TELETRANSFER redemption of shares by calling 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 by the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock
Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time), the redemption request will be
effective on that day. If a redemption request is received by the Transfer
Agent after the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange,
the redemption request will be effective on the next business day. It is the
responsibility of the Selected Dealer to transmit a request so that it is
received in a timely manner. The proceeds of the redemption are credited to
your account with the Selected Dealer. See "How to Buy Shares" for a
discussion of additional conditions or fees that may be imposed upon
redemption.
SERVICE PLAN
Under the Service Plan, adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
1940 Act, the Fund (a) reimburses the Distributor for payments to certain
Service Agents for distributing the Fund's shares and servicing shareholder
accounts ("Servicing") and (b) pays The Dreyfus Corporation, Dreyfus Service
Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dreyfus Corporation, and any
affiliate of either of them (collectively, "Dreyfus") for advertising and
marketing relating to the Fund and for Servicing, at an aggregate annual rate
of .25 of 1% of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets. Each of the
Distributor and Dreyfus may pay one or more Service Agents a fee in respect
of the Fund's shares owned by shareholders with whom the Service Agent has a
Servicing relationship or for whom the Service Agent is the dealer or holder
of record. Each of the Distributor and Dreyfus determine the amounts, if any,
to be paid to Service Agents under the Service Plan and the basis on which
such payments are made. The fees payable under the Service Plan are payable
without regard to actual expenses incurred.
The Fund also bears the costs of preparing and printing prospectuses
and statements of additional information used for regulatory purposes and for
distribution to existing shareholders. Under the Service Plan, the Fund bears
(a) the costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and
statements of additional information used for other purposes, and (b) the
costs associated with implementing and operating the Service Plan (such as
costs of printing and mailing service agreements), the aggregate of such
amounts not to exceed in any fiscal year of the Fund the greater of $100,000
or .005 of 1% of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets for such
fiscal year. Each item for which a payment may be made under the Service Plan
may constitute an expense of distributing Fund shares as the Securities and
Exchange Commission construes such term under Rule 12b-1.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
The Fund ordinarily declares dividends from net investment income on
each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. The Fund's
earnings for Saturdays, Sundays and holidays are declared as dividends on the
next business day. 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. 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
[Page 19]
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 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 invest in additional Fund shares at net asset value. If you elect
to receive dividends and distributions in cash and your dividend or
distribution check is returned to the Fund as undeliverable or remains
uncashed for six months, the Fund reserves the right to reinvest such
dividend or distribution and all future dividends and distributions payable
to you in additional Fund shares at net asset value. No interest will accrue
on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks. 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, New York State or New York City income taxes.
To the extent you are obligated to pay state or local taxes outside of the
State of New York, 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 or not reinvested in additional 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 subject to
Federal income tax as long-term capital gains if you are a citizen or
resident of the United States. Dividends and distributions from gain derived
from securities transactions and from the use of the investment techniques
described under "Appendix_Investment Techniques" also will be subject to
Federal income tax. The Code provides that an individual generally will be
taxed on his or her net capital gain at a maximum rate of 28% with respect to
capital gain from securities held for more than one year but not more than 18
months and at a maximum rate of 20% with respect to capital gain from
securities held for more than 18 months. 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.
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 or (ii) a factor in determining the extent to
which a shareholder's Social Security benefits are taxable. If the Fund
purchases such securities, the portion of the Fund's dividends related
thereto will not necessarily be tax exempt to an investor who is subject to
the alternative minimum tax and/or tax on Social Security benefits and may
cause an investor to be subject to such taxes.
Notice as to the tax status of your dividends and distributions will
be mailed to you annually. You also will receive periodic summaries of your
account which will include information as to dividends and distributions from
securities gains, if any, paid during the year. These statements set forth
the dollar amount of income exempt from Federal tax and the dollar amount, if
any, subject to Federal tax. These dollar amounts will vary depending on the
size and length of time of your investment in the Fund. If the Fund pays
dividends derived from taxable income, it intends to designate as taxable the
same percentage of the day's dividend as the actual taxable income earned on
that day
[Page 20]
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.
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, IRS individual taxpayer
identification number or employee 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 December 31, 1997 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. In
addition, the Fund is subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax, measured
with respect to certain undistributed amounts of taxable investment income
and capital gain.
You should consult your tax adviser regarding specific questions as
to Federal, state or local taxes.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
For purposes of advertising, performance may be calculated on several
bases, including current yield, tax equivalent yield, average annual total
return and/or total return.
Current yield refers to the Fund's annualized net investment income
per share over a 30-day period, expressed as a percentage of the net asset
value per share at the end of the period. For purposes of calculating current
yield, the amount of net investment income per share during that 30-day
period, computed in accordance with regulatory requirements, is compounded by
assuming that it is reinvested at a constant rate over a six-month period. An
identical result is then assumed to have occurred during a second six-month
period which, when added to the result for the first six months, provides an
"annualized" yield for an entire 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.
[Page 21]
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 September 19, 1986, and
commenced operations on February 18, 1987. The Fund is authorized to issue an
unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, par value $.001 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 Board member. 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 described 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
Board members.
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., call
516-794-5452.
[Page 22]
APPENDIX
INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
BORROWING MONEY _ The Fund is permitted to borrow to the extent permitted
under the 1940 Act, which permits an investment company to borrow in an
amount up to 33 1\3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund currently
intends to borrow money only for temporary or emergency (not leveraging)
purposes, in an amount up to 15% of the value of its 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.
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES _ TheFund may lend securities from its
portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing to
borrow securities to complete certain transactions. The Fund continues to be
entitled to payments in amounts equal to the interest or other distributions
payable on the loaned securities which affords the Fund an opportunity to
earn interest on the amount of the loan and on the loaned securities'
collateral. Loans of portfolio securities may not exceed 33 1\3% of the value
of the Fund's total assets, and 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. Such loans are terminable by
the Fund 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.
USE OF DERIVATIVES _ The Fund may invest in, or enter into, the types of
Derivatives enumerated under "Description of the Fund _ Investment
Considerations and Risks _ Use of Derivatives." These instruments and
certain related risks are described more specifically under "Investment
Objective and Management Policies _ Management Policies _ Derivatives" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
Derivatives may entail investment exposures that are greater than
their cost would suggest, meaning that a small investment in Derivatives
could have a large potential impact on the Fund's performance.
If the Fund invests in Derivatives at inopportune times or judges
market conditions incorrectly, such investments may lower the Fund's return
or result in a loss. The Fund also could experience losses if its Derivatives
were poorly correlated with its other investments, or if the Fund were unable
to liquidate its position because of an illiquid secondary market. The market
for many Derivatives is, or suddenly can become, illiquid. Changes in
liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the
prices for Derivatives.
Although the Fund is not a commodity pool, certain Derivatives
subject the Fund to the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
which limit the extent to which the Fund can invest in such Derivatives. The
Fund may invest in futures contracts and options with respect thereto for
hedging purposes without limit. However, the Fund may not invest in such
contracts and options for other purposes if the sum of the amount of initial
margin deposits and premiums paid for unexpired options with respect to such
contracts, other than bona fide hedging purposes, exceeds 5% of the
liquidation value of the Fund's assets, after taking into account unrealized
profits and unrealized losses on such contracts and options; provided,
however, that in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of
purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5%
limitation.
The Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets, represented by the
premium paid, in the purchase of call options. When required by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund will set aside permissible
liquid assets in a segregated account to cover its obligations relating to
its transactions in Derivatives. To
[Page 23]
maintain this required cover, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities
at disadvantageous prices or times since it may not be possible to liquidate
a Derivative position at a reasonable price.
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 within 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 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. The Fund will set aside in a segregated account permissible liquid
assets at least equal at all times to the amount of the commitments. 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.
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 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 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. If the participation
interest is unrated, it will be backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or
guarantee of a bank that the Fund's Board has determined meets prescribed
quality standards for banks, or the payment obligation otherwise will be
collateralized by U.S. Government securities. For certain participation
interests, the Fund will have the right to demand payment, on not more than
seven days' notice, for all or any part of the Fund's participation interest
in the Municipal Obligation, plus accrued interest. As to these instruments,
the Fund intends to exercise its right to demand payment only upon a default
under the terms of the Municipal Obligation, as needed to provide liquidity
to meet redemptions, or to maintain or improve the quality of its investment
portfolio.
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
[Page 24]
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 Obligation and
for other reasons.
CUSTODIAL RECEIPTS _ 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.
In no event will the aggregate interest paid with respect to the two classes
exceed the interest paid by the underlying Municipal Obligations. The value
of the second class and similar securities should be expected to fluctuate
more than the value of a Municipal Obligation of comparable quality and
maturity and their purchase by the Fund should increase the volatility of its
net asset value and, thus, its price per share. These custodial receipts are
sold in private placements. The Fund also may purchase directly from issuers,
and not in a private placement, Municipal Obligations having characteristics
similar to custodial receipts. These securities may be issued as part of a
multi-class offering and the interest rate on certain classes may be subject
to a cap or floor.
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 its portfolio liquidity and does not intend to exercise its rights
thereunder for trading purposes. The Fund may pay for stand-by commitments if
such action is deemed necessary, thus increasing to a degree the cost of the
underlying Municipal Obligation and similarly decreasing such security's
yield to investors. 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 Fund of a call option that it owns on a
specific Municipal Obligation could result in the receipt of taxable income
by the Fund.
ZERO COUPON SECURITIES _ 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,
[Page 25]
prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security and perceived credit
quality of the issuer. Zero coupon securities also may take the form of debt
securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, the
coupons themselves and receipts or certificates representing interest in such
stripped debt obligations and coupons. The market prices of zero coupon
securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities
that pay interest periodically and are likely to respond to a greater degree
to changes in interest rates than non-zero coupon securities having similar
maturities and credit qualities.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES _ 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.
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-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 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 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.
RATINGS _ Obligations which are rated Baa are considered medium grade
obligations; they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured, and are
considered by Moody's to have speculative characteristics. Bonds rated BBB by
S&P are regarded as having adequate capacity to pay interest and repay
principal, and while such bonds normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for
bonds in this category than in higher rated categories. Bonds rated BBB by
Fitch are considered to be of satisfactory credit quality; while 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. 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
[Page 26]
principal payments, they do not evaluate the market value risk of these
bonds. 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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES, EXCHANGES AND REDEMPTIONS.
The Fund is intended to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not designed
to provide investors with a means of speculation on short-term market
movements. A pattern of frequent purchases and exchanges can be disruptive to
efficient portfolio management and, consequently, can be detrimental to the
Fund's performance and its shareholders. Accordingly, if the Fund's
management determines that an investor is engaged in excessive trading, the
Fund, with or without prior notice, may temporarily or permanently terminate
the availability of Fund Exchanges, or reject in whole or part any purchase
or exchange request, with respect to such investor's account. Such investors
also may be barred from purchasing other funds in the Dreyfus Family of
Funds. Generally, an investor who makes more than four exchanges out of the
Fund during any calendar year (for calendar year 1998, beginning on January
15th) or who makes exchanges that appear to coincide with an active
market-timing strategy may be deemed to be engaged in excessive trading.
Accounts under common ownership or control will be considered as one account
for purposes of determining a pattern of excessive trading. In addition, the
Fund may refuse or restrict purchase or exchange requests by any person or
group if, in the judgment of the Fund's management, the Fund would be unable
to invest the money effectively in accordance with its investment objective
and policies or could otherwise be adversely affected or if the Fund receives
or anticipates receiving simultaneous orders that may significantly affect
the Fund (e.g., amounts equal to 1% or more of the Fund's total assets). If
an exchange request is refused, the Fund will take no other action with
respect to the shares until it receives further instructions from the
investor. The Fund may delay forwarding redemption proceeds for up to seven
days if the investor redeeming shares is engaged in excessive trading or if
the amount of the redemption request otherwise would be disruptive to
efficient portfolio management or would adversely affect the Fund. The Fund's
policy on excessive trading applies to investors who invest in the Fund
directly or through financial intermediaries, but does not apply to the
Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege, to any automatic investment or withdrawal
privilege described herein, or to participants in employer-sponsored
retirement plans.
During times of drastic economic or market conditions, the Fund may
suspend the Fund Exchanges temporarily without notice and treat exchange
requests based on their separate components _ redemption orders with a
simultaneous request to purchase the other fund's shares. In such a case, the
redemption request would be processed at the Fund's next determined net asset
value but the purchase order would be effective only at the net asset value
next determined after the fund being purchased receives the proceeds of the
redemption, which may result in the purchase being delayed.
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN THE
FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER OF THE FUND'S
SHARES, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST
NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND. THIS PROSPECTUS
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM,
SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
[Page 27]
New York Insured
Tax Exempt
Bond Fund
Prospectus
Registration Mark
Copy Rights 1998 Dreyfus Service Corporation
577p0598
[Page 28]
_____________________________________________________________________________
DREYFUS NEW YORK INSURED TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
PART B
(STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
MAY 1, 1998
____________________________________________________________________________
This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus,
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus of
Dreyfus New York Insured Tax Exempt Bond Fund (the "Fund"), dated May 1,
1998, 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. -- 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-12
Management Agreement....................................... B-16
Purchase of Shares......................................... B-18
Service Plan............................................... B-19
Redemption of Share........................................ B-20
Shareholder Services....................................... B-22
Determination of Net Asset Value........................... B-25
Portfolio Transactions..................................... B-26
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes......................... B-26
Performance Information.................................... B-27
Information About the Fund................................. B-28
Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent, Custodian,
Counsel and Independent Auditors......................... B-29
Financial Statements and Report of Independent Auditors.... B-29
Appendix A................................................. B-30
Appendix B................................................. B-44
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND MANAGEMENT POLICIES
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the sections in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Description of the
Fund" and "Appendix."
