File Nos. 33-9634
811-4888
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 SHORT-INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT 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)
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X on April 1, 2000 pursuant to paragraph (b)
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii)
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pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of Rule 485
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If appropriate, check the following box:
this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
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Dreyfus
Short-Intermediate
Government Fund
Investing in U.S. government securities
to maximize current income
PROSPECTUS April 1, 2000
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not
approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Contents
THE FUND
- ----------------------------------------------------
What every investor
should know about
the fund
2 Goal/Approach
3 Main Risks
4 Past Performance
5 Expenses
6 Management
7 Financial Highlights
YOUR INVESTMENT
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Information
for managing your
fund account
8 Account Policies
11 Distributions and Taxes
12 Services for Fund Investors
14 Instructions for Regular Accounts
16 Instructions for IRAs
FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Where to learn more
about this and other
Dreyfus funds
Back Cover
<PAGE>
The Fund
Dreyfus Short-Intermediate
Government Fund
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Ticker Symbol: DSIGX
GOAL/APPROACH
The fund seeks to provide as high a level of current income as is consistent
with the preservation of capital. To pursue this goal, it invests in securities
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or
instrumentalities, and in repurchase agreements. The fund may invest up to 35%
of its net assets in mortgage-related securities issued by U.S. government
agencies or instrumentalities, such as mortgage pass-through securities issued
by the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage
Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and collateralized
mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), including stripped mortgage-backed securities.
Typically in choosing securities, the portfolio manager first examines U.S. and
global economic conditions and other market factors in order to estimate long-
and short-term interest rates. Using a research-driven investment process,
generally, the portfolio manager then seeks to identify potentially profitable
issues before they are widely perceived by the market, and seeks underpriced or
mispriced securities that appear likely to perform well over time.
The fund generally maintains an effective duration of approximately three years
or less. Duration is an indication of how sensitive a bond or mutual fund
portfolio may be to changes in interest rates. Generally, the longer the
duration, the more volatility an investor should expect.
INFORMATION ON THE FUND'S RECENT STRATEGIES AND HOLDINGS CAN BE FOUND IN THE
CURRENT ANNUAL/SEMIANNUAL REPORT (SEE BACK COVER).
Concepts to understand
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES: pools of residential or commercial mortgages
whose cash flows are "passed through" to the holders of the securities via
monthly payments of interest and principal.
CMOS: multi-class bonds backed by pools of mortgage pass-through securities or
mortgage loans. CMOs may be issued by government agencies or by private issuers
STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES: the separate income or principal components
of a mortgage-backed security. CMOs may be partially stripped so that each
investor receives some interest and some principal, or fully stripped into
interest-only and principal-only components.
2
<PAGE 2>
MAIN RISKS
Prices of bonds tend to move inversely with changes in interest rates. While a
rise in rates may allow the fund to invest for higher yields, the most immediate
effect is usually a drop in bond prices, and therefore in the fund's share price
as well. To the extent that the fund maintains a higher duration than short-term
funds, its share price typically will react more to interest rate movements. As
a result, the value of your investment in the fund could go up and down, which
means that you could lose money.
Other risk factors could have an effect on the fund's performance:
* if the fund's mortgage-related securities are paid off substantially
earlier or later than expected, the fund's share price or yields could be
hurt
* the value of certain types of stripped mortgage-backed securities may move
in the same direction as interest rates
* because many types of U.S. government securities trade actively among
investors outside the U.S., their prices may rise and fall as changes in
global economic conditions affect the demand for these securities
While some of the fund's securities may carry guarantees by the U.S. government
or its agencies or instrumentalities, these guarantees do not apply to the
market value of those securities or to shares of the fund itself.
Other potential risks
Most mortgage-backed securities are a form of derivative. Derivatives can be
illiquid and highly sensitive to changes in their underlying securities,
interest rate or index, and can be highly volatile as a result.
At times, the fund may engage in short-term trading. When employed, this could
increase the fund's transaction costs and taxable distributions, lowering its
after-tax performance accordingly.
The Fund 3
<PAGE 3>
PAST PERFORMANCE
The bar chart and table below show some of the risks of investing in the fund.
The bar chart shows the changes in the fund's performance from year to year. The
table compares the fund's average annual total return to that of the Merrill
Lynch Governments, U.S. Treasury, Short-Term (1-3 Years) Index, a broad measure
of performance for Treasury securities with maturities between one and three
years. Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future results.
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Year-by-year total return AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR (%)
10.04 13.50 7.02 7.33 -0.75 12.61 3.96 6.14 6.47 1.88
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
BEST QUARTER: Q4 '91 +4.83%
WORST QUARTER: Q1 '92 -1.04%
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Average annual total return AS OF 12/31/99
<TABLE>
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
FUND 1.88% 6.15% 6.73%
MERRILL LYNCH GOVERNMENTS,
U.S. TREASURY, SHORT-TERM
(1-3 YEARS)
INDEX 3.06% 6.50% 6.58%
</TABLE>
What this fund is --
and isn't
This fund is a mutual fund:
a pooled investment that is professionally managed and gives you the
opportunity to participate in financial markets. It strives to
reach its stated goal, although as with all mutual funds, it cannot
offer guaranteed results.
An investment in this fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or
guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. It is
not a complete investment program. You could lose money in this fund,
but you also have the potential
to make money.
4
<PAGE 4>
EXPENSES
As an investor, you pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the fund,
which are described in the table below. Annual fund operating expenses are paid
out of fund assets, so their effect is included in the share price. The fund has
no sales charge (load) or Rule 12b-1 distribution fees.
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Fee table
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
Management 0.50%
Shareholder services fee 0.09%
Other expenses 0.12%
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TOTAL 0.71%
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Expense example
<TABLE>
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$73 $227 $395 $883
</TABLE>
This example shows what you could pay in expenses over
time. It uses the same hypothetical conditions other
funds use in their prospectuses: $10,000 initial
investment, 5% total return each year and no changes in
expenses. The figures shown would be the same whether
you sold your shares at the end of a period or kept
them. Because actual return and expenses will be
different, the example is for comparison only.
Concepts to understand
MANAGEMENT FEE: the fee paid to Dreyfus for managing the fund's portfolio and
assisting in all aspects of the fund's operations.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE: a fee of up to 0.25% used to reimburse Dreyfus Service
Corporation for shareholder account service and maintenance.
OTHER EXPENSES: fees paid by the fund for miscellaneous items such as transfer
agency, custody, professional and registration fees.
The Fund 5
<PAGE 5>
MANAGEMENT
The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages more than $127
billion in over 160 mutual fund portfolios. For the past fiscal year, the fund
paid Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 0.50% of the fund's average
daily net assets. Dreyfus is the primary mutual fund business of Mellon
Financial Corporation, a global financial services company with approximately
$2.5 trillion of assets under management, administration or custody, including
approximately $485 billion under management. Mellon provides wealth management,
global investment services and a comprehensive array of banking services for
individuals, businesses and institutions. Mellon is headquartered in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
The fund, Dreyfus and Dreyfus Service Corporation (the fund's distributor) each
have adopted a code of ethics that permits its personnel, subject to such code,
to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by
the fund. The Dreyfus code of ethics restricts the personal securities
transactions of its employees, and requires portfolio managers and other
investment personnel to comply with the code's preclearance and disclosure
procedures. Its primary purpose is to ensure that personal trading by Dreyfus
employees does not disadvantage any Dreyfus-managed fund.
Portfolio manager
Gerald Thunelius is the fund's primary portfolio manager, a position he has held
since June 1994. Mr. Thunelius joined Dreyfus in May 1989.
6
<PAGE 6>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This table describes the fund's performance for the fiscal periods indicated.
"Total return" shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased
(or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and
distributions. These figures have been independently audited by Ernst & Young
LLP, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in
the annual report.
<TABLE>
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30,
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 10.82 10.82 10.95 11.06 10.57
Investment operations:
Investment income -- net .63 .74 .66 .65 .73
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments (.39) .01 (.13) (.11) .49
Total from investment operations .24 .75 .53 .54 1.22
Distributions:
Dividends from investment income -- net (.63) (.75) (.66) (.65) (.73)
Dividends from net realized gain
on investments -- -- -- -- --
Total distributions (.63) (.75) (.66) (.65) (.73)
Net asset value, end of period 10.43 10.82 10.82 10.95 11.06
Total return (%) 2.33 7.21 4.93 5.08 11.91
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RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of expenses
to average net assets (%) .71 .70 .74 .74 .66
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets (%) 6.00 6.85 6.13 5.99 6.73
Decrease reflected in above expense ratios
due to actions by Dreyfus (%) -- -- .01 -- .09
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 1,096.12 902.14 818.39 594.44 387.60
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 434,782 487,714 488,172 569,319 573,681
The Fund 7
</TABLE>
<PAGE 7>
Your Investment
ACCOUNT POLICIES
Buying shares
YOU PAY NO SALES CHARGES to invest in this fund. Your price for fund shares is
the fund's net asset value per share (NAV), which is generally calculated as of
the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) every day the exchange is open. Your order will be priced at the next NAV
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or other
authorized entity. The fund's investments are generally valued by an independent
pricing service approved and supervised by the fund's board.
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Minimum investments
Initial Additional
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REGULAR ACCOUNTS $2,500 $100
$500 FOR
TELETRANSFER
INVESTMENTS
TRADITIONAL IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
SPOUSAL IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
ROTH IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
EDUCATION IRAS $500 NO MINIMUM
AFTER THE FIRST
YEAR
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC $100 $100
INVESTMENT PLANS
All investments must be in U.S. dollars. Third-party
checks cannot be accepted. You may be charged a fee for
any check that does not clear. Maximum TeleTransfer
purchase is $150,000 per day.
Third-party investments
If you invest through a third party (rather than directly with Dreyfus), the
policies and fees may be different than those described here. Banks, brokers,
401(k) plans, financial advisers and financial supermarkets may charge
transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on
buying or selling shares. Consult a representative of your plan or financial
institution if in doubt.
8
<PAGE 8>
Selling shares
YOU MAY SELL (REDEEM) SHARES AT ANY TIME. Your shares will be sold at the next
NAV calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or
other authorized entity. Any certificates representing fund shares being sold
must be returned with your redemption request. Your order will be processed
promptly and you will generally receive the proceeds within a week.
BEFORE SELLING OR WRITING A CHECK for recently purchased shares, please note
that if the fund has not yet collected payment for the shares you are selling,
it may delay sending the proceeds for up to eight business days or until it has
collected payment.
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Limitations on selling shares by phone
Proceeds
sent by Minimum Maximum
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CHECK NO MINIMUM $250,000 PER DAY
WIRE $1,000 $500,000 FOR JOINT
ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
TELETRANSFER $500 $500,000 FOR JOINT
ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
Written sell orders
Some circumstances require written sell orders along with signature guarantees.
These include:
* amounts of $10,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed
within the last 30 days
* requests to send the proceeds to a different payee or address
Written sell orders of $100,000 or more must also be signature guaranteed.
A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE helps protect against fraud. You can obtain one from most
banks or securities dealers, but not from a notary public. For joint accounts,
each signature must be guaranteed. Please call us to ensure that your signature
guarantee will be processed correctly.
Your Investment 9
<PAGE 9>
ACCOUNT POLICIES (CONTINUED)
General policies
UNLESS YOU DECLINE TELEPHONE PRIVILEGES on your application, you may be
responsible for any fraudulent telephone order as long as Dreyfus takes
reasonable measures to verify the order.