Portfolio Securities
- --------------------
Municipal Obligations. The average distribution of investments (at
value) in Municipal Obligations by ratings for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997, computed on a monthly basis, was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fitch IBCA, Inc. Moody's Investors Standard & Poor's Percentage
("Fitch") or Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Ratings Group ("S&P") of Value
- ---------------- ------------------------- -------------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
AAA Aaa AAA 91.5%
F-1 MIG 1, P1 SP-1, A1 8.5%
-----
100.0%
======
</TABLE>
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 obligations are tax exempt
obligations ordinarily having stated maturities in excess of one year, but
which permit the holder to demand payment of principal at any time, or at
specified intervals. The issuer of such obligations ordinarily has a
corresponding right, after a given period, to prepay in its discretion the
outstanding principal amount of the obligations plus accrued interest upon a
specified number of days' notice to the holders thereof. The interest rate
on a floating rate demand obligation is based on a known lending rate, such
as a bank's prime rate, and is adjusted automatically each time such rate is
adjusted. The interest rate on a variable rate demand obligation is
adjusted automatically at specified intervals.
The yields on Municipal Obligations are dependent on a variety of
factors, including general economic and monetary conditions, money market
factors, conditions in the Municipal Obligations market, size of a
particular offering, maturity of the obligation and rating of the issue.
The imposition of the Fund's management fee, as well as other operating
expenses, including fees paid under the Service Plan, will have the effect
of reducing the yield to investors.
Municipal lease obligations or installment purchase contract
obligations (collectively, "lease obligations") have special risks not
ordinarily associated with Municipal Obligations. Although lease
obligations do not constitute general obligations of the municipality for
which the municipality's taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation
ordinarily is backed by the municipality's covenant to budget for,
appropriate and make the payments due under the lease obligation. However,
certain lease obligations contain "non-appropriation" clauses which provide
that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment
purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such
purpose on a yearly basis. Although "non-appropriation" lease obligations
are secured by the leased property, disposition of the property in the event
of foreclosure might prove difficult. The staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission currently considers certain lease obligations to be
illiquid. Determination as to the liquidity of such securities is made in
accordance with guidelines established by the Fund's Board. Pursuant to
such guidelines, the Board has directed the Manager to monitor carefully the
Fund's investment in such securities with particular regard to (1) the
frequency of trades and quotes for the lease obligation; (2) the number of
dealers willing to purchase or sell the lease obligation and the number of
other potential buyers; (3) the willingness of dealers to undertake to make
a market in the lease obligation; (4) the nature of the marketplace trades
including the time needed to dispose of the lease obligation, the method of
soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer; and (5) such other factors
concerning the trading market for the lease obligation as the Manager may
deem relevant. In addition, in evaluating the liquidity and credit quality
of a lease obligation that is unrated, the Fund's Board has directed the
Manager to consider; (a) whether the lease can be cancelled; (b) what
assurance there is that the assets represented by the lease can be sold; (c)
the strength of the leasee's general credit (e.g., its debt, administrative,
economic, and financial characteristics); (d) the likelihood that the
municipality will discontinue appropriating funding for the leased property
because the property is no longer deemed essential to the operations of the
municipality (e.g., the potential for an "event of nonappropriation"); (e)
the legal recourse in the event of failure to appropriate; and (f) such
other factors concerning credit quality as the Manager may deem relevant.
The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in
lease obligations that are illiquid and in other illiquid securities. 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.
Insurance Feature. The Mutual Fund Insurance policies provide for a
policy period of one year which the insurer typically renews for successive
annual periods at the request of the Fund for so long as the Fund is in
compliance with the terms of the relevant policy. The insurance premiums
are payable monthly by the Fund and are adjusted for purchases and sales of
covered Municipal Obligations during the month on a daily basis. Premium
rates for each issue of Municipal Obligations covered by the Mutual Fund
Insurance are fixed for as long as the Fund owns the security, although
similar Municipal Obligations purchased at different times may have
different premiums. In addition to the payment of premiums, each Mutual
Fund Insurance policy requires that the Fund notify the insurer on a daily
basis as to all Municipal Obligations in the insured portfolio and permits
the insurer to audit its records. The insurer cannot cancel coverage
already in force with respect to Municipal Obligations owned by the Fund and
covered by the Mutual Fund Insurance policy, except for nonpayment of
premiums.
Municipal Obligations are eligible for Mutual Fund Insurance if, at the
time of purchase by the Fund, they are identified separately or by category
in qualitative guidelines furnished by the insurer and are in compliance
with the aggregate limitations set forth in such guidelines. Premium
variations are based in part on the rating of the security being insured at
the time the Fund purchases such security. The insurer may prospectively
withdraw particular securities from the classifications of securities
eligible for insurance or change the aggregate amount limitation of each
issue or category of eligible Municipal Obligations but must continue to
insure the full amount of such securities previously acquired so long as
they remain in the Fund's portfolio. The qualitative guidelines and
aggregate amount limitations established by the insurer from time to time
will not necessarily be the same as the Fund or the Manager would use to
govern selection of securities for the Fund's portfolio. Therefore, from
time to time such guidelines and limitations may affect portfolio decisions.
New Issue Insurance provides that in the event of a municipality's
failure to make payment of principal or interest on an insured Municipal
Obligation, the payment will be made promptly by the insurer. There are no
deductible clauses or cancellation provisions, and the tax exempt status of
the securities is not affected. The premiums, whether paid by the issuing
municipality or the municipal bond dealer underwriting the issue, are paid
in full for the life of the Municipal Obligation. The statement of
insurance is attached to or printed on the instrument evidencing the
Municipal Obligation purchased by the Fund and becomes part of the Municipal
Obligation. The benefits of the insurance accompany the Municipal
Obligations in any resale.
The Fund, at its option, may purchase secondary market insurance
("Secondary Market Insurance") on any Municipal Obligation purchased by the
Fund. By purchasing Secondary Market Insurance, the Fund would obtain, upon
payment of a single premium, insurance against nonpayment of scheduled
principal and interest for the remaining term of the Municipal Obligation
regardless of whether the Fund then owned such security. Such insurance
coverage would be non-cancellable and would continue in force so long as the
security so insured is outstanding and the insurer remains in business. The
purpose of acquiring Secondary Market Insurance would be to enable the Fund
to sell a Municipal Obligation to a third party as a high rated insured
Municipal Obligation at a market price greater than what otherwise might be
obtainable if the security were sold without the insurance coverage.
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 and the creditworthiness of the issuers of such
securities based upon financial and other available information. See
"Appendix B."
Illiquid Securities. Where a substantial market of qualified
institutional buyers develops for certain restricted securities purchased by
the Fund pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Fund intends to treat such securities as liquid securities in accordance
with procedures approved by the Fund's Board. 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 has directed the Manager to monitor
carefully the Fund's investments in such securities with particular regard
to trading activity, availability of stable 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 are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Treasury; others by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S.
Treasury; others by discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to
purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and others
only by the credit of the agency or instrumentality. These securities bear
fixed, floating or variable rates of interest. 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.
Commercial paper consists of short-term, unsecured promissory notes
issued to finance short-term credit needs.
Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates representing the
obligation of a bank to repay funds deposited with it for a specified period
of time.
Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking
institution for a specified period of time (in no event longer than seven
days) at a stated interest rate. Investments in time deposits generally are
limited to London branches of domestic banks that have total assets in
excess of one billion dollars. Time deposits which may be held by the Fund
will not benefit from insurance from the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings
Association Insurance Fund administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation.
Bankers' acceptances are credit instruments evidencing the obligation
of a bank to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments
reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the drawer to pay the face
amount of the instrument upon maturity. Other short-term obligations may
include uninsured, direct obligations bearing fixed, floating or variable
interest rates.
In a repurchase agreement, the Fund buys, and the seller agrees to
repurchase, a security at a mutually agreed upon time and price (usually
within seven days). The repurchase agreement thereby determines the yield
during the purchaser's holding period, while the seller's obligation to
repurchase is secured by the value of the underlying security. 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 $1 billion, 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. Repurchase agreements could
involve risks in the event of a default or insolvency of the other party to
the agreement, including possible delays or restrictions upon the Fund's
ability to dispose of the underlying security.
Management Policies
Lending Portfolio Securities. In connection with its securities
lending transactions, 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 dividends, 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.
Derivatives. The Fund may invest in, or enter into, Derivatives (as
defined in the Fund's Prospectus) for a variety of reasons, including to
hedge certain market risks, to provide a substitute for purchasing or
selling particular securities or to increase potential income gain.
Derivatives may provide a cheaper, quicker or more specifically focused way
for the Fund to invest than "traditional" securities would.
Derivatives can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of
risk, depending upon the characteristics of the particular Derivative and
the portfolio as a whole. Derivatives permit the Fund to increase or
decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, to which
its portfolio is exposed in much the same way as the Fund can increase or
decrease the level of risk, or change the character of the risk, of its
portfolio by making investments in specific securities.
Derivatives may be purchased on established exchanges or through
privately negotiated transactions referred to as over-the-counter
Derivatives. Exchange-traded Derivatives generally are guaranteed by the
clearing agency which is the issuer or counterparty to such Derivatives.
This guarantee usually is supported by a daily payment system (i.e.,
variation margin requirements) operated by the clearing agency in order to
reduce overall credit risk. As a result, unless the clearing agency
defaults, there is relatively little counterparty credit risk associated
with Derivatives purchased on an exchange. By contrast, no clearing agency
guarantees over-the-counter Derivatives. Therefore, each party to an over-
the-counter Derivative bears the risk that the counterparty will default.
Accordingly, the Manager will consider the creditworthiness of
counterparties to over-the-counter Derivatives in the same manner as it
would review the credit quality of a security to be purchased by the Fund.
Over-the-counter Derivatives are less liquid than exchange-traded
Derivatives since the other party to the transaction may be the only
investor with sufficient understanding of the Derivatives to be interested
in bidding for it.
Futures Transactions--In General. The Fund may enter into futures contracts
in U.S. domestic markets, such as the Chicago Board of Trade. Engaging in
these transactions involves risk of loss to the Fund which could adversely
affect the value of the Fund's net assets. Although the Fund intends to
purchase or sell futures contracts only if there is an active market for
such contracts, no assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist
for any particular contract at any particular time. Many futures exchanges
and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures
contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been
reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price
beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during
the trading day. Futures contract prices could move to the limit for
several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby
preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and potentially
subjecting the Fund to substantial losses.
Successful use of futures by the Fund also is subject to the ability of
the Manager to predict correctly movements in the direction of the relevant
market and, to the extent the transaction is entered into for hedging
purposes, to ascertain the appropriate correlation between the transaction
being hedged and the price movements of the futures contract. For example,
if the Fund uses futures to hedge against the possibility of a decline in
the market value of securities held in its portfolio and the prices of such
securities instead increase, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit
of the increased value of securities which it has hedged because it will
have offsetting losses in its futures positions. Furthermore, if in such
circumstances the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities
to meet daily variation margin requirements. The Fund may have to sell such
securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
Pursuant to regulations and/or published positions of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, the Fund may be required to segregate permissible
liquid assets in connection with its commodities transactions in an amount
generally equal to the value of the underlying commodity. The segregation
of such assets will have the effect of limiting the Fund's ability otherwise
to invest those assets.
Specific Futures Transactions. The Fund may purchase and sell interest rate
futures contracts. An interest rate future obligates the Fund to purchase or
sell an amount of a specific debt security at a future date at a specific
price.
Options--In General. The Fund may purchase call options with respect to
Municipal Obligations. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the
right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying security or
securities at the exercise price at any time during the option period, or at
a specific date.
There is no assurance that sufficient trading interest to create a
liquid secondary market on a securities exchange will exist for any
particular option or at any particular time, and for some options no such
secondary market may exist. A liquid secondary market in an option may
cease to exist for a variety of reasons. In the past, for example, higher
than anticipated trading activity or order flow, or other unforeseen events,
at times have rendered certain of the clearing facilities inadequate and
resulted in the institution of special procedures, such as trading
rotations, restrictions on certain types of orders or trading halts or
suspensions in one or more options. There can be no assurance that similar
events, or events that may otherwise interfere with the timely execution of
customers' orders, will not recur. In such event, it might not be possible
to effect closing transactions in particular options.
Successful use by the Fund of options will be subject to the Manager's
ability to predict correctly movements in interest rates. To the extent the
Manager's predictions are incorrect, the Fund may incur losses.
Future Developments. The Fund may take advantage of opportunities in the
area of options and futures contracts and options on futures contracts and
any other Derivatives which are not presently contemplated for use by the
Fund or which are not currently available but which may be developed, to the
extent such opportunities are both consistent with the Fund's investment
objective and legally permissible for the Fund. Before entering into such
transactions or making any such investment, the Fund will provide
appropriate disclosure in its Prospectus or Statement of Additional
Information.
Forward Commitments. Municipal Obligations and other securities
purchased on a forward commitment or when-issued basis are subject to
changes in value (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. Securities
purchased on a forward commitment or when-issued basis may expose the Fund
to risks because they may experience such fluctuations prior to their actual
delivery. Purchasing securities 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. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment or 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.
Investment Considerations and Risks
Investing in New York Municipal Obligations. Each investor should consider
carefully the special risks inherent in the Fund's investment in New York
Municipal Obligations. These risks result from the financial condition of
New York State and certain of its public bodies and municipalities,
including New York City. Beginning in early 1975, New York State, New York
City and other State entities faced serious financial difficulties which
jeopardized the credit standing and impaired the borrowing abilities of such
entities and contributed to high interest rates on, and lower market prices
for, debt obligations issued by them. A recurrence of such financial
difficulties or a failure of certain financial recovery programs could
result in defaults or declines in the market values of various New York
Municipal Obligations in which the Fund may invest. If there should be a
default or other financial crisis relating to New York State, New York City,
a State or City agency, or a State municipality, the market value and
marketability of outstanding New York Municipal Obligations in the Fund's
portfolio and the interest income to the Fund could be adversely affected.
Moreover, the national recession and the significant slowdown in the New
York and regional economies in the early 1990's 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
issued deficit notes during the fiscal periods 1989 through 1992. For its
fiscal year periods 1993 through 1997, the State recorded balanced budgets
on a cash basis, with substantial fund balances in the General Fund in
fiscal 1992-93 and 1993-94 and smaller fund balances in fiscal 1994-95 and
1995-96. The State completed its 1996-97 fiscal year in balance on a cash
basis with a General Fund cash surplus of approximately $1.4 billion. In
January 1992, Moody's lowered from A to Baa1 its ratings of 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- ratings of New York State general obligation
bonds and stated that it continued to assess the ratings outlook as
negative. S&P also lowered its ratings of various agency debts, State moral
obligations, contractual obligations, lease purchase obligations and State
guarantees. In February 1991, Moody's lowered its rating of New York City's
general obligation bonds from A to Baa1. The rating changes reflected the
rating agencies' concerns about the financial condition of New York State
and City, the heavy debt load of the State and City, and economic
uncertainties in the region. In March 1998, Moody's changed its rating on
New York City's general obligation bonds from Baa1 to A3. Investors should
review "Appendix A" which more fully sets forth these and other risk
factors.