THE FUND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO:
* refuse any purchase or exchange request that could adversely affect the
fund or its operations, including those from any individual or group who,
in the fund's view, is likely to engage in excessive trading (usually
defined as more than four exchanges out of the fund within a calendar year)
* refuse any purchase or exchange request in excess of 1% of the fund's total
assets
* change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or temporarily suspend this
privilege during unusual market conditions
* change its minimum investment amounts
* delay sending out redemption proceeds for up to seven days (generally
applies only in cases of very large redemptions, excessive trading or
during unusual market conditions)
The fund also reserves the right to make a "redemption in kind" -- payment in
portfolio securities rather than cash -- if the amount you are redeeming is
large enough to affect fund operations (for example, if it represents more than
1% of the fund's assets).
Small account policies
To offset the relatively higher costs of servicing smaller accounts, the fund
charges regular accounts with balances below $2,000 an annual fee of $12. The
fee will be imposed during the fourth quarter of each calendar year.
The fee will be waived for: any investor whose aggregate Dreyfus mutual fund
investments total at least $25,000; IRA accounts; accounts participating in
automatic investment programs; and accounts opened through a financial
institution.
If your account falls below $500, the fund may ask you to increase your balance.
If it is still below $500 after 30 days, the fund may close your account and
send you the proceeds.
10
<PAGE 10>
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
THE FUND USUALLY PAYS ITS SHAREHOLDERS DIVIDENDS from its net investment income
once a month, and distributes any net capital gains it has realized once a year.
Your distributions will be reinvested in the fund unless you instruct the fund
otherwise. There are no fees or sales charges on reinvestments.
FUND DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ARE TAXABLE to most investors (unless your
investment is in an IRA or other tax-deferred account). The tax status of any
distribution is the same regardless of how long you have been in the fund and
whether you reinvest your distributions or take them in cash. In general,
distributions are federally taxable as follows:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxability of distributions
Type of Tax rate for Tax rate for
distribution 15% bracket 28% bracket or above
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME ORDINARY ORDINARY
DIVIDENDS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
SHORT-TERM ORDINARY ORDINARY
CAPITAL GAINS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS 10% 20%
The tax status of your dividends and distributions will be detailed in your
annual tax statement from the fund.
Because everyone's tax situation is unique, always consult your tax professional
about federal, state and local tax consequences.
Taxes on transactions
Except in tax-deferred accounts, any sale or exchange of fund shares, including
through the checkwriting privilege, may generate a tax liability. Of course,
withdrawals or distributions from tax-deferred accounts are taxable when
received.
The table at right also can provide a guide for your potential tax liability
when selling or exchanging fund shares. "Short-term capital gains" applies to
fund shares sold or exchanged up to 12 months after buying them. "Long-term
capital gains" applies to shares sold or exchanged after 12 months.
Your Investment 11
<PAGE 11>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS
Automatic services
BUYING OR SELLING SHARES AUTOMATICALLY is easy with the services described
below. With each service, you select a schedule and amount, subject to certain
restrictions. You can set up most of these services with your application or by
calling 1-800-645-6561.
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For investing
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making automatic investments
ASSET BUILDER((reg.tm)) from a designated bank account.
DREYFUS PAYROLL For making automatic investments
SAVINGS PLAN through a payroll deduction.
DREYFUS GOVERNMENT For making automatic investments
DIRECT DEPOSIT from your federal employment,
PRIVILEGE Social Security or other regular
federal government check.
DREYFUS DIVIDEND For automatically reinvesting the
SWEEP dividends and distributions from
one Dreyfus fund into another
(not available for IRAs).
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For exchanging shares
DREYFUS AUTO- For making regular exchanges
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE from one Dreyfus fund into
another.
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For selling shares
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making regular withdrawals
WITHDRAWAL PLAN from most Dreyfus funds.
Dreyfus Financial Centers
Through a nationwide network of Dreyfus Financial Centers, Dreyfus offers a full
array of investment services and products. This includes information on mutual
funds, brokerage services, tax-advantaged products and retirement planning.
Experienced financial consultants can help you make informed choices and provide
you with personalized attention in handling account transactions. The Financial
Centers also offer informative seminars and events. To find the Financial Center
nearest you, call 1-800-499-3327.
12
<PAGE 12>
Checkwriting privilege
YOU MAY WRITE REDEMPTION CHECKS against your account in amounts of $500 or more.
These checks are free; however, a fee will be charged if you request a stop
payment or if the transfer agent cannot honor a redemption check due to
insufficient funds or another valid reason. Please do not postdate your checks
or use them to close your account.
Exchange privilege
YOU CAN EXCHANGE SHARES WORTH $500 OR MORE (no minimum for retirement accounts)
from one Dreyfus fund into another. You can request your exchange in writing or
by phone. Be sure to read the current prospectus for any fund into which you are
exchanging before investing. Any new account established through an exchange
will have the same privileges as your original account (as long as they are
available). There is currently no fee for exchanges, although you may be charged
a sales load when exchanging into any fund that has one.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege
TO MOVE MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT and your Dreyfus fund account with a
phone call, use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up TeleTransfer
on your account by providing bank account information and following the
instructions on your application.
24-hour automated account access
YOU CAN EASILY MANAGE YOUR DREYFUS ACCOUNTS, check your account balances,
transfer money between your Dreyfus funds, get price and yield information and
much more -- when it's convenient for you -- by calling 1-800-645-6561.
Retirement plans
Dreyfus offers a variety of retirement plans, including traditional, Roth and
Education IRAs. Here's where you call for information:
* for traditional, rollover, Roth and Education IRAs, call 1-800-645-6561
* for SEP-IRAs, Keogh accounts, 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, call
1-800-358-0910
Your Investment 13
<PAGE 13>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGULAR ACCOUNTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete the application.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 9387, Providence, RI 02940-9387
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your
investment to The Bank of New York,
with these instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900052139
* the fund name
* your Social Security or tax ID number
* name(s) of investor(s)
Call us to obtain an account number.
Return your application.
Automatically
WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT Indicate
on your application which automatic
service(s) you want. Return your
application with your investment.
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Check
the Dreyfus Step Program option on your
application. Return your application,
then complete the additional materials
when they are sent to you.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site
http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account
application.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
Fill out an investment slip, and write your
account number on your check.
Mail the slip and the check to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 105, Newark, NJ 07101-0105
WIRE Have your bank send your
investment to The Bank of New York,
with these instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900052139
* the fund name
* your account number
* name(s) of investor(s)
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert
"1111" before your account number.
TELETRANSFER Request TeleTransfer on your
application. Call us to request your transaction.
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to
add any automatic investing service
(see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete
and return the forms along with any other
required materials.
14
<PAGE 14>
TO SELL SHARES
Write a redemption check OR letter of instruction
that includes:
* your name(s) and signature(s)
* your account number
* the fund name
* the dollar amount you want to sell
* how and where to send the proceeds
Obtain a signature guarantee or other documentation,
if required (see "Account Policies -- Selling Shares").
Mail your request to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 9671, Providence, RI 02940-9671
WIRE Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call us to
request your transaction. Proceeds will be wired to your bank.
TELETRANSFER Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call
us to request your transaction. Proceeds will be sent to your bank by electronic
check.
CHECK Call us to request your transaction. A check will be sent to the address
of record.
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request a form to add the plan.
Complete the form, specifying the amount and frequency of withdrawals you would
like.
Be sure to maintain an account balance of $5,000 or more.
To reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
Concepts to understand
WIRE TRANSFER: for transferring money from one financial institution to another.
Wiring is the fastest way to move money, although your bank may charge a fee to
send or receive wire transfers. Wire redemptions from the fund are subject to a
$1,000 minimum.
ELECTRONIC CHECK: for transferring money out of a bank account. Your transaction
is entered electronically, but may take up to eight business days to clear.
Electronic checks usually are available without a fee at all Automated Clearing
House (ACH) banks.
Your Investment 15
<PAGE 15>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR IRAS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete an IRA application, making sure
to specify the fund name and to indicate
the year the contribution is for.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian
P.O. Box 6427, Providence, RI 02940-6427
By Telephone
Automatically
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Call us
to request a Dreyfus Step Program form.
Complete and return the form along with
your application.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site
http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account
application.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
Fill out an investment slip, and write
your account number on your check. Indicate
the year the contribution is for.
Mail in the slip and the check (see "To Open
an Account" at left).
WIRE Have your bank send your
investment to The Bank of New York,
with these instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900052139
* the fund name
* your account number
* name of investor
* the contribution year
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert
"1111" before your account number.
TELEPHONE CONTRIBUTION Call to request us
to move money from a regular Dreyfus
account to an IRA (both accounts must be
held in the same shareholder name).
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to
add an automatic investing service (see
"Services for Fund Investors"). Complete
and return the form along with any
other required materials.
All contributions will count as current year.
16
<PAGE 16>
TO SELL SHARES
Write a redemption check* OR letter of instruction
that includes:
* your name and signature
* your account number and fund name
* the dollar amount you want to sell
* how and where to send the proceeds
* whether the distribution is qualified or premature
* whether the 10% TEFRA should be withheld
Obtain a signature guarantee or other
documentation, if required. Mail in your
request (see "To Open an Account" at left).
* A redemption check written for a qualified
distribution is not subject to TEFRA.
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request instructions to establish
the plan.
To reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
Concepts to understand
WIRE TRANSFER: for transferring money from one financial institution to another.
Wiring is the fastest way to move money, although your bank may charge a fee to
send or receive wire transfers. Wire redemptions from the fund are subject to a
$1,000 minimum.
ELECTRONIC CHECK: for transferring money out of a bank account. Your transaction
is entered electronically, but may take up to eight business days to clear.
Electronic checks usually are available without a fee at all Automated Clearing
House (ACH) banks.
Your Investment 17
<PAGE 17>
For More Information
Dreyfus Short-Intermediate
Government Fund
------------------------------
SEC file number: 811-4888
More information on this fund is available free upon
request, including the following:
Annual/Semiannual Report
Describes the fund's performance, lists portfolio
holdings and contains a letter from the fund's manager
discussing recent market conditions, economic trends and
fund strategies that significantly affected the fund's
performance during the last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
Provides more details about the fund and its policies. A
current SAI is on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and is incorporated by reference (is
legally considered part of this prospectus).
To obtain information:
BY TELEPHONE
Call 1-800-645-6561
BY MAIL Write to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
BY E-MAIL Send your request
to [email protected]
ON THE INTERNET Text-only
versions of certain fund
documents can be viewed
online or downloaded from:
SEC
http://www.sec.gov
DREYFUS
http://www.dreyfus.com
You can also obtain copies by
visiting the SEC's Public
Reference Room in Washington, DC
(for information, call 1-202-942-8090)
or, after paying a duplicating fee,
by E-mail request to
[email protected], or by writing to the SEC's
Public Reference Section,
Washington, DC 20549-0102.
(c) 2000 Dreyfus Service Corporation 542P0400
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DREYFUS SHORT-INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT FUND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
APRIL 1, 2000
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This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus,
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus of
Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Government Fund (the "Fund"), dated April 1, 2000, 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 one of 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 Fund's most recent Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to
Shareholders are separate documents supplied with this Statement of Additional
Information, and the financial statements, accompanying notes and report of
independent auditors appearing in the Annual Report are incorporated by
reference into this Statement of Additional Information.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Description of the Fund....................................................B-2
Management of the Fund.....................................................B-9
Management Arrangements....................................................B-12
How to Buy Shares..........................................................B-15
Shareholder Services Plan..................................................B-17
How to Redeem Shares.......................................................B-18
Shareholder Services.......................................................B-21
Determination of Net Asset Value...........................................B-24
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.........................................B-25
Portfolio Transactions.....................................................B-26
Performance Information....................................................B-26
Information About the Fund.................................................B-27
Counsel and Independent Auditors...........................................B-29
Year 2000 Issues...........................................................B-29
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
The Fund is a Massachusetts business trust that commenced operations on
April 6, 1987. The Fund is an open-end management investment company, known as a
mutual fund. The Fund is a diversified fund, which means that, with respect to
75% of its total assets, the Fund will not invest more than 5% of its assets in
the securities of any single issuer.