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 (the "1940 Act")) of the Fund's outstanding voting shares.
Investment restrictions numbered 8 through 11 are not fundamental policies
and may be changed by vote of a majority of the Fund's Board members at any
time. The Fund may not:
1. Invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers
in any single industry; provided that there shall be no such limitation on
the purchase of Municipal Obligations and, for temporary defensive purposes,
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities.
2. Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 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 interest 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.
6. Issue any senior security (as such term is defined in Section
18(f) of the 1940 Act), except to the extent that the activities permitted
in Investment Restriction Nos. 2, 3 and 10 may be deemed to give rise to a
senior security.
7. Sell securities short or purchase securities on margin, but the
Fund may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in options,
forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to 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 1940 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, forward contracts, 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 interests (including municipal
lease/purchase agreements) that are not subject to the demand feature
described in the Fund's Prospectus and floating and variable rate demand
obligations as to which the Fund cannot exercise the demand feature
described in the Fund's Prospectus on less than seven days notice and as to
which there is no secondary market) if, in the aggregate, more than 15% of
the value of its net assets would be so invested.
For purposes of Investment Restriction No. 1, industrial development
bonds, where the payment of principal and interest is the ultimate
responsibility of companies within the same industry, are grouped together
as an "industry." If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of
investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a
change in values or assets will not constitute a violation of such
restriction.
The Fund may make commitments more restrictive than the restrictions
listed above so as to permit the sale of Fund shares in certain states.
Should the Fund determine that a commitment is no longer in the best
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
Board members 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 Board member who is deemed to be an "interested
person" of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, is indicated by an
asterisk.
Board Members of the Fund
JOSEPH S. DiMARTINO, Chairman of the Board. Since January 1995, Chairman of
the Board of various funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. He also is
a director of The Muscular Dystrophy Association, HealthPlan Services
Corporation, a provider of marketing, administrative and risk
management services to health and other benefit programs, The Noel
Group, Inc., a venture capital company, Staffing Resources, Inc., a
temporary placement agency, Carlyle Industries, Inc. (formerly, Belding
Heminway Company, Inc.), a button packager and distributor, and Century
Business Services, Inc. (formerly, International Alliance Services,
Inc.), a provider of various outsourcing services for small to medium
sized companies. For more than five years prior to January 1995, 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 54 years old and his address is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10166.
GORDON J. DAVIS, Board Member. Since October 1994, senior partner with the
law 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 also is 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 56 years old and his address is 241 Central Park West,
New York, New York 10024.
DAVID P. FELDMAN, Board Member. A trustee of Corporate Property Investors,
a real estate investment company, and a director of several mutual
funds in the 59 Wall Street Mutual Funds Group, and the Jeffrey
Company, a private investment company. Mr. Feldman was employed by
AT&T from July 1961 to his retirement in April 1997, most recently
serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Investment
Management Corporation. He is 58 years old and his address is c/o
AT&T, One Oak Way, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey 07922.
LYNN MARTIN, Board Member. Professor, J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of
Management, Northwestern University. During the Spring Semester 1993,
she was a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Politics, Kennedy School
of Government, Harvard University. She also is an advisor to the
international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche, LLP and chair of
its Council for the Advancement of Women. From January 1991 through
January 1993, Ms. Martin served as Secretary of the United States
Department of Labor. From 1981 to 1991, she served in the United
States House of Representatives as a Congresswoman from the State of
Illinois. She also is a Director of Harcourt General, Inc., Ameritech,
Ryder System, Inc., The Proctor & Gamble Co., a consumer company, and
TRW, Inc., an aerospace and automotive equipment company. She is 58
years old and her address is c/o Deloitte & Touche, LLP, Two Prudential
Plaza, 180 N. Stetson Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601.
DANIEL ROSE, Board Member. President and Chief Executive Officer of Rose
Associates, Inc., a New York based real estate development and
management firm. In July 1994, Mr. Rose received a Presidential
appointment to serve as a Director of the Baltic-American Enterprise
Fund, which will make equity investments and loans, and provide
technical business assistance to new business concerns in the Baltic
states. He also is Chairman of the Housing Committee of the Real
Estate Board of New York, Inc., and a trustee of Corporate Property
Investors, a real estate investment company. He is 68 years old and
his address is c/o Rose Associates, Inc., 200 Madison Avenue, New York,
New York 10016.
*PHILIP L. TOIA, Board Member. Retired. Mr. Toia was employed by the
Manager from August 1986 through January 1997, most recently serving as
Vice Chairman, Administration and Operations. He is 65 years old and
his address is 9022 Michael Circle, Naples, Florida 34113.
SANDER VANOCUR, Board Member. Since January 1992, President of Old Owl
Communications, a full-service communications firm. From May 1995 to
June 1996, he was a Professional in Residence at the Freedom Forum in
Arlington, VA; from January 1994 to May 1995, he served as Visiting
Professional Scholar at the Freedom Forum Amendment Center at
Vanderbilt University; and from November 1989 to November 1995, he was
a director of the Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Cancer Research Fund.
From June 1977 to December 1991, he was a Senior Correspondent of ABC
News and, from October 1986 to December 1991, he was Anchor of the ABC
News program "Business World," a weekly business program on the ABC
television network. He is 70 years old and his address is 2928 P
Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20007.
ANNE WEXLER, Board Member. Chairman of the Wexler Group, consultants
specializing in government relations and public affairs. She also is a
director of Alumax, Comcast Corporation, The New England Electric
System, NOVA Corporation and a member of the Board of the Carter Center
of Emory University, the Council of Foreign Relations, the National
Park Foundation, Visiting Committee of the John F. Kennedy School of
Government at Harvard University and the Economic Club of Washington.
She is 68 years old and her address is c/o The Wexler Group, 1317 F
Street, Suite 600, N.W., Washington, DC 20004.
REX WILDER, Board Member. Financial Consultant. He is 77 years old and his
address is 290 Riverside Drive, New York, New York 10025.
For so long as the Fund's plan described in the section captioned
"Service Plan" remains in effect, the Board members of the Fund who are not
"interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, will be
selected and nominated by the Board members who are not "interested persons"
of the Fund.
No meetings of shareholders will be held for the purpose of electing
Board members unless and until such time as less than a majority of the
Board members holding office have been elected by shareholders, at which
time the Board members then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for
the election of Board members. Under the 1940 Act, shareholders of record
of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Fund may remove
a Board member through a declaration in writing or by vote cast in person or
by proxy at a meeting called for that purpose. The Board members are
required to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon
the question of removal of any such Board member when requested in writing
to do so by the shareholders of record of not less than 10% of the Fund's
outstanding shares.
The Fund typically pays its Board members 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. Emeritus Board
members are entitled to receive an annual retainer and a per meeting fee of
one-half the amount paid to them as Board members. For the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997, the aggregate amount of compensation paid to each
Board member by the Fund 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) were as
follows:
Total Compensation
Aggregate from Fund and Fund
Name of Board Compensation from Complex Paid to
Member Fund* Board Members
------------- ---------------- -------------------
Gordon J. Davis $4,000 $ 97,375 (23)
Joseph S. DiMartino $5,000 $597,128 (96)
David P. Feldman $4,000 $129,375 (25)
Lynn Martin $3,750 $ 41,875 (11)
Eugene McCarthy2 $1,500 $ 18,188 (11)
Daniel Rose $4,000 $ 76,375 (21)
Philip L. Toia $4,000 $ 30,344 (11)
Sander Vanocur $4,000 $ 87,125 (21)
Anne Wexler $3,750 $ 68,625 (15)
Rex Wilder $4,000 $ 45,625 (11)
________________________
* Amount does not include reimbursed expenses for attending Board
meetings, which amounted to $1,337 for all Board members as a group.
+ Board member Emeritus since March 29, 1996.
Officers of the Fund
MARIE E. CONNOLLY, President and Treasurer. President, Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and a director of the Distributor and
Fund's Distributor, Inc., the ultimate parent of which is Boston
Institutional Group, Inc., and an officer of other investment companies
advised or administered by the Manager. She is 40 years old.
DOUGLAS C. CONROY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Assistant Vice
President of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
April 1993 to January 1995, he was a Senior Fund Accountant for
Investors Bank & Trust Company. From December 1991 to March 1993, he
was employed as a Fund Accountant at The Boston Company, Inc. He is
28 years old.
CHRISTOPHER J. KELLEY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Vice
President and Senior Associate General Counsel of Funds Distributor,
Inc. and an officer of other investment companies advised or
administered by the Manager. From April 1994 to July 1996, he was
Assistant Counsel at Forum Financial Group. From October 1992 to
March 1994, he was employed by Putnam Investments in legal and
compliance capacities. He is 33 years old.
KATHLEEN K. MORRISEY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Manager of
Treasury Services Administration of Funds Distributor, Inc. and an
officer of other investment companies advised or administered by the
Manager. From July 1994 to November 1995, she was a Fund Accountant
for Investors Bank & Trust Company. She is 25 years old.
MICHAEL S. PETRUCELLI, Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Assistant
Treasurer. Senior Vice President of Funds Distributor, Inc. and an
officer of other investment companies advised or administered by the
Manager. From December 1989 through November 1996, he was employed by
GE Investments where he held various financial, business development
and compliance positions. He also served as Treasurer of the GE Funds
and as a Director of GE Investment Services. He is 36 years old.
ELBA VASQUEZ, Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Vice President of
Funds Distributor, Inc. and an officer of other investment companies
advised or administered by the Manager. From March 1990 to May 1996,
she was employed by U.S. Trust Company of New York where she held
various sales and marketing positions. She is 36 years old.
RICHARD W. INGRAM, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Executive Vice
President of the Distributor and Funds Distributor, Inc., and an
officer of other investment companies advised or administered by the
Manager. From March 1994 to November 1995, he was Vice President and
Division Manager for First Data Investor Services Group. From 1989 to
1994, he was Vice President, Assistant Treasurer and Tax Director -
Mutual Funds at The Boston Company, Inc. He is 42 years old.
MARY A. NELSON, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Vice President of
the Distributor and Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
September 1989 to July 1994, she was an Assistant Vice President and
Client Manager for The Boston Company, Inc. She is 33 years old.
JOSEPH F. TOWER, III, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Senior Vice
President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and a director of the
Distributor and Fund's Distributor, Inc., 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 35 years old.
The address of each officer of the Fund is 200 Park Avenue, New York,
New York 10166.
The Fund's Board members and officers, as a group, owned less than 1%
of the Fund's shares outstanding on April 1, 1998.
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 or (ii) vote of a
majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities
of the Fund, provided that in either event the continuance also is approved
by a majority of the Board members who are not "interested persons" (as
defined in the 1940 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 on August 3, 1994, and was last
approved by the Fund's Board, including a majority of the Board members who
are not "interested persons" of any party to the Agreement, at a meeting
held on October 22, 1997. The Agreement is terminable without penalty, on
60 days' notice, by the Fund's Board 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 1940 Act).
The following persons are officers and/or directors of the Manager:
W. Keith Smith, Chairman of the Board; Christopher M. Condron, President,
Chief Executive Officer, 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; Ronald P. O'Hanley III,
Vice Chairman; J. David Officer, Vice Chairman; William T. Sandalls, Jr.,
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Mark N. Jacobs, Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary; Patrice M. Kozlowski, Vice
President--Corporate Communications; Mary Beth Leibig, Vice President--
Human Resources; Jeffrey N. Nachman, Vice President--Mutual Fund
Accounting; Andrew S. Wasser, Vice President--Information Systems; William
V. Healey, Assistant Secretary; and Mandell L. Berman, Burton C. Borgelt,
Frank V. Cahouet and Richard F. Syron, directors.
The Manager manages the Fund's portfolio of investments in accordance
with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the approval of the Fund's
Board. The Manager is responsible for investment decisions, and provides
the Fund with portfolio managers who are authorized by the Fund's Board to
execute purchases and sales of securities. The Fund's portfolio managers
are: A. Paul Disdier, Karen M. Hand, Stephen C. Kris, Richard J. Moynihan,
W. Michael Petty, Jill C. Shaffro, 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 and for other funds advised by the Manager.
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.
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 distributions paid on securities sold short, brokerage fees and
commissions, if any, fees of Board members 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 maintaining
the Fund's existence, costs of independent pricing services, costs
attributable to investor services (including, without limitation, telephone
and personnel expenses), costs of shareholders' reports and meetings and any
extraordinary expenses. Pursuant to the Fund's Service Plan, the Fund bears
expenses for advertising, marketing and distributing the Fund's shares and
servicing shareholder accounts, and also bears the cost of preparing and
printing prospectuses and statements of additional information and costs
associated with implementing and operating such plan. See "Service Plan."
As compensation for the Manager's services, the Fund has agreed to pay
the Manager a monthly management fee at the annual rate of .60 of 1% of the
value of the Fund's average daily net assets. For the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, the management fees paid by the Fund
amounted to $940,247, $885,380 and $823,270, respectively.
The Manager has agreed that if in any fiscal year the aggregate
expenses of the Fund, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings
and (with the prior written consent of the necessary state securities
commissions) extraordinary expenses, but including the management fee,
exceed 1 1/2% of the value of the Fund's average net assets for 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.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "How to Buy Shares."
The Distributor. The Distributor serves as the Fund's distributor on a
best efforts basis pursuant to an agreement dated August 24, 1994. The
Distributor also acts as distributor for the other funds in the Dreyfus
Family of Funds and for certain other investment companies.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. Dreyfus TeleTransfer purchase orders
may be made at any time. Purchase orders received by 4:00 p.m., New York
time, on any business day that Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., the Fund's transfer
and dividend disbursing agent (the "Transfer Agent"), and the New York Stock
Exchange are open for business will be credited to the shareholder's Fund
account on the next bank business day following such purchase order.
Purchase orders made after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on any business day the
Transfer Agent and the New York Stock Exchange are open for business, or
orders made on Saturday, Sunday or any Fund holiday (e.g., when the New York
Stock Exchange is not open for business), will be credited to the
shareholder's Fund account on the second bank business day following such
purchase order. 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
Shares--Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege."
Reopening an Account. An investor may reopen an account with a minimum
investment of $100 without filing a new Account Application during the
calendar year the account is closed or during the following calendar year,
provided the information on the old Account Application is still applicable.
SERVICE PLAN
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Service Plan."
Rule 12b-1 (the "Rule") adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the 1940 Act, provides, among other things, that an
investment company may bear expenses of distributing its shares only
pursuant to a plan adopted in accordance with the Rule. The Fund's Board
has adopted such a plan (the "Plan"), pursuant to which the Fund (a)
reimburses the Distributor for payments to certain financial institutions
(which may include banks), securities dealers and other financial industry
professionals (collectively, "Service Agents") for distributing the Fund's
shares and for servicing shareholder accounts ("Servicing") and (b) pays the
Manager and Dreyfus Service Corporation and any affiliate of either of them
(collectively, "Dreyfus") for advertising and marketing relating to the Fund
and Servicing. The Fund's Board believes that there is a reasonable
likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Plan, and the
purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made to the
Fund's Board for its review. In addition, the Plan provides that it may not
be amended to increase materially the costs which the Fund may bear for
distribution pursuant to the Plan without shareholder approval and that
other material amendments of the Plan must be approved by the Fund's Board,
and by the Board members who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the
1940 Act) of the Fund or the Manager and have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in the related service
agreements, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
considering such amendments. The Plan and the related service agreements
are subject to annual approval by such vote of the Board members cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. The Plan
was last so approved at a meeting held on July 14, 1997. The Plan is
terminable at any time by vote of a majority of the Board members who are
not "interested persons" and have no direct or indirect financial interest
in the operation of the Plan or in any of the related service agreements or
by vote of a majority of the Fund's shares. Any service agreement is
terminable without penalty, at any time, by such vote of the Board members
or, upon not more than 60 days' written notice to the Service Agent, by vote
of the holders of a majority of the Fund's shares, or, upon 15 days' notice,
by the Distributor. Each service agreement will terminate automatically in
the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
Under the Plan, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the total
amount payable by the Fund was $344,829, of which (a) $17,008 was reimbursed
to the Distributor for payments made to Service Agents for distributing Fund
shares and Servicing, (b) $326,021 was payable to Dreyfus for advertising
and marketing Fund shares and Servicing and (c) $1,800 was payable for
printing the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information, as
well as implementing and operating the Plan, all of which was reimbursed by
the Manager.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "How to Redeem Shares."
Redemption Fee. The Fund will deduct a redemption fee equal to 1% of
the net asset value of Fund shares redeemed (including redemptions through
the use of the Fund Exchanges service) less than 15 days following the
issuance of such shares. The redemption fee will be deducted from the
redemption proceeds and retained by the Fund.
No redemption fee will be charged on the redemption or exchange of
shares (1) through the Fund's Check Redemption Privilege, Automatic
Withdrawal Plan or Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege, (2) through accounts
that are reflected on the records of the Transfer Agent as omnibus accounts
approved by Dreyfus Service Corporation, (3) through accounts established by
Service Agents approved by Dreyfus Service Corporation that utilize the
National Securities Clearing Corporation's networking system, or (4)
acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions. The
redemption fee may be waived, modified or terminated at any time.
Check Redemption Privilege. The Fund provides Redemption Checks
("Checks") automatically upon opening an account, unless the investor
specifically refuses the Check Redemption Privilege by checking the
applicable "No" box on the Account Application. Checks will be sent only to
the registered owner(s) of the account and only to the address of record.
The Check Redemption Privilege may be established for an existing account by
a separate signed Shareholder Services Form. The Account Application or
Shareholder Services Form must be manually signed by the registered
owner(s). Checks are drawn on the investor's Fund account and may be made
payable to the order of any person in an amount of $500 or more. When a
Check is presented to the Transfer Agent for payment, the Transfer Agent, as
the investor's agent, will cause the Fund to redeem a sufficient number of
full or fractional shares in the investor's account to cover the amount of
the Check. Dividends are earned until the Check clears. After clearance, a
copy of the Check will be returned to the investor. Investors generally
will be subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to checking
accounts, although election of this Privilege creates only a
shareholder-transfer agent relationship with the Transfer Agent.
If the amount of the Check is greater than the value of the shares in
an investor's account, the Check will be returned marked insufficient funds.
Checks should not be used to close an account.
Wire Redemption Privilege. By using this Privilege, the investor
authorizes the Transfer Agent to act on wire, telephone or letter redemption
instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be the
investor, or a representative of the investor's Service Agent, and
reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Ordinarily, the
Fund will initiate payment for shares redeemed pursuant to this Privilege on
the next business day after receipt by the Transfer Agent of a redemption
request in proper form. Redemption proceeds ($1,000 minimum) 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, or to a correspondent bank if the investor's bank is not a member of
the Federal Reserve System. Fees ordinarily are imposed by such bank and
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 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 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 Signature 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 Fund's Board reserves the right to make payments in whole or
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 might 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. A 1% redemption fee will be charged upon an exchange
of Fund shares where the exchange occurs less than 15 days following the
issuance of such shares. Shares of other funds purchased by exchange will
be purchased on the basis of relative net asset value per share as follows:
A. Exchanges for shares of funds that are offered without a
sales load will be made without a sales load.
B. Shares of funds purchased without a sales load may be
exchanged for shares of other funds sold with a sales load,
and the applicable sales load will be deducted.
C. Shares of funds purchased with a sales load may be exchanged
without a sales load for shares of other funds
sold without a sales load.
D. Shares of funds purchased with a sales load, shares of funds
acquired by a previous exchange from shares purchased with a
sales load, and additional shares acquired through
reinvestment of dividends or distributions of any such funds
(collectively referred to herein as "Purchased Shares") may
be exchanged for shares of other funds sold with a sales
load (referred to herein as "Offered Shares"), provided
that, if the sales load applicable to the Offered Shares
exceeds the maximum sales load that could have been imposed
in connection with the Purchased Shares (at the time the
Purchased Shares were acquired), without giving effect to
any reduced loads, the difference will be deducted.
To accomplish an exchange under item D above, shareholders must notify
the Transfer Agent of their prior ownership of fund shares and their account
number.
To request an exchange, an investor, or the investor's Service Agent
acting on the investor's behalf, must give exchange instructions to the
Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone. The ability to issue exchange
instructions by telephone is given to all Fund shareholders automatically
unless the investor checks the 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 (including
over The Dreyfus Touch automated telephone system) from any person
representing himself or herself to be the investor or a representative of
the investor's Service Agent, and reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent
to be genuine. Telephone exchanges may be subject to limitations as to the
amount involved or the number of telephone exchanges permitted. Shares 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. The minimum
initial investment is $750 for Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs
(including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs,
IRAs set up under a Simplified Employee Pension Plan ("SEP-IRAs") with only
one participant, and rollover IRAs) and 403(b)(7) Plans, and $500 for
Dreyfus-sponsored Education IRAs. 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
a personal retirement plan account, 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 certain funds 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 described above under "Fund Exchanges."
Enrollment in or modification or cancellation of this Privilege is effective
three business days following notification by the investor. An investor
will be notified if his account falls below the amount designated to be
exchanged under this Privilege. In this case, an investor's account will
fall to zero unless additional investments are made in excess of the
designated amount prior to the next Auto-Exchange transaction. Shares held
under IRA and other retirement plans are eligible for this Privilege.
Exchanges of IRA shares may be made between IRA accounts and from regular
accounts to IRA accounts, but not from IRA accounts to regular accounts.
With respect to all other retirement accounts, exchanges may be made only
among those accounts.
Fund Exchanges and the Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege are available to
shareholders resident in any state in which shares of the fund being
acquired may legally be sold. Shares may be exchanged only between accounts
having identical names and other identifying designations.
Shareholder Services Forms and prospectuses of the other funds may be
obtained by calling 1-800-654-6561. 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 the sale 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. 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 automatically 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 Shares."
Valuation of Portfolio Securities. The Fund's investments are valued
by an independent pricing service (the "Service") approved by the Fund's
Board. 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 Fund's Board.
Expenses and fees, including the management fee and fees pursuant to the
Service Plan, are accrued daily and are taken into account for the purpose
of determining the net asset value of Fund shares.
Subject to guidelines established by the Fund's Board, the Manager
intends to retain in the Fund's portfolio Municipal Obligations which are
insured under the Mutual Fund Insurance policy and which are in default or
in significant risk of default in the payment of principal or interest until
the default has been cured or the principal and interest are paid by the
issuer or the insurer. In establishing fair value for these securities the
Board will give recognition to the value of the insurance feature as well as
the market value of the securities. Absent any unusual or unforeseen
circumstances, the Manager will recommend valuing these securities at the
same price as similar securities of a minimum investment grade (i.e., rated
Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P or Fitch).
New York Stock Exchange Closings. The holidays (as observed) on which
the New York Stock Exchange is closed currently are: New Year's Day, Martin
Luther King Jr. 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 expenses of its
research department.
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 will 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 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. In
addition, all or a portion of the gain realized from engaging in "conversion
transactions" may be treated as ordinary income under Section 1258 of the
Code. "Conversion transactions" are defined to include certain forward,
futures, option and "straddle" transactions, transactions marketed or sold
to produce capital gains, or transactions described in Treasury regulations
to be issued in the future.
Investment by the Fund in securities at a discount or providing for
deferred interest or 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 December 31, 1997
was 3.74%. Current yield is computed pursuant to a formula which operates as
follows: The amount of the Fund's expenses accrued for the 30-day period
(net of reimbursements) is subtracted from the amount of the dividends and
interest earned (computed in accordance with regulatory requirements) by the
Fund during the period. That result is then divided by the product of: (a)
the average daily number of shares outstanding during the period that were
entitled to receive dividends, and (b) the net asset value per share on the
last day of the period less any undistributed earned income per share
reasonably expected to be declared as a dividend shortly thereafter. The
quotient is then added to 1, and that sum is raised to the 6th power, after
which 1 is subtracted. The current yield is then arrived at by multiplying
the result by 2.
Based upon a combined 1997 Federal, New York State and New York City
personal income tax rate of 46.43%, the Fund's tax equivalent yield for the
30-day period ended December 31, 1997 was 6.98%. Tax equivalent yield is
computed by dividing that portion of the current yield (calculated as
described above) which is tax exempt by 1 minus a stated tax rate and adding
the quotient to that portion, if any, of the yield of the Fund that is not
tax exempt.
The tax equivalent yield noted above represents the application of the
highest Federal, New York State and New York City marginal personal income
tax rates currently in effect. For Federal income tax purposes, a 39.60%
tax rate has been used. For New York State and New York City personal
income tax purposes, tax rates of 7.875% and 4.46%, respectively, have been
used. The tax equivalent figure, however, does not reflect the potential
effect of any other local (including, but not limited to, county, district
or city, other than New York City) taxes, including applicable surcharges.
In addition, there may be pending legislation which could affect such stated
tax rates or yields. Each investor should consult its tax adviser, and
consider its own factual circumstances and applicable tax laws, in order to
ascertain the relevant tax equivalent yield.
The Fund's average annual total return for the 1, 5 and 10 year periods
ended December 31, 1997 was 7.41%, 5.59% and 7.52%, 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 February 18, 1987 (commencement
of operations) to December 31, 1997 was 78.54%. 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 equivalent yields or
charts in its advertising. These hypothetical yields or charts will be used
for illustrative purposes only and not as being representative of the Fund's
past or future performance. Advertising materials for the Fund also may
refer to or discuss then-current or past economic conditions, developments
and/or events, and actual or proposed tax legislation, to statistical or
other information concerning trends relating to investment companies, as
compiled by industry associations such as the Investment Company Institute,
and to Morningstar ratings and related analyses supporting the rating.
Advertising material for the Fund may include biographical information
relating to its portfolio manager and may refer to, or include commentary
by, the portfolio manager relating to investment strategy, asset growth,
current or past business, political, economic or financial conditions and
other matters of general interest to investors. Advertising material for
the Fund may include biographical information relating to its portfolio
manager and may refer to, or include commentary by the portfolio manager
relating to investment strategy, asset growth, current or past business,
political, economic or financial conditions and other matters of general
interest to investors.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "General Information."
Each Fund share has one vote and, when issued and paid for in
accordance with the terms of the offering, is fully paid and non-assessable.
Fund shares are of one class and have equal rights as to dividends and 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.
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT, CUSTODIAN,
COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, P.O.
Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671, is the Fund's transfer and
dividend disbursing agent. Under a transfer agency agreement with the Fund,
the Transfer Agent arranges for the maintenance of shareholder account
records for the Fund, the handling of certain communications between
shareholders and the Fund and the payment of dividends and distributions
payable by the Fund. For these services, the Transfer Agent receives a
monthly fee computed on the basis of the number of shareholder accounts it
maintains for the Fund during the month, and is reimbursed for certain out-
of-pocket expenses. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the Fund
paid the Transfer Agent $48,873. The Bank of New York, 90 Washington
Street, New York, New York 10286, is the Fund's custodian. The Bank of New
York does not have any part in determining the investment policies of the
Fund or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Fund.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, 180 Maiden Lane, New York, New York
10038-4982, as counsel for the Fund, has rendered its opinion as to certain
legal matters regarding the due authorization and valid issuance of the
shares being sold pursuant to the Fund's Prospectus.
Ernst & Young LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019,
independent auditors, have been selected as auditors of the Fund.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 is a separate document supplied with this Statement of
Additional Information, and the financial statements, accompanying notes and
report of independent auditors appearing therein are incorporated by
reference into this Statement of Additional Information.
APPENDIX A
INVESTING IN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS
RISK FACTORS--INVESTING IN NEW YORK MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS
The financial condition of New York State (the "State") and certain of
its public bodies (the "Agencies") and municipalities, particularly New York
City (the "City"), could affect the market values and marketability of New
York Municipal Obligations which may be held by the Fund. The following
information constitutes only a brief summary, does not purport to be a
complete description, and is based on information drawn from official
statements relating to securities offerings of the State, the City and the
Municipal Assistance Corporation for the City of New York ("MAC") available
as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information. While the Fund
has not independently verified such information, it has no reason to believe
that such information is not correct in all material respects.