The Dreyfus Corporation (the "Manager") serves as the Fund's investment
adviser.
Effective March 22, 2000, Dreyfus Service Corporation (the "Distributor")
became the distributor of the Fund's shares.
Certain Portfolio Securities
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the Fund's Prospectus.
U.S. Government Securities. 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 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 currently 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.
U.S. Treasury securities include Treasury Inflation-Protection Securities
("TIPS"), which are issued by the U.S. Treasury designed to provide investors a
long term investment vehicle that is not vulnerable to inflation. The interest
rate paid by TIPS is fixed, while the principal value rises or falls
semi-annually based on changes in a published Consumer Price Index. Thus, if
inflation occurs, the principal and interest payments on the TIPS are adjusted
accordingly to protect investors from inflationary loss. During a deflationary
period, the principal and interest payments decrease, although the TIPS'
principal will not drop below its face amount at maturity.
In exchange for the inflation protection, TIPS generally pay lower
interest rates than typical Treasury securities. Only if inflation occurs will
TIPS offer a higher real yield than a conventional Treasury bond of the same
maturity. In addition, it is not possible to predict with assurance how the
market for TIPS will develop; initially, the secondary market for these
securities may not be as active or liquid as the secondary market for
conventional Treasury securities. Principal appreciation and interest payments
on TIPS will be taxed annually as ordinary interest income for Federal income
tax calculations. As a result, any appreciation in principal must be counted as
interest income in the year the increase occurs, even though the investor will
not receive such amounts until the TIPS are sold or mature. Principal
appreciation and interest payments will be exempt from state and local income
taxes.
Mortgage-Related Securities. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its net
assets in mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government
agencies or instrumentalities, including those with fixed, floating or variable
interest rates, those with interest rates that change based on multiples of
changes in a specified index of interest rates and those with interest rates
that change inversely to changes in interest rates, as well as stripped
mortgage-backed securities which do not bear interest. Mortgage-related
securities are a form of derivative collateralized by pools of commercial or
residential mortgages. Pools of mortgage loans are assembled as securities for
sale to investors by various governmental, government-related and private
organizations. These securities may include complex instruments such as
collateralized mortgage obligations, stripped mortgage-backed securities,
mortgage pass-through securities, interests in real estate mortgage investment
conduits ("REMICs"), and adjustable rate mortgages.
Residential Mortgage-Related Securities--The Fund may invest in mortgage-related
securities representing participation interests in pools of one- to four-family
residential mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by governmental agencies or
instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association
("GNMA"), the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), and the Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), or issued by private entities. Similar
to commercial mortgage-related securities, residential mortgage-related
securities have been issued using a variety of structures, including multi-class
structures featuring senior and subordinated classes.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Multi-Class Pass-Through
Securities--Collateralized mortgage obligations or "CMOs" are multiclass bonds
backed by pools of mortgage pass-through certificates or mortgage loans. CMOs in
which the Fund may invest may be collateralized by (a) pass-through certificates
issued or guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC, (b) unsecuritized mortgage loans
insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Department of
Veterans' Affairs or (c) any combination thereof.
Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a
specific coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date.
Principal prepayments on collateral underlying a CMO may cause it to be retired
substantially earlier than the stated maturities or final distribution dates.
The principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may be allocated among
the several classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. One or more tranches of a
CMO may have coupon rates which reset periodically at a specified increment over
an index, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") (or sometimes more
than one index). These floating rate CMOs typically are issued with lifetime
caps on the coupon rate thereon. The Fund also may invest in inverse floating
rate CMOs. Inverse floating rate CMOs constitute a tranche of a CMO with a
coupon rate that moves in the reverse direction to an applicable index such as
the LIBOR. Accordingly, the coupon rate thereon will increase as interest rates
decrease. Inverse floating rate CMOs are typically more volatile than fixed or
floating rate tranches of CMOs.
Many inverse floating rate CMOs have coupons that move inversely to a
multiple of an applicable index such as LIBOR. The effect of the coupon varying
inversely to a multiple of an applicable index creates a leverage factor. The
markets for inverse floating rate CMOs with highly leveraged characteristics may
at times by very thin. The Fund's ability to dispose of its positions in such
securities will depend on the degree of liquidity in the markets for such
securities. It is impossible to predict the amount of trading interest that may
exist in such securities, and therefore the future degree of liquidity. It
should be noted that inverse floaters 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 loss of principal.
As CMOs have evolved, some classes of CMO bonds have become more
prevalent. The planned amortization class (PAC) and targeted amortization class
(TAC), for example, were designed to reduce prepayment risk by establishing a
sinking-fund structure. PAC and TAC bonds assure to varying degrees that
investors will receive payments over a predetermined period under varying
prepayment scenarios. Although PAC and TAC bonds are similar, PAC bond are
better able to provide stable cash flows under various prepayment scenarios than
TAC bonds because of the order in which these tranches are paid.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities--The Fund also may invest in stripped
mortgage-backed securities which are created by segregating the cash flows from
underlying mortgage loans or mortgage securities to create two or more new
securities, each with a specified percentage of the underlying security's
principal or interest payments. Mortgage securities may be partially stripped so
that each investor class receives some interest and some principal. When
securities are completely stripped, however, all of the interest is distributed
to holders of one type of security, known as an interest-only security, or IO,
and all of the principal is distributed to holders of another type of security
known as a principal-only security, or PO. Strips can be created in a
pass-through structure or as tranches of a CMO. The yields to maturity on IOs
and POs are very sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including
prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets. If the underlying
mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal,
the Fund may not fully recoup its initial investment in IOs. Conversely, if the
underlying mortgage assets experience less than anticipated prepayments of
principal, the yield on POs could be materially and adversely affected.