The State's budget for the 1997-98 fiscal year was enacted by the
Legislature on August 4, 1997, more than four months after the start of the
fiscal year on April 1. Prior to adoption of the budget, the Legislature
enacted appropriations for disbursements considered to be necessary for
State operations and other purposes, including all necessary appropriations
for debt service.
For 1997-98, total revenues in the General Fund are projected at $33.37
billion, total expenditures are projected at $34.66 billion, and net
operating sources and uses are projected to contribute $331 million. For
all governmental funds, total revenues are projected at $67.48 billion,
total expenditures are projected at $68.24 billion, and financing uses are
projected to exceed financing sources by $220 million.
After adjustments for comparability between fiscal years, the adopted
1997-98 budget projects an increase in General Fund disbursements of $1.7
billion or 5.2% over 1996-97 levels. The average annual growth rate over
the last three fiscal years has been 1.2%. Adjusted State Funds (excluding
Federal grants) disbursements are projected to increase by 5.4% from the
1996-97 fiscal year. All Governmental Funds disbursements are projected to
increase by 7.0% over the prior fiscal year, after adjustments for
comparability.
The State revised the cash-basis 1997-98 State Financial plan on
January 20, 1998, in conjunction with the release of the Executive Budget
for the 1998-99 fiscal year. The changes reflect actual results through
December 1997, as well as modified economic and spending projections for the
balance of the current fiscal year.
The 1997-98 General Fund Financial Plan continues to be balanced, with
a projected cash surplus of $1.83 billion, an increase of $1.3 billion over
the surplus estimate of $530 million in the October 1997 update. The
increase in the surplus results primarily from higher-than-expected tax
receipts, which are forecast to exceed the October estimate by $1.28
billion.
In order to make the surplus available to help finance 1998-99
requirements, the State plans to accelerate $1.18 billion in income tax
refund payments into 1997-98, or provide reserves for such payments. The
balance in the refund reserve on March 31, 1998 is projected to be $1.647
billion.
Personal income tax collections for 1997-98 are now projected at $18.50
billion, or $363 million less than projected in October after accounting for
the refund reserve transaction. Business tax receipts are projected at $4.98
billion, an increase of $158 million. User tax collections are estimated at
$7.06 billion, or $52 million higher than the prior update, and reflected a
projected loss of $20 million in sales tax receipts from an additional week
of sales tax exemption for clothing and footwear costing less than $500,
which was authorized and implemented in January 1998. Other tax receipts
are projected to increase by $103 million over the prior update and total
$1.09 billion for the fiscal year. Miscellaneous receipts and transfers
from other funds are projected to reach $3.57 billion, or $153 million
higher than the mid-year update.
The State projects that disbursements will increase by $565 million
over the mid-year update, with nearly the entire increase attributable to
one-time disbursements of $561 million that pre-pay expenditures previously
scheduled for 1998-99. In the absence of these accelerated payments,
projected General Fund spending in the current year would have remained
essentially unchanged from the mid-year update. The Governor is proposing
legislation to use a portion of the current year surplus to transfer $425
million to pay for capital projects authorized under the Community
Enhancement Facilities Assistance Program (CEFAP) that were previously
planned to be financed with bond proceeds in 1998-99 and thereafter, and
$136 million in costs for an additional Medicaid payment originally schedule
for 1998-99.
The 1997-98 adopted budget includes multi-year tax reductions,
including a State funded property and local income tax reduction program,
estate tax relief, utility gross receipts tax reductions, permanent
reductions in the State sales tax on clothing, and elimination of
assessments on medical providers. These reductions are intended to reduce
the overall level of State and local taxes in New York and to improve the
State's competitive position vis-a-vis other states. The various elements
of the State and local tax and assessment reductions have little or no
impact on the 1997-98 Financial Plan, and do not begin to materially affect
the outyear projections until the State's 1999-2000 fiscal year.
The 1997-98 Financial Plan, as updated, also includes: a projected
General Fund reserve of $465 million; a projected balance of $400 million in
the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund; and a projected $65 million balance in
the Contingency Reserve Fund.
The State Financial Plan was based upon forecasts of national and State
economic activity. Economic forecasts have frequently failed to predict
accurately the timing and magnitude of changes in the national and the State
economies. Many uncertainties exist in forecasts of both the national and
State economies, including consumer attitudes toward spending, Federal
financial and monetary policies, the availability of credit and the
condition of the world economy, which could have an adverse effect on the
State. There can be no assurance that the State economy will not experience
worse-than-predicted results, with corresponding material and adverse
effects on the State's projections of receipts and disbursements.
The Governor presented his 1998-99 Executive Budget to the Legislature
on January 20, 1998. The Executive Budget contains financial projections
for the State's 1997-98 through 2000-01 fiscal years, detailed estimates of
receipts and a proposed Capital Program and Financing Plan for the 1997-98
through 2002-03 fiscal years. It is expected that the Governor will prepare
amendments to his Executive Budget as permitted under law and that these
amendments will be reflected in a revised Financial Plan to be released on
or before February 19, 1998.
The 1998-99 Financial Plan is projected to be balanced on a cash basis
in the General Fund. Total General Fund receipts, including transfers from
other funds, are projected to be $36.22 billion, an increase of $1.02
billion over projected receipts in the current fiscal year. Total General
Fund disbursements, including transfers to other funds, are projected to be
$36.18 billion, an increase of $1.02 billion over the projected expenditures
(including prepayments) for the current fiscal year. As compared to the
1997-98 State Financial Plan, the Executive Budget proposes year-to-year
growth in General Fund spending of 2.89%. State Funds spending (i.e.,
General Fund plus other dedicated funds, with the exception of federal aid)
is projected to grow by 8.5%. Spending from All Governmental Funds
(excluding transfers) is proposed to increase by 7.6% from the prior fiscal
year.
There can be no assurance that the State will not face substantial
potential budget gaps in future years resulting from a significant disparity
between tax revenues projected from a lower recurring receipts base and the
spending required to maintain State programs at current levels. To address
any potential budgetary imbalance, the State may need to take significant
actions to align recurring receipts and disbursements in future fiscal
years.
On June 6, 1990, Moody's changed its ratings on all the State's
outstanding general obligation bonds from A1 to A. On March 26, 1990 and
January 13, 1992, S&P changed its ratings on all of the State's outstanding
general obligation bonds from AA- to A and from A to A-, respectively. In
February 1991, Moody's lowered its rating on the City's general obligation
bonds from A to Baa1 and in July 1995, S&P lowered its rating on such bonds
from A- to BBB+. Ratings reflect only the respective views of such
organizations, and their concerns about the financial condition of New York
State and City, the debt load of the State and City and any economic
uncertainties about the region. There is no assurance that a particular
rating will continue for any given period of time or that any such rating
will not be revised downward or withdrawn entirely if, in the judgment of
the agency originally establishing the rating, circumstances so warrant.
(1) The State, Agencies and Other Municipalities. During the mid-
1970s, some of the Agencies and municipalities (in particular, the City)
faced extraordinary financial difficulties, which affected the State's own
financial condition. These events, including a default on short-term notes
issued by the New York State Urban Development Corporation ("UDC") in
February 1975, which default was cured shortly thereafter, and a
continuation of the financial difficulties of the City, created substantial
investor resistance to securities issued by the State and by some of its
municipalities and Agencies. For a time, in late 1975 and early 1976, these
difficulties resulted in a virtual closing of public credit markets for
State and many State related securities.
In response to the financial problems confronting it, the State
developed and implemented programs for its 1977 fiscal year that included
the adoption of a balanced budget on a cash basis (a deficit of $92 million
that actually resulted was financed by issuing notes that were paid during
the first quarter of the State's 1978 fiscal year). In addition,
legislation was enacted limiting the occurrence of additional so-called
"moral obligation" and certain other Agency debt, which legislation does
not, however, apply to MAC debt.
GAAP-Basis Results--1996-97 Fiscal Year. The State completed its 1996-97
fiscal year with a combined Governmental Funds operating surplus of $2.1
billion, which included an operating surplus in the General Fund of $1.9
billion, in Capital Projects Funds of $98 million and in the Special Revenue
Funds of $65 million, offset in part by an operating deficit of $37 million
in the Debt Service Funds.
GAAP-Basis Results--1995-96 Fiscal Year. The State completed its 1995-96
fiscal year with a combined Governmental Funds operating surplus of $432
million, which included an operating surplus in the General Fund of $380
million, in the Capital Projects Funds of $276 million and in the Debt
Service Funds of $185 million. There was an operating deficit of $409
million in the Special Revenue Funds.
GAAP-Basis Results--1994-95 Fiscal Year. The State's Combined Balance Sheet
as of March 31, 1995 showed an accumulated deficit in its combined
Governmental Funds of $1.666 billion reflecting liabilities of $14.778
billion and assets of $13.112 billion. This accumulated Governmental Funds
deficit includes a $3.308 billion accumulated deficit in the General Fund,
as well as accumulated surpluses in the Special Revenue and Debt Service
Fund types of $877 million and $1.753 billion, respectively, and a $988
million accumulated deficit in the Capital Projects Fund type.
The State completed its 1994-95 fiscal year with a combined
Governmental Funds operating deficit of $1.791 billion, which included
operating deficits in the General Fund of $1.426 billion, in the Capital
Projects Funds of $366 million, and in the Debt Service Funds of $38
million. There was an operating surplus in the Special Revenue Funds of $39
million.
State Financial Plan--Cash-Basis Results--General Fund. The General
Fund is the principal operating fund of the State and is used to account for
all financial transactions, except those required to be accounted for in
another fund. It is the State's largest fund and receives almost all State
taxes and other resources not dedicated to particular purposes. General
Fund moneys are also transferred to other funds, primarily to support
certain capital projects and debt service payments in other fund types.
In the State's 1997-98 fiscal year, the General Fund is expected to
account for approximately 48% of total Governmental Funds disbursements and
71% of total State Funds disbursements. The General Fund is projected to be
balanced on a cash basis for the 1997-98 fiscal year. Total receipts and
transfers from other funds are projected to be $35.20 billion, an increase
of $2.16 billion from the prior fiscal year. Total General Fund
disbursements and transfers to other funds are projected to be $35.17
billion, an increase of $2.27 billion from the total in the prior fiscal
year.
New York State's financial operations have improved during recent
fiscal years. During the period 1989-90 through 1991-92, the State incurred
General Fund operating deficits that were closed with receipts from the
issuance of tax and revenue anticipation notes ("TRANs"). First, the
national recession, and then the lingering economic slowdown in the New York
and regional economy, resulted in repeated shortfalls in receipts and three
budget deficits. During its last five fiscal years, however, the State
recorded balanced budgets on a cash basis, with positive fund balances as
described below.
The State ended its 1996-97 fiscal year on March 31, 1997 in balance on
a cash basis, with a General Fund cash surplus as reported by DOB of
approximately $1.4 billion. The cash surplus was derived primarily from
higher-than-expected revenues and lower-than-expected spending for social
services programs. The Governor in his Executive Budget applied $1.05
billion of the cash surplus amount to finance the 1997-98 Financial Plan,
and the additional $373 million is available for use in financing the 1997-
98 Financial Plan when enacted by the State Legislature.
The General Fund closing fund balance was $433 million. Of that
amount, $317 million was in the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund ("TSRF"),
after a required deposit of $15 million and an additional deposit of $65
million in 1996-97. The TSRF can be used in the event of any future General
Fund deficit, as provided under the State Constitution and State Finance
Law. In addition, $41 million remains on deposit in the Contingency Reserve
Fund ("CRF"). This fund assists the State in financing any extraordinary
litigation costs during the fiscal year. The remaining $75 million reflects
amounts on deposit in the Community Projects Fund. This fund was created to
fund certain legislative initiatives. The General Fund closing fund balance
does not include $1.86 billion in the tax refund reserve account, of which
$521 million was made available as a result of the Local Government
Assistance Corporation ("LGAC") financing program as was required to be on
deposit as of March 31, 1997.
General Fund receipts and transfers from other funds for the 1996-97
fiscal year totaled $33.04 billion, an increase of 0.7% from the previous
fiscal year (excluding deposits into the tax refund reserve account).
General Fund disbursements and transfers to other funds totaled $32.90
billion for the 1996-97 fiscal year, an increase of 0.7% from the 1995-96
fiscal year.
The State ended its 1995-96 fiscal year on March 31, 1996 with a
General Fund cash surplus, as reported by DOB, of $445 million. Of that
amount, $65 million was deposited into the TSRF, and $380 million was used
to reduce 1996-97 Financial Plan liabilities by accelerating 1996-97
payments, deferring 1995-96 revenues, and making a deposit to the tax refund
reserve account.
The General Fund closing fund balance was $287 million, an increase of
$129 million from 1994-95 levels. The $129 million change in fund balance
is attributable to the $65 million voluntary deposit to the TSRF, a $15
million required deposit to the TSRF, a $40 million deposit to the CRF, and
a $9 million deposit to the Revenue Accumulation Fund. The closing fund
balance includes $237 million on deposit in the TSRF, to be used in the
event of any future General Fund deficit as provided under the State
Constitution and State Finance Law. In addition, $41 million is on deposit
in the CRF. The CRF was established in State fiscal year 1993-94 to assist
the State in financing the costs of extraordinary litigation. The remaining
$9 million reflects amounts on deposit in the Revenue Accumulation Fund.
This fund was created to hold certain tax receipts temporarily before their
deposit to other accounts. In addition, $678 million was on deposit in the
tax refund reserve account, of which $521 million was necessary to complete
the restructuring of the State's cash flow under the LGAC program.
General Fund receipts totaled $32.81 billion, a decrease of 1.1% from
1994-95 levels. This decrease reflects the impact of tax reductions enacted
and effective in both 1994 and 1995. General Fund disbursements totaled
$32.68 billion for the 1995-96 fiscal year, a decrease of 2.2% from 1994-95
levels.
The State ended its 1994-95 fiscal year with the General Fund in
balance. The $241 million decline in the fund balance reflects the planned
use of $264 million from the CRF, partially offset by the required deposit
of $23 million to the TSRF. In addition, $278 million was on deposit in the
tax refund reserve account, $250 million of which was deposited to continue
the process of restructuring the State's cash flow as part of the LGAC
program. The closing fund balance of $158 million reflects $157 million in
the TSRF and $1 million in the CRF.
General Fund receipts totaled $33.16 billion, an increase of 2.9% from
1993-94 levels. General Fund disbursements totaled $33.40 billion for the
1994-95 fiscal year, an increase of 4.7% from the previous fiscal year.
Cash-Basis Results--Other Governmental Funds. Activity in the three other
governmental funds has remained relatively stable over the last three fiscal
years ended March 31, 1997, with Federally-funded programs comprising
approximately two-thirds of these funds. The most significant change in the
structure of these funds has been the redirection of a portion of
transportation-related revenues from the General Fund to two new dedicated
funds in the Special Revenue and Capital Projects Fund types. These
revenues are used to support the capital programs of the Department of
Transportation and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority ("MTA").
The Special Revenue Funds are used to account for the proceeds of
specific revenue sources such as federal grants that are legally restricted,
either by the Legislature or outside parties, to expenditures for specified
purposes. Disbursements from Special Revenue Funds increased from $24.38
billion to $26.02 billion over the last three years, primarily as a result
of increased costs for the federal share of Medicaid. Other activity
reflected dedication of taxes to a new fund for mass transportation, new
lottery games, and new fees for criminal justice programs. Although
activity in this fund type is expected to comprise approximately 42% of
total governmental funds receipts in the 1997-98 fiscal year, three-quarters
of that activity relates to federally-funded programs. Projected receipts
in this fund type for the 1997-98 fiscal year total $28.22 billion, an
increase of $2.51 billion (9.7%) over the prior year. Projected
disbursements in this fund type total $28.45 billion, an increase of $2.43
billion (9.3%) over 1996-97 levels. Disbursements from federal funds,
primarily the federal share of Medicaid and other social services programs,
are projected to total $21.19 billion in the 1997-98 fiscal year. Remaining
projected spending of $7.26 billion primarily reflects aid to SUNY supported
by tuition and dormitory fees, education aid funded from lottery receipts,
operating aid payments to the MTA funded from the proceeds of dedicated
transportation taxes, and costs of a variety of self-supporting programs
which deliver services financed by user fees.
The Capital Projects Funds are used to finance the acquisition,
construction or rehabilitation of major state capital facilities and to aid
local government units and Agencies in financing capital construction.
Disbursements in the Capital Projects Funds declined from $3.62 billion to
$3.54 billion over the last three years, as spending for miscellaneous
capital programs decreased, partially offset by increases for mental
hygiene, health and environmental programs. The composition of this fund
type's receipts also changed as the dedicated transportation taxes began to
be deposited, general obligation bond proceeds declined substantially,
federal grants remained stable, and reimbursements from public authority
bonds (primarily transportation related) increased. The increase in the
negative fund balance in 1994-95 resulted from delays in reimbursements
caused by delays in the timing of public authority bond sales.
In the 1997-98 fiscal year, activity in these funds is expected to
comprise 5% of total governmental receipts.
Total receipts in this fund type for the 1997-98 fiscal year are
projected at $3.30 billion. Bond and note proceeds are expected to provide
$605 million in other financing sources. Disbursements from this fund type
are projected to be $3.70 billion, an increase of $154 million (4.3%) over
prior-year levels. The Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund is the
single largest dedicated fund, comprising an estimated $982 million (27%) of
the activity in this fund type. Total spending for capital projects will be
financed through a combination of sources: federal grants (29%), public
authority bond proceeds (31%), general obligation bond proceeds (15%), and
pay-as-you-go revenues (25%).
The Debt Service Funds are used to account for the payment of principal
of, and interest on, long-term debt of the State and to meet commitments
under lease-purchase and other contractual-obligation financing
arrangements.
Activity in the Debt Service Funds reflected increased use of bonds
during the three-year period for improvements to the State's capital
facilities and the continued implementation of the LGAC fiscal reform
program. The increases were moderated by the refunding savings achieved by
the State over the last several years using strict present value savings
criteria. The growth in LGAC debt service was offset by reduced short-term
borrowing costs reflected in the General Fund. This fund type is expected
to comprise 4% of total governmental fund receipts and 4.7% of total
government disbursements in the 1997-98 fiscal year. Receipts in these
funds in excess of debt service requirements may be transferred to the
General Fund and Special Revenue Funds, pursuant to law.
The Debt Service fund type consists of the General Debt Service Fund,
which is supported primarily by tax receipts transferred from the General
Fund, and other funds established to accumulate moneys for the payment of
debt service. In the 1997-98 fiscal year, total disbursements in this fund
type are projected at $3.17 billion, an increase of $641 million or 25.3%,
most of which is explained by increases in the General Fund transfer as
discussed earlier. The projected transfer from the General Fund of $2.07
billion is expected to finance 65% of these payments.
The remaining payments are expected to be financed by pledged revenues,
including $2.03 billion in taxes and $601 million in dedicated fees and
other miscellaneous receipts. After required impoundment for debt service,
$3.77 billion is expected to be transferred to the General Fund and other
funds in support of State operations. The largest transfer-$1.86 billion-is
made to the Special Revenue fund type in support of operations of the mental
hygiene agencies. Another $1.47 billion in excess sales taxes is expected
to be transferred to the General Fund, following payments of projected debt
service on LGAC bonds.
State Borrowing Plan. The State anticipates that its capital programs
will be financed, in part, through borrowings by the State and public
authorities in the 1997-98 fiscal year. The State expects to issue $501
million in general obligation bonds (including $140 million for purposes of
redeeming outstanding BANs) and $140 million in general obligation
commercial paper. The Legislature has also authorized the issuance of $83
million in COPs during the State's 1997-98 fiscal year for equipment
purchases, and approximately $1.8 billion in borrowings by public
authorities pursuant to lease-purchase and contractual-obligation financings
for capital programs of the State. The projection of the State regarding
its borrowings for the 1997-98 fiscal year may change if circumstances
require.
State Agencies. The fiscal stability of the State is related, at least
in part, to the fiscal stability of its localities and various of its
Agencies. Various Agencies have issued bonds secured, in part, by
non-binding statutory provisions for State appropriations to maintain
various debt service reserve funds established for such bonds (commonly
referred to as "moral obligation" provisions).
At September 30, 1996, there were 17 Agencies that had outstanding debt
of $100 million or more. The aggregate outstanding debt, including
refunding bonds, of these 17 Agencies was $75.4 billion as of September 30,
1996. As of March 31, 1997, aggregate Agency debt outstanding as State-
supported debt was $32.8 billion and as State-related was $37.1 billion.
Debt service on the outstanding Agency obligations normally is paid out of
revenues generated by the Agencies' projects or programs, but in recent
years the State has provided special financial assistance, in some cases on
a recurring basis, to certain Agencies for operating and other expenses and
for debt service pursuant to moral obligation indebtedness provisions or
otherwise. Additional assistance is expected to continue to be required in
future years.
Several Agencies have experienced financial difficulties in the past.
Certain Agencies continue to experience financial difficulties requiring
financial assistance from the State. Failure of the State to appropriate
necessary amounts or to take other action to permit certain Agencies to meet
their obligations could result in a default by one or more of such Agencies.
If a default were to occur, it would likely have a significant effect on the
marketability of obligations of the State and the Agencies. These Agencies
are discussed below.
The New York State Housing Finance Agency ("HFA") provides financing
for multifamily housing, State University construction, hospital and nursing
home development, and other programs. In general, HFA depends upon
mortgagors in the housing programs it finances to generate sufficient funds
from rental income, subsidies and other payments to meet their respective
mortgage repayment obligations to HFA, which provide the principal source of
funds for the payment of debt service on HFA bonds, as well as to meet
operating and maintenance costs of the projects financed. From January 1,
1976 through March 31, 1987, the State was called upon to appropriate a
total of $162.8 million to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve
funds of HFA pursuant to moral obligation provisions. The State has not
been called upon to make such payments since the 1986-87 fiscal year.
UDC has experienced, and expects to continue to experience, financial
difficulties with the housing programs it had undertaken prior to 1975,
because a substantial number of these housing program mortgagors are unable
to make full payments on their mortgage loans. Through a subsidiary, UDC is
currently attempting to increase its rate of collection by accelerating its
program of foreclosures and by entering into settlement agreements. UDC has
been, and will remain, dependent upon the State for appropriations to meet
its operating expenses. The State also has appropriated money to assist in
the curing of a default by UDC on notes which did not contain the State's
moral obligation provision.
The MTA oversees New York City's subway and bus lines by its
affiliates, the New York City Transit Authority and the Manhattan and Bronx
Surface Transit Operating Authority (collectively, the "TA"). Through MTA's
subsidiaries, the Long Island Rail Road Company, the Metro-North Commuter
Railroad Company and the Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority, the MTA
operates certain commuter rail and bus lines in the New York metropolitan
area. In addition, the Staten Island Rapid Transit Authority, an MTA
subsidiary, operates a rapid transit line on Staten Island. Through its
affiliated agency, the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (the "TBTA"),
the MTA operates certain toll bridges and tunnels. Because fare revenues
are not sufficient to finance the mass transit portion of these operations,
the MTA has depended and will continue to depend for operating support upon
a system of State, local government and TBTA support and, to the extent
available, Federal operating assistance, including loans, grants and
subsidies. If current revenue projections are not realized and/or operating
expenses exceed current projections, the TA or commuter railroads may be
required to seek additional State assistance, raise fares or take other
actions.
Since 1980, the State has enacted several taxes--including a surcharge
on the profits of banks, insurance corporations and general business
corporations doing business in the 12-county region (the "Metropolitan
Transportation Region") served by the MTA and a special .25% regional sales
and use tax--that provide additional revenues for mass transit purposes,
including assistance to the MTA. In addition, since 1987, State law has
required that the proceeds of .25% mortgage recording tax paid on certain
mortgages in the Metropolitan Transportation Region be deposited in a
special MTA fund for operating or capital expenses. Further, in 1993, the
State dedicated a portion of certain additional State petroleum business tax
receipts to fund operating or capital assistance to the MTA. For the 1997-
98 State fiscal year, total State assistance to the MTA is estimated at
approximately $1.2 billion, an increase of $76 million over the 1996-97
fiscal year.
In 1981, the State Legislature authorized procedures for the adoption,
approval and amendment of a five-year plan for the capital program designed
to upgrade the performance of the MTA's transportation systems and to
supplement, replace and rehabilitate facilities and equipment, and also
granted certain additional bonding authorization therefor.
State legislation accompanying the 1996-97 adopted State budget
authorized the MTA, TBTA and TA to issue an aggregate of $6.5 billion in
bonds to finance a portion of the $12.17 billion MTA capital plan for the
1995 through 1999 calendar years (the "1995-99 Capital Program"). In July
1997, the Capital Program Review Board approved the 1995-99 Capital Program,
which supersedes the overlapping portion of the MTA's 1992-96 Capital
Program. This is the fourth capital plan since the Legislature authorized
procedures for the adoption, approval and amendment of MTA capital programs
and is designed to upgrade the performance of the MTA's transportation
systems by investing in new rolling stock, maintaining replacement schedules
for existing assets and bringing the MTA system into a state of good repair.
The 1995-99 Capital Program assumes the issuance of an estimated $5.1
billion in bonds under this $6.5 billion aggregate bonding authority. The
remainder of the plan is projected to be financed through assistance from
the State, the Federal government, and the City of New York, and from
various other revenues generated from actions taken by the MTA.
There can be no assurance that such governmental actions will be taken,
that sources currently identified will not be decreased or eliminated, or
that the 1995-1999 Capital Program will not be delayed or reduced. If the
MTA capital program is delayed or reduced because of funding shortfalls or
other factors, ridership and fare revenues may decline, which could, among
other things, impair the MTA's ability to meet its operating expenses
without additional State assistance.
The cities, towns, villages and school districts of the State are
political subdivisions of the State with the powers granted by the State
Constitution and statutes. As the sovereign, the State retains broad powers
and responsibilities with respect to the government, finances and welfare of
these political subdivisions, especially in education and social services.
In recent years the State has been called upon to provide added financial
assistance to certain localities.
Other Localities. Certain localities in addition to the City could
have financial problems leading to requests for additional State assistance
during the last several State fiscal years. The potential impact on the
State of such actions by localities is not included in the projections of
the State receipts and disbursements in the State's 1997-98 fiscal year.
Fiscal difficulties experienced by the City of Yonkers resulted in the
re-establishment of the Financial Control Board for the City of Yonkers by
the State in 1984. That Board is charged with oversight of the fiscal
affairs of Yonkers. Future actions taken by the State to assist Yonkers
could result in increased State expenditures for extraordinary local
assistance.
Beginning in 1990, the City of Troy experienced a series of budgetary
deficits that resulted in the establishment of a Supervisory Board for the
City of Troy in 1994. The Supervisory Board's powers were increased in
1995, when Troy MAC was created to help Troy avoid default on certain
obligations. The legislation creating Troy MAC prohibits the City of Troy
from seeking federal bankruptcy protection while Troy MAC bonds are
outstanding.
Eighteen municipalities received extraordinary assistance during the
1996 legislative session through $50 million in special appropriations
targeted for distressed cities, and that was largely continued in 1997.
Twenty-eight municipalities are scheduled to share the more than $32 million
in targeted unrestricted aid allocated in the 1997-98 budget.
Municipalities and school districts have engaged in substantial
short-term and long-term borrowings. In 1995, the total indebtedness of all
localities in the State, other than the City, was approximately $19 billion.
A small portion (approximately $102.3 million) of this indebtedness
represented borrowing to finance budgetary deficits and was issued pursuant
to enabling State legislation. State law requires the Comptroller to review
and make recommendations concerning the budgets of those local government
units other than the City authorized by State law to issue debt to finance
deficits during the period that such deficit financing is outstanding.
Eighteen localities had outstanding indebtedness for deficit financing at
the close of their fiscal year ending in 1995.
From time to time, Federal expenditure reductions could reduce, or in
some cases eliminate, Federal funding of some local programs and accordingly
might impose substantial increased expenditure requirements on affected
localities to increase local revenues to sustain those expenditures. If the
State, the City or any of the Agencies were to suffer serious financial
difficulties jeopardizing their respective access to the public credit
markets, the marketability of notes and bonds issued by localities within
the State could be adversely affected. Localities also face anticipated and
potential problems resulting from certain pending litigation, judicial
decisions and long-range economic trends. Long-range, potential problems of
declining urban population, increasing expenditures and other economic
trends could adversely affect localities and require increasing State
assistance in the future.