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Loans ("ARMs")--ARMs eligible for inclusion in a
mortgage pool will generally provide for a fixed initial mortgage interest rate
for a specified period of time, generally for either the first three, six,
twelve, thirteen, thirty-six, or sixty scheduled monthly payments. Thereafter,
the interest rates are subject to periodic adjustment based on changes in an
index. ARMs typically have minimum and maximum rates beyond which the mortgage
interest rate may not vary over the lifetime of the loans. Certain ARMs provide
for additional limitations on the maximum amount by which the mortgage interest
rate may adjust for any single adjustment period. Limitations on monthly
payments can result in monthly payments that are greater or less than the amount
necessary to amortize a negatively amortizing ARM by its maturity at the
interest rate in effect during any particular month.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. 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.
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 securities. 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 or government securities regardless of
their remaining maturities, and will require that additional securities be
deposited with it if the value of the securities purchased should decrease below
resale price.
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.
These securities may include securities that are not readily marketable, such as
securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale and
repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after
notice. As to these securities, the Fund is subject to a risk that should the
Fund desire to sell them when a ready buyer is not available at a price that the
Fund deems representative of their value, the value of the Fund's net assets
could be adversely affected.
Investment Techniques
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the Fund's Prospectus.
Lending Portfolio Securities. The Fund 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. 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.
Borrowing Money. The Fund is permitted to borrow to the extent permitted
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (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 such borrowings exceed 5% of the Fund's total
assets, the Fund will not make any additional investments.
Short-Selling. In these transactions, the Fund sells a security it does
not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security. To
complete the transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to
the buyer. The Fund is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing
it subsequently at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at
such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by
the Fund, which would result in a loss or gain, respectively.
Securities will not be sold short if, after effect is given to any such
short sale, the total market value of all securities sold short would exceed 25%
of the value of the Fund's net assets. The Fund may not make a short sale which
results in the Fund having sold short in the aggregate more than 5% of the
outstanding securities of any class of an issuer.
The Fund also may make short sales "against the box," in which the Fund
enters into a short sale of a security it owns. At no time will more than 15% of
the value of the Fund's net assets be in deposits on short sales against the
box.
Until the Fund closes its short position or replaces the borrowed
security, the Fund will: (a) segregate permissible liquid assets in an amount
that, together with the amount deposited with the broker as collateral, always
equals the current value of the security sold short; or (b) otherwise cover its
short position.
Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a forward
commitment, when issued or delayed delivery basis, which means that delivery and
payment take place a number of days after the date of the commitment to purchase
or sell the securities at a predetermined price and/or yield. Typically, no
interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered. When
purchasing a security on a forward commitment basis, the Fund assumes the rights
and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield
fluctuations, and takes such fluctuations into account when determining its net
asset value. Because the Fund is not required to pay for these securities until
the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with the
Fund's other investments. If the Fund is fully or almost fully invested when
forward commitment purchases are outstanding, such purchases may result in a
form of leverage. The Fund intends to engage in forward commitments to increase
its portfolio's financial exposure to the types of securities in which it
invests. Leveraging the portfolio in this manner will increase the Fund's
exposure to changes in interest rates and will increase the volatility of its
returns. The Fund will segregate permissible liquid assets at least equal at all
times to the amount of the Fund's purchase commitments. At no time will the Fund
have more than 33-1/3% of its assets committed to purchase securities on a
forward commitment basis.
Forward Roll Transactions. To enhance current income, the Fund may enter
into forward roll transactions with respect to mortgage-related securities. In a
forward roll transaction, the Fund sells a mortgage-related security to a
financial institution, such as a bank or broker-dealer, and simultaneously
agrees to repurchase a similar security from the institution at a later date at
an agreed upon price. The securities that are repurchased will bear the same
interest rate as those sold, but generally will be collateralized by different
pools of mortgages with different pre-payment histories than those sold. During
the period between the sale and repurchase, the Fund will not be entitled to
receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold. Proceeds of the
sale will be invested in short-term instruments, particularly repurchase
agreements, and the income from these investments, together with any additional
fee income received on the sale will generate income for the Fund exceeding the
yield on the securities sold. Forward roll transactions involve the risk that
the market value of the securities sold by the Fund may decline below the
purchase price of those securities. The Fund will segregate permissible liquid
assets at least equal to the amount of the repurchase price (including accrued
interest).
Investment Considerations and Risks
Mortgage-Related Securities. Mortgage-related securities are complex
derivative instruments, subject to both credit and prepayment risk, and may be
more volatile and less liquid than more traditional debt securities. Although
certain mortgage-related securities are guaranteed by a third party (such as a
U.S. Government agency or instrumentality with respect to government-related
mortgage-backed securities) or otherwise similarly secured, the market value of
the security, which may fluctuate, is not secured. Mortgage-related securities
are subject to credit risks associated with the performance of the underlying
mortgage properties. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances
are more likely to have an adverse impact on mortgage-related securities secured
by loans on certain types of commercial properties than on those secured by
loans on residential properties. In addition, these securities are subject to
prepayment risk, although commercial mortgages typically have shorter maturities
than residential mortgages and prepayment protection features. Some
mortgage-related securities have structures that make their reactions to
interest rate changes and other factors difficult to predict, making their value
highly volatile.
In certain instances, the credit risk associated with mortgage-related
securities can be reduced by third party guarantees or other forms of credit
support. Improved credit risk does not reduce prepayment risk which is unrelated
to the rating assigned to the mortgage-related security. Prepayment risk can
lead to fluctuations in value of the mortgage-related security which may be
pronounced. If a mortgage-related security is purchased at a premium, all or
part of the premium may be lost if there is a decline in the market value of the
security, whether resulting from changes in interest rates or prepayments on the
underlying mortgage collateral. Certain mortgage-related securities that may be
purchased by the Fund, such as inverse floating rate collateral mortgage
obligations, have coupons that move inversely to a multiple of a specific index
which may result in a form of leverage. As with other interest-bearing
securities, the prices of certain mortgage-related securities are inversely
affected by changes in interest rates. However, although the value of a
mortgage-related security may decline when interest rates rise, the converse is
not necessarily true, since in periods of declining interest rates the mortgages
underlying the security are more likely to be prepaid. For this and other
reasons, a mortgage-related security's stated maturity may be shortened by
unscheduled prepayments on the underlying mortgages, and, therefore, it is not
possible to predict accurately the security's return to the Fund. Moreover, with
respect to certain stripped mortgage-backed securities, if the underlying
mortgage securities experience greater than anticipated prepayments of
principal, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment even if the
securities are rated in the highest rating category by a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization. During periods of rapidly rising interest
rates, prepayments of mortgage-related securities may occur at slower than
expected rates. Slower prepayments effectively may lengthen a mortgage-related
security's expected maturity which generally would cause the value of such
security to fluctuate more widely in response to changes in interest rates. Were
the prepayments on the Fund's mortgage-related securities to decrease broadly,
the Fund's effective duration, and thus sensitivity to interest rate
fluctuations, would increase.
Simultaneous Investments. Investment decisions for the Fund are made
independently from those of other investment companies advised by the Manager.
If, however, such other investment companies desire to invest in, or depose 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.
Investment Restrictions
The Fund's investment objective is a fundamental policy, which cannot be
changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940
Act) of the Fund's outstanding voting shares. In addition, the Fund has adopted
investment restrictions numbered 1 through 9 as fundamental policies. Investment
restrictions numbered 10 and 11 are not fundamental policies and may be changed
by a vote of a majority of the Fund's Board members at any time. The Fund may
not:
1. Purchase common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants or other equity
securities, or purchase corporate bonds or debentures, state bonds,
municipal bonds or industrial revenue bonds.
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).
3. Purchase securities on margin or write or purchase put or call
options or combinations thereof.
4. Underwrite the securities of other issuers.
5. Purchase or sell real estate, real estate investment trust
securities, commodities or commodity contracts, or oil and gas
interests.
6. Make loans to others except through the purchase of debt obligations
and the entry into repurchase agreements referred to in the Fund's
Prospectus. 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.
7. Invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities of
issuers in any single industry; provided that there shall be no such
limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by
the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.
8. Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control.
9. Invest in securities of other investment companies, except as they
may be acquired as part of a merger, consolidation or acquisition of
assets.
10. Pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber its assets,
except to the extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings.
11. Enter into repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more
than seven days after notice or purchase securities which are
illiquid, if, in the aggregate, more than 15% of the value of the
Fund's net assets would be so invested.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
later increase in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets will
not constitute a violation of that restriction.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Fund's Board is responsible for the management and supervision of the
Fund. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Fund and those
companies that furnish services to the Fund. These companies are as follows:
The Dreyfus Corporation.....................Investment Adviser
Dreyfus Service Corporation.................Distributor
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.......................Transfer Agent
Mellon Bank, N.A............................Custodian
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.
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, Carlyle Industries, Inc.
(formerly, Belding Heminway Company, Inc.), a button packager and
distributor, Century Business Services, Inc. (formerly, International
Alliance Services, Inc.), a provider of various outsourcing functions for
small and medium sized companies and QuikCAT.com, Inc., a private company
engaged in the development of high speed movement, routing, storage and
encryption data across cable, wireless and all other modes of data
transport. 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 the
distributor. From August 1994 until December 31, 1994, he was a director
of Mellon Financial Corporation. He is 56 years old and his address is 200
Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
LUCY WILSON BENSON, Board Member. President of Benson and Associates,
consultants to business and government. Mrs. Benson is a director of
COMSAT Corporation and The International Executive Service Corp. She is
also a Trustee of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Vice Chairman of the
Board of Trustees of Lafayette College, Vice Chairman of the Citizens
Network for Foreign Affairs and of the Atlantic Council of the U.S. and a
member of the Council on Foreign Relations. From 1980 to 1994, Mrs. Benson
was a director of The Grumman Corporation, from 1990 to 1998, she was a
director of the General RE Corporation and from 1987 to 1999, she was a
director of Logistics Management Institute. Mrs. Benson served as a
consultant to the U.S. Department of State and to SRI International from
1980 to 1981. From 1977 to 1980, she was Under Secretary of State for
Security Assistance, Science and Technology. She is 72 years old and her
address is 46 Sunset Avenue, Amherst, Massachusetts 01002.
DAVID W. BURKE, Board Member. Board member of various funds in the Dreyfus
Family of Funds. Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, an
independent board within the United States Information Agency, from August
1994 to November 1998. From August 1994 to December 1994, Mr. Burke was a
Consultant to the Manager, and from October 1990 to August 1994, he was
Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the Manager. From 1977
to 1990, Mr. Burke was involved in the management of national television
news, as Vice-President and Executive Vice President of ABC News, and
subsequently as President of CBS News. He is 63 years old and his address
is Box 654, Eastham, Massachusetts 02642.
MARTIN D. FIFE, Board Member. Chairman of the Board of Magar Inc., a company
specializing in financial products and developing early stage companies. In
addition, Mr. Fife is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
Skysat Communications Network Corporation, a company developing
telecommunications systems. Mr. Fife also serves on the boards of various
private companies. He is 73 years old and his address is 25 Central Park
West, New York, New York 10023.
WHITNEY I. GERARD, Board Member. Partner of the New York City law firm of
Chadbourne & Parke LLP. He is 65 years old and his address is 30
Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112.
ARTHUR A. HARTMAN, Board Member. Senior consultant with APCO Associates Inc.
From 1981 to 1987, he was United States Ambassador to the former Soviet
Union. He is a director of the ITT Hartford Insurance Group, Ford Meter
Box Corporation and Lawter International and a member of the advisory
councils of several other companies, research institutes and foundations.
Ambassador Hartman is Chairman of First NIS Regional Fund (ING/Barings
Management) and New Russia Fund. He is a former President of the Harvard
Board of Overseers. He is 74 years old and his address is 2738 McKinley
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20015.