Certain litigation pending against the State or its officers or
employees could have a substantial or long-term adverse effect on State
finances. Among the more significant of these litigations are those that
involve: (i) the validity and fairness of agreements and treaties by which
various Indian tribes transferred title to the State of approximately six
million acres of land in central New York; (ii) certain aspects of the
State's Medicaid rates and regulations, including reimbursements to
providers of mandatory and optional Medicaid services; (iii) contamination
in the Love Canal area of Niagara Falls; (iv) a challenge to the State's
practice of reimbursing certain Office of Mental Health patient-care
expenses with clients' Social Security benefits; (v) a challenge to the
methods by which the State reimburses localities for the administrative
costs of food stamp programs; (vi) a challenge to the State's possession of
certain funds taken pursuant to the State's Abandoned Property law; (vii)
alleged responsibility of State officials to assist in remedying racial
segregation in the City of Yonkers; (viii) an action, in which the State is
a third party defendant, for injunctive or other appropriate relief,
concerning liability for the maintenance of stone groins constructed along
certain areas of Long Island's shoreline; (ix) actions challenging the
constitutionality of legislation enacted during the 1990 legislative session
which changed the actuarial funding methods for determining contributions to
State employee retirement systems; (x) an action against State and City
officials alleging that the present level of shelter allowance for public
assistance recipients is inadequate under statutory standards to maintain
proper housing; (xi) an action challenging legislation enacted in 1990 which
had the effect of deferring certain employer contributions to the State
Teachers' Retirement System and reducing State aid to school districts by a
like amount; (xii) a challenge to the constitutionality of financing
programs of the Thruway Authority authorized by Chapters 166 and 410 of the
Laws of 1991 (described below in this Part); (xiii) a challenge to the
constitutionality of financing programs of the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority and the Thruway Authority authorized by Chapter 56 of the Laws of
1993 (described below in this Part); (xiv) challenges to the delay by the
State Department of Social Services in making two one-week Medicaid payments
to the service providers; (xv) challenges by commercial insurers, employee
welfare benefit plans, and health maintenance organizations to provisions of
Section 2807-c of the Public Health Law which impose 13%, 11% and 9%
surcharges on inpatient hospital bills and a bad debt and charity care
allowance on all hospital bills paid by such entities; (xvi) challenges to
the promulgation of the State's proposed procedure to determine the
eligibility for and nature of home care services for Medicaid recipients;
(xvii) a challenge to State implementation of a program which reduces
Medicaid benefits to certain home-relief recipients; and (xviii) challenges
to the rationality and retroactive application of State regulations
recelebrating nursing home Medicaid rates.
(2) New York City. In the mid-1970s, the City had large accumulated
past deficits and until recently was not able to generate sufficient tax and
other ongoing revenues to cover expenses in each fiscal year. However, the
City has achieved balanced operating results for each of its fiscal years
since 1981 as reported in accordance with the then-applicable GAAP
standards. The City's ability to maintain balanced operating results in
future years is subject to numerous contingencies and future developments.
In 1975, the City became unable to market its securities and entered a
period of extraordinary financial difficulties. In response to this crisis,
the State created MAC to provide financing assistance to the City and also
enacted the New York State Financial Emergency Act for the City of New York
(the "Emergency Act") which, among other things, created the Financial
Control Board (the "Control Board") to oversee the City's financial affairs
and facilitate its return to the public credit markets. The State also
established the Office of the State Deputy Comptroller ("OSDC") to assist
the Control Board in exercising its powers and responsibilities. On June
30, 1986, the Control Board's powers of approval over the City Financial
Plan were suspended pursuant to the Emergency Act. However, the Control
Board, MAC and OSDC continue to exercise various monitoring functions
relating to the City's financial condition. The City prepares and operates
under a four-year financial plan which is submitted annually to the Control
Board for review and which the City periodically updates.
The City's independently audited operating results for each of its
fiscal years from 1981 through 1995 show a General Fund surplus reported in
accordance with GAAP. The City has eliminated the cumulative deficit in its
net General Fund position.
During the 1990 and 1991 fiscal years, as a result of a slowing
economy, the City has experienced significant shortfalls in almost all of
its major tax sources and increases in social services costs, and was
required to take actions to close substantial budget gaps in order to
maintain balanced budgets in accordance with the Financial Plan.
According to a recent OSDC economic report, the City's economy was slow
to recover from the recession and was expected to have experienced a weak
employment situation, and moderate wage and income growth, during the 1995-
96 period. Also, Financial Plan reports of OSDC, the Control Board, and the
City Comptroller have variously indicated that many of the City's balanced
budgets have been accomplished, in part, through the use of non-recurring
resource, tax and fee increases, personnel reductions and additional State
assistance; that the City has not yet brought its long-term expenditures in
line with recurring revenues; that the City's proposed gap-closing programs,
if implemented, would narrow future budget gaps; that these programs tend to
rely heavily on actions outside the direct control of the City; and that the
City is therefore likely to continue to face futures projected budget gaps
requiring the City to reduce expenditures and/or increase revenues.
According to the most recent staff reports of OSDC, the Control Board and
the City Comptroller during the four-year period covered by the current
Financial Plan, the City is relying on obtaining substantial resources from
initiatives needing approval and cooperation of its municipal labor unions,
Covered Organizations, and City Council, as well as the State and Federal
governments, among others, and there can be no assurance that such approval
can be obtained.
The City requires certain amounts of financing for seasonal and capital
spending purposes. The City issued $1.75 billion of notes for seasonal
financing purposes during the 1994 fiscal year. The City's capital financing
program projects long-term financing requirements of approximately $17
billion for the City's fiscal years 1995 through 1998 for the construction
and rehabilitation of the City's infrastructure and other fixed assets. The
major capital requirement include expenditures for the City's water supply
system, and waste disposal systems, roads, bridges, mass transit, schools
and housing. In addition, the City and the Municipal Water Finance
Authority issued about $1.8 billion in refunding bonds in the 1994 fiscal
year.
State Economic and Demographic Trends. The State historically has been
one of the wealthiest states in the nation. For decades, however, the State
has grown more slowly than the nation as a whole, gradually eroding its
relative economic position. Statewide, urban centers have experienced
significant changes involving migration of the more affluent to the suburbs
and an influx of generally less affluent residents. Regionally, the older
Northeast cities have suffered because of the relative success that the
South and the West have had in attracting people and business. The City has
also had to face greater competition as other major cities have developed
financial and business capabilities which make them less dependent on the
specialized services traditionally available almost exclusively in the City.
During the 1982-83 recession, overall economic activity in the State
declined less than that of the nation as a whole. However, in the calendar
years 1984 through 1991, the State's rate of economic expansion was somewhat
slower than that of the nation. In the 1990-91 recession, the economy of
the State, and that of the rest of the Northeast, was more heavily damaged
than that of the nation as a whole and has been slower to recover. The
total employment growth rate in the State has been below the national
average since 1984. The unemployment rate in the State dipped below the
national rate in the second half of 1981 and remained lower until 1991;
since then, it has been higher. According to data published by the U.S.
Bureau of Economic Analysis, during the past ten years, total personal
income in the State rose slightly faster than the national average only from
1986 through 1988.
At the State level, moderate growth is projected to continue in 1998
and 1999 for employment, wages, and personal income, although the growth
rates will lessen gradually during the course of the two years. Personal
income is estimated to grow by 5.4% in 1997, fueled in part by a continued
large increase in financial sector bonus payments, and is projected to grow
4.7% in 1998 and 4.4% in 1999. Increases in bonus payments at year-end 1998
are projected to be modest, a substantial change from the rate of increase
of the law few years. Overall employment growth is expected to continue at
a modest rate, reflecting the slowing growth in the national economy,
continued spending restraint in government, and restructuring in the health
care, social service, and banking sectors.
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 is 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.
Plus (+) or minus (-): The ratings from AA to BBB may be modified by
the addition of a plus or minus designation to show relative standing within
the major ratings categories.
Municipal Note Ratings
SP-1
The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit very strong or strong
capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess
overwhelming safety characteristics are given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2
The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit satisfactory capacity to
pay principal and interest.
Commercial Paper Ratings
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the
likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more
than 365 days. Issues assigned an A rating 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.
A-1
This designation 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 (+)
designation.
A-2
Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is strong.
However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues
designated A-1.
Moody's
Municipal Bond Ratings
Aaa
Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They
carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to
as "gilt edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized
are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such
issues.
Aa
Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by
all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what generally are
known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because
margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or
fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which
make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A
Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes
and are to be considered as upper medium-grade obligations. Factors giving
security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may
be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment 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.
Generally, Moody's provides either a generic rating or a rating with a
numerical modifier of 1 for bonds in each of the generic rating categories
Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B. Moody's also provides numerical modifiers of 2 and 3
in each of these categories for bond issues in the health care, higher
education and other not-for-profit sectors; the modifier 1 indicates that
the issue ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the
modifier 2 indicates that the issue is in the mid-range of the generic
category; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue is in the low end of
the generic 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 differences between short-term credit risk and long-term risk. Factors
affecting the liquidity of the borrower and short-term cyclical elements are
critical in short-term ratings, while other factors of major importance in
bond risk, long-term secular trends for example, may be less important over
the short run.
A short-term rating may also be assigned on an issue having a demand
feature. Such ratings will be designated as VMIG or, if the demand feature
is not rated, as NR.
Short-term ratings on issues with demand features are differentiated by
the use of the VMIG symbol to reflect such characteristics as payment upon
periodic demand rather than fixed maturity dates and payment relying on
external liquidity. Additionally, investors should be alert to the fact
that the source of payment may be limited to the external liquidity with no
or limited legal recourse to the issuer in the event the demand is not met.
Moody's short-term ratings are designated Moody's Investment Grade as
MIG 1 or VMIG 1 through MIG 4 or VMIG 4. As the name implies, when Moody's
assigns a MIG or VMIG rating, all categories define an investment grade
situation.
MIG 1/VMIG 1
This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong
protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or
demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2/VMIG 2
This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are ample
although not so large as in the preceding group.
Commercial Paper Ratings
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.
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.
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.
Short-Term Ratings
Fitch's short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable
on demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including
commercial paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal
and investment notes.
Although the credit analysis is similar to Fitch's bond rating
analysis, the short-term rating places greater emphasis than bond ratings on
the existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer's obligations in a
timely manner.
F-1+
Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are
regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
F-1
Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an
assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated F-
1+.
F-2
Good Credit Quality. Issues carrying this rating have a satisfactory
degree of assurance for timely payments, but the margin of safety is not as
great as the F-1+ and F-1 categories.
DREYFUS NEW YORK INSURED 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 each of the ten years
ended December 31, 1997.
Incorporated by reference in Part B of the Registration
Statement:
Statement of Investments-- December 31, 1997.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities--December 31, 1997.
Statement of Operations--year ended December 31, 1997.
Statement of Changes in Net Assets--for the years ended
December 31, 1996 and 1997.
Financial Highlights for each of the five years ended
December 31, 1997.
Notes to Financial Statements
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors, dated
February 2, 1998.
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
incorporated by reference in Part B of the Registration Statement.
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits. - List (continued)
_______ _____________________________________________________
(b) Exhibits:
(1) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust is incorporated
by reference to Exhibit (1) of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 11 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed
on April 19, 1996.
(2) By-Laws are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A filed on March 25, 1994.
(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 December 31, 1986.
(5) Management Agreement is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 1,
1995.
(6)(a) Distribution Agreement is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (6)(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 1,
1995.
(6)(b) Forms of Service Agreements are incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (6)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 9 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed
on March 1, 1995.
(8)(a) Amended and Restated Custody Agreement dated August 18,
1989 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (8)(a) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 19, 1996.
(8)(b) Sub-Custodian Agreements are incorporated by reference
to Exhibit (8)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April
19, 1996.
(10) Opinion and Consent of Counsel is incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (10) of Post-Effective Amendment No.
11 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on
April 19, 1996.
(11) Consent of Independent Auditors.
(15) Service Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (15)
of Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 1, 1995.
(16) Schedules of Computation of Performance Data are
incorporated by reference to Exhibit (16) of Post-
Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A, filed on March 25, 1994.
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits. - List (continued)
_______ _____________________________________________________
(17) Financial Data Schedule.
Other Exhibits
______________
(a) Powers of Attorney.
(b) Certificate of Secretary.
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.
_______ ______________________________________________________________
Not Applicable
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities.
_______ ________________________________
(1) (2)
Number of Record
Title of Class Holders as of April 1, 1998
______________ ____________________________
Shares of beneficial interest 2,493
(Par value $.001)
Item 27. Indemnification
_______ _______________
Reference is made to Article EIGHTH of the Registrant's
Agreement and Declaration of Trust filed herewith. The application
of these provisions is limited by Article 10 of the Registrant's
By-Laws filed herewith and 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 of 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 made to the Distribution Agreement filed as Exhibit
(6)(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 1, 1995.
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, is a registered broker-dealer. 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:
Skillman Foundation;
Member of The Board of Vintners Intl.
BURTON C. BORGELT Chairman Emeritus of the Board and
Director Past Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
Director:
Dentsply International, Inc.
570 West College Avenue
York, Pennsylvania 17405;
Director:
DeVlieg-Bullard, Inc.
1 Gorham Island
Westport, Connecticut 06880
Mellon Bank Corporation***;
Mellon Bank, N.A.***
FRANK V. CAHOUET Chairman of the Board, President and
Director Chief Executive Officer:
Mellon Bank Corporation***;
Mellon Bank, N.A.***;
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
W. KEITH SMITH Chairman and Chief Executive Officer:
Chairman of the Board The Boston Company****;
Vice Chairman of the Board:
Mellon Bank Corporation***;
Mellon Bank, N.A.***;
Director:
Dentsply International, Inc.
570 West College Avenue
York, Pennsylvania 17405
CHRISTOPHER M. CONDRON Vice Chairman:
President, Chief Mellon Bank Corporation***;
Executive Officer, The Boston Company****;
Chief Operating Deputy Director:
Officer and a Mellon Trust***;
Director Chief Executive Officer:
The Boston Company Asset Management,
Inc.****;
President:
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company****
STEPHEN E. CANTER Director:
Vice Chairman and The Dreyfus Trust Company++;
Chief Investment Officer, Formerly, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer:
and a Director Kleinwort Benson Investment Management
Americas Inc.*
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:
Dreyfus America Fund+++;
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
The Dreyfus Trust Company++;
Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
President:
The Boston Company****;
Laurel Capital Advisors***;
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.;
Executive Vice President:
Mellon Bank, N.A.***;
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust
Company****
RICHARD F. SYRON Chairman of the Board and
Director Chief Executive Officer:
American Stock Exchange
86 Trinity Place
New York, New York 10006;
Director:
John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company
John Hancock Place, Box 111
Boston, Massachusetts 02117;
Thermo Electron Corporation
81 Wyman Street, Box 9046
Waltham, Massachusetts 02254-9046;
American Business Conference
1730 K Street, NW, Suite 120
Washington, D.C. 20006;
Trustee:
Boston College - Board of Trustees
140 Commonwealth Ave.
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02167-3934
J. DAVID OFFICER Vice Chairman:
Vice Chairman The Dreyfus Corporation*;
Director:
Dreyfus Financial Services Corporation*****;
Dreyfus Investment Services Corporation*****;
Mellon Trust of Florida
2875 Northeast 191st Street
North Miami Beach, Florida 33180;
Mellon Preferred Capital Corporation****;
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.****;
Mellon Trust of New York
1301 Avenue of the Americas - 41st Floor
New York, New York 10019;
Mellon Trust of California
400 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071-2806;
Executive Vice President:
Mellon Bank, N.A.***;
Vice Chairman and Director:
The Boston Company, Inc.****;
President and Director:
RECO, Inc.****;
The Boston Company Financial Services,
Inc.****;
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company****;
RONALD P. O'HANLEY Vice Chairman:
Vice Chairman The Dreyfus Corporation*;
Director:
The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC****;
TBCAM Holding, Inc.****;
Franklin Portfolio Holdings, Inc.
Two International Place - 22nd Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110;
Mellon Capital Management Corporation
595 Market Street, Suite #3000
San Francisco, California 94105;
Certus Asset Advisors Corporation
One Bush Street, Suite 450
San Francisco, California 94104;
Mellon-France Corporation***;
Chairman and Director:
Boston Safe Advisors, Inc.****;
Partner Representative:
Pareto Partners
271 Regent Street
London, England W1R 8PP;
Chairman and Trustee:
Mellon Bond Associates, LLP***;
Mellon Equity Associates, LLP***;
Trustee:
Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP***;
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer:
Mellon Global Investing Corp.***;
Partner:
McKinsey & Company, Inc.
Boston, Massachusetts
WILLIAM T. SANDALLS, JR. Director:
Senior Vice President and Dreyfus Partnership Management, Inc.*;
Chief Financial Officer Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.*;
Chairman and Director:
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
One American Express Plaza
Providence, Rhode Island 02903;
President and Director:
Lion Management, Inc.*;
Executive Vice President and Director:
Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.*;
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Director:
Dreyfus America Fund+++;
Vice President and Director:
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
The Truepenny Corporation*;
Treasurer, Financial Officer and Director:
The Dreyfus Trust Company++;
Treasurer and Director:
Dreyfus Management, Inc.*;
Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
Formerly, President and Director:
Sandalls & Co., Inc.
MARK N. JACOBS Vice President, Secretary and Director:
Vice President, Lion Management, Inc.*;
General Counsel Secretary:
and Secretary The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
Dreyfus Management, Inc.*;
Assistant Secretary:
Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.**;
Major Trading Corporation*;
The Truepenny Corporation*
PATRICE M. KOZLOWSKI None
Vice President-
Corporate Communications
MARY BETH LEIBIG None
Vice President-
Human Resources
JEFFREY N. NACHMAN President and Director:
Vice President-Mutual Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
Fund Accounting One American Express Plaza
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
ANDREW S. WASSER Vice President:
Vice President-Information Mellon Bank Corporation***
Services
WILLIAM V. HEALEY President:
Assistant Secretary The Truepenny Corporation*;
Vice President and Director:
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation*;
Secretary and Director:
Dreyfus Partnership Management Inc.*;
Director:
The Dreyfus Trust Company++;
Assistant Secretary:
Dreyfus Service Corporation*;
Dreyfus Investment Advisors, Inc.*;
Assistant Clerk:
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Massachusetts,
Inc.+++++
______________________________________
* The address of the business so indicated is 200 Park Avenue, New York,
New York 10166.
** The address of the business so indicated is 131 Second Street,
Lewes, Delaware 19958.
*** The address of the business so indicated is One Mellon Bank Center,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258.
**** The address of the business so indicated is One Boston Place,
Boston, Massachusetts 02108.
***** The address of the business so indicated is Union Trust Building,
501 Grant Street, Room 179, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15259;
+ 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 69, Route `d'Esch, L-
1470 Luxembourg.
++++ The address of the business so indicated is 69, Route `d'Esch, L-
2953 Luxembourg.
+++++ The address of the business so indicated is 53 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02103.
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 Funds, 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 GNMA Fund
7) Dreyfus BASIC Money Market Fund, Inc.
8) Dreyfus BASIC Municipal Fund, Inc.
9) Dreyfus BASIC U.S. Government Money Market Fund
10) Dreyfus California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
11) Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
12) Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
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) Dreyfus Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
18) Dreyfus Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
19) The Dreyfus Fund Incorporated
20) Dreyfus Global Bond Fund, Inc.
21) Dreyfus Global Growth Fund
22) Dreyfus GNMA Fund, Inc.
23) Dreyfus Government Cash Management Funds
24) Dreyfus Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
25) Dreyfus Growth and Value Funds, Inc.
26) Dreyfus Growth Opportunity Fund, Inc.
27) Dreyfus Income Funds
28) Dreyfus Index Funds, Inc.
29) Dreyfus Institutional Money Market Fund
30) Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Money Market Fund
31) Dreyfus Institutional Short Term Treasury Fund
32) Dreyfus Insured Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
33) Dreyfus Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
34) Dreyfus International Funds, Inc.
35) Dreyfus Investment Grade Bond Funds, Inc.
36) The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc.
37) The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust
38) The Dreyfus/Laurel Tax-Free Municipal Funds
39) Dreyfus LifeTime Portfolios, Inc.
40) Dreyfus Liquid Assets, Inc.
41) Dreyfus Massachusetts Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
42) Dreyfus Massachusetts Municipal Money Market Fund
43) Dreyfus Massachusetts Tax Exempt Bond Fund
44) Dreyfus MidCap Index Fund
45) Dreyfus Money Market Instruments, Inc.
46) Dreyfus Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
47) Dreyfus Municipal Cash Management Plus
48) Dreyfus Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
49) Dreyfus New Jersey Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
50) Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
51) Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
52) Dreyfus New Leaders Fund, Inc.
53) Dreyfus New York Insured Tax Exempt Bond Fund
54) Dreyfus New York Municipal Cash Management
55) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
56) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Intermediate Bond Fund
57) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
58) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Intermediate Term Fund
59) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund
60) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
61) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Short Term Fund
62) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
63) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund
64) Dreyfus Premier California Municipal Bond Fund
65) Dreyfus Premier Equity Funds, Inc.
66) Dreyfus Premier International Funds, Inc.
67) Dreyfus Premier GNMA Fund
68) Dreyfus Premier Worldwide Growth Fund, Inc.
69) Dreyfus Premier Insured Municipal Bond Fund
70) Dreyfus Premier Municipal Bond Fund
71) Dreyfus Premier New York Municipal Bond Fund
72) Dreyfus Premier State Municipal Bond Fund
73) Dreyfus Premier Value Fund
74) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Government Fund
75) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
76) The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.
77) Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc.
78) Dreyfus Tax Exempt Cash Management
79) The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.
80) Dreyfus Treasury Cash Management
81) Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management
82) Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund
83) Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc.
84) General California Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
85) General California Municipal Money Market Fund
86) General Government Securities Money Market Fund, Inc.
87) General Money Market Fund, Inc.
88) General Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
89) General Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
90) General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
91) General New York Municipal Money Market 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
Executive Officer and Compliance Treasurer
Officer
Joseph F. Tower, III+ Director, Senior Vice President, Vice President
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer and Assistant
Treasurer
Richard W. Ingram Executive Vice President Vice President
and Assistant
Treasurer
Mary A. Nelson+ Vice President Vice President
and Assistant
Treasurer
Christopher J. Kelly+ Vice President and Senior Associate Vice President
General Counsel Assistant Secretary and Assistant
Secretary
Paul Prescott+ Vice President None
Jean M. O'Leary+ Assistant Secretary and None
Assistant Clerk
John W. Gomez+ Director None
William J. Nutt+ Director None
________________________________
+ Principal business address is 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02109.
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
________________________________
1. First Data Investor 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. Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
P.O. Box 9671
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671
4. 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 Board member or Board members when
requested in writing to do so by the holders of at least 10% of
the Registrant's outstanding shares 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 13th day of April, 1998.
DREYFUS NEW YORK INSURED 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 date indicated.
Signatures Title Date
___________________________ ______________________________ ___________
/s/Marie E. Connolly* President (Principal Executive, 4/13/98
- --------------------------- Financial and Accounting Officer)
Marie E. Connolly
/s/Joseph S. DiMartino* Chairman of the Board 4/13/98
- ---------------------------
Joseph S. DiMartino
/s/Gordon J. Davis* Trustee 4/13/98
- ---------------------------
Gordon J. Davis
/s/David P. Feldman* Trustee 4/13/98
- ---------------------------
David P. Feldman
/s/Lynn Martin* Trustee 4/13/98
- ---------------------------
Lynn Martin
/s/Daniel Rose* Trustee 4/13/98
- ---------------------------
Daniel Rose
/s/Philip L. Toia* Trustee 4/13/98
- ---------------------------
Philip L. Toia
/s/Sander Vanocur* Trustee 4/13/98
- ---------------------------
Sander Vanocur
/s/Anne Wexler* Trustee 4/13/98
- ---------------------------
Anne Wexler
/s/Rex Wilder* Trustee 4/13/98
- ---------------------------
Rex Wilder
*BY: /s/Michael S. Petrucelli
---------------------------
Michael S. Petrucelli,
Attorney-in-Fact
DREYFUS NEW YORK INSURED TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A under
the Securities Act of 1933 and
the Investment Company Act of 1940
--------------
EXHIBITS
--------------
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
(11) Consent of Independent Auditors.
(17) Financial Data Schedule.
Other Exhibits
(a) Powers of Attorney
(b) Certificate of Secretary
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Condensed
Financial Information" and "Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent,
Custodian, Counsel and Independent Auditors" and to the use of our report
dated February 2, 1998, which is incorporated by reference, in this Registration
Statement (Form N-1A No. 33-9654) of Dreyfus New York Insured Tax Exempt Bond
Fund.
/s/Ernst & Young
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
New York, New York
April 13, 1998
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000804260
<NAME> DREYFUS NEW YORK INSURED TAX EXEMPT BOND FUND
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 129091
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 136432
<RECEIVABLES> 2202
<ASSETS-OTHER> 2163
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 140797
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 4821
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 154
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 4975
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 127490
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 11947
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 12763
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 541
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 7341
<NET-ASSETS> 135822
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 7496
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 1361
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 6137
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 1739
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 1772
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 9648
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> 6137
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 1484
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1022
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (2293)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 455
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> (7015)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 286
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 823
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 1361
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 137212
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 11.19
<PER-SHARE-NII> .50
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .30
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.50)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.12)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 11.37
<EXPENSE-RATIO> .001
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
Item 24
Other Exhibits (a)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitute and appoint Marie E. Connolly, Richard W.
Ingram, Christopher J. Kelly, Kathleen K. Morrisey, Michael S. Petrucelli and
Elba Vasquez, and each of them, with full power to act without the other, his
or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him or her, and in his or her name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities (until revoked in writing) to sign
any and all amendments to the Registration Statement of each Fund enumerated
on Exhibit A hereto (including post-effective amendments and amendments
thereto), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of
them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of
them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
/s/ Joseph S. DiMartino
______________________________ February 12, 1998
Joseph S. DiMartino
/s/ Gordon J. Davis
______________________________ February 12, 1998
Gordon J. Davis
/s/ David P. Feldman
______________________________ February 12, 1998
David P. Feldman
/s/ Lynn Martin
______________________________ February 12, 1998
Lynn Martin
/s/ Daniel Rose
______________________________ February 12, 1998
Daniel Rose
/s/ Philip L. Toia
______________________________ February 12, 1998
Philip L. Toia
/s/ Sander Vanocur
______________________________ February 12, 1998
Sander Vanocur
/s/ Anne Wexler
______________________________ February 12, 1998
Anne Wexler
/s/ Rex Wilder
______________________________ February 12, 1998
Rex Wilder
Item 24(b)
Other Exhibits (b)
Certificate of Secretary
The undersigned, Michael S. Petrucelli, Vice President and Assistant
Secretary of each of the Funds listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (each, a
"Fund"), hereby certifies that set forth below is a copy of the resolution
adopted by the Fund's Board authorizing the signing by Marie E. Connolly,
Richard W. Ingram, Christopher J. Kelley, Kathleen K. Morrisey, Michael S.
Petrucelli and Elba Vasquez 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
Marie E. Connolly, Richard W. Ingram, Christopher J. Kelley,
Kathleen K. Morrisey, Michael S. Petrucelli and Elba Vasquez, as
the attorney-in-fact for the proper officers of the Fund, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution; and that the appointment
of each of such persons as such attorney-in-fact hereby is
authorized and approved, and that such attorneys-in-fact, and each
of them, shall have full power and authority to do and perform each
and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
connection with such Registration Statement and any and all
amendments and supplements thereto, as 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 April 13, 1998.
/s/ Michael S. Petrucelli
Michael S. Petrucelli
Vice President and
Assistant Secretary
EXHIBIT A
Dreyfus BASIC GNMA Fund
Dreyfus Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
Dreyfus Global Growth Fund
Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
Dreyfus New York Insured Tax Exempt Bond Fund
Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Intermediate Term Fund
Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund
Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Short Term Fund