GEORGE L. PERRY, Board Member. An economist and Senior Fellow at the Brookings
Institution since 1969. He is co-director of the Brookings Panel on
Economic Activity and editor of its journal, The Brookings Papers. He is
also a director of the State Farm Mutual Automobile Association and State
Farm Life Insurance Company. He is 66 years old and his address is 1775
Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.
PAUL D. WOLFOWITZ, Board Member. Dean of The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced
International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. From 1989 to 1993, he
was Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. From 1986 to 1989, he was the
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia. From 1982 to 1986, he was
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the
Department of State. He is a director of Hasbro, Inc. He is 56 years old
and his address is 1740 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.
The Fund has a standing nominating committee comprised of its Board
members who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the 1940
Act. The function of the nominating committee is to select and nominate all
candidates who are not "interested persons" of the Fund for election to the
Fund's Board.
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. The aggregate amount of compensation paid
to each Board member by the Fund for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999,
and by all other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which such person is a
Board member (the number of which is set forth in parenthesis next to each Board
member's total compensation)* for the year ended December 31, 1999, were as
follows:
Total Compensation from
Aggregate Fund and Fund
Name of Board Member Compensation from Complex Paid to
Fund** Board Members
Joseph S. DiMartino $ 8,125 $642,177 (189)
Lucy Wilson Benson $ 6,500 $ 76,500 (29)
David W. Burke $ 6,500 $228,500 (62)
Martin D. Fife $ 6,500 $ 59,500 (14)
Whitney I. Gerard $ 6,500 $ 59,500 (14)
Arthur A. Hartman $ 6,500 $ 59,500 (14)
George L. Perry $ 6,000 $ 59,500 (14)
Paul D. Wolfowitz $ 6,500 $ 52,500 (13)
- ---------------------
* Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment
companies in the Fund Complex, including the Fund, for which the Board member
serves.
** Amount does not include reimbursed expenses for attending Board meetings,
which amounted to $2,064 for all Board members as a group.
Officers of the Fund
STEPHEN E. CANTER, President. President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief
Investment Officer and a director of the Manager, and an officer of other
investment companies advised and administered by the Manager. Mr. Canter
also is a Director or and Executive Committee Member of the other
investment management subsidiaries of Mellon Financial Corporation, each of
which is an affiliate of the Manager. He is 54 years old.
MARK N. JACOBS, Vice President. Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of
the Manager, and an officer of other investment companies advised and
administered by the Manager. He is 53 years old.
JOSEPH CONNOLLY, Vice President and Treasurer. Director - Mutual Fund Accounting
of the Manager, and an officer of other investment companies advised and
administered by the Manager. He is 42 years old.
MICHAEL A. ROSENBERG, Secretary. Associate General Counsel of the Manager, and
an officer of other investment companies advised and administered by the
Manager. He is 40 years old.
STEVEN F. NEWMAN, Assistant Secretary. Associate General Counsel and Assistant
Secretary of the Manager, and an officer of other investment companies
advised and administered by the Manager. He is 50 years old.
ROBERT R. MULLERY, Assistant Secretary. Assistant General Counsel of the
Manager, and an officer of other investment companies advised and
administered by the Manager. He is 48 years old.
WILLIAM MCDOWELL, Assistant Treasurer. Senior Accounting Manager - Taxable Fixed
Income of the Manager, and an officer of other investment companies
advised and administered by the Manager. He is 41 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 March 15, 2000.
The following persons are known by the Fund to own of record 5% or more of
the Fund's outstanding voting securities as of March 15, 2000: Charles Schwab &
Co., Inc., Reinvest Account, 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California
94104-4122 - 26.0886%.
MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Investment Adviser. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon
Bank, N.A., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Financial Corporation
("Mellon"). Mellon is a publicly owned multibank holding company incorporated
under Pennsylvania law in 1971 and registered under the Federal Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended. Mellon provides a comprehensive range of
financial products and services in domestic and selected international markets.
Mellon is among the twenty-five largest bank holding companies in the United
States based on total assets.
The Manager provides management services pursuant to a Management
Agreement (the "Agreement") between the Fund and the Manager. The Agreement 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 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 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:
Christopher M. Condron, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer;
Stephen E. Canter, President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Investment Officer
and a director; Thomas F. Eggers, Vice Chairman--Institutional and a director;
Lawrence S. Kash, Vice Chairman; Ronald P. O'Hanley III, Vice Chairman; J. David
Officer, Vice Chairman and a director; William T. Sandalls, Jr., Executive Vice
President; Stephen R. Byers, Senior Vice President; Mark N. Jacobs, Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary; Diane P. Durnin, Vice
President--Product Development; Patrice M. Kozlowski, Vice President--Corporate
Communications; Mary Beth Leibig, Vice President--Human Resources; Ray Van Cott,
Vice President--Information Systems; Theodore A. Schachar, Vice President--Tax;
Wendy Strutt, Vice President; Richard Terres, Vice President; William H.
Maresca, Controller; James Bitetto, Assistant Secretary; Steven F. Newman,
Assistant Secretary; and Mandell L. Berman, Burton C. Borgelt, Steven G. Elliot,
Martin C. McGuinn, Richard W. Sabo and Richard F. Syron, directors.
The Manager's Code of Ethics (the "Code") subjects its employees' personal
securities transactions to various restrictions to ensure that such trading does
not disadvantage any fund advised by the Manager. In that regard, portfolio
managers and other investment personnel of the Manager must preclear and report
their personal securities transactions and holdings, which are reviewed for
compliance with the Code, and are also subject to the oversight of Mellon's
Investment Ethics Committee. Portfolio managers and other investment personnel
who comply with the Code's preclearance and disclosure procedures and the
requirements of the Committee may be permitted to purchase, sell or hold
securities which also may be or are held in fund(s) they manage or for which
they otherwise provide investment advice.
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 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
Fund's portfolio managers are Michael Hoeh, John Koerber and Gerald E.
Thunelius, the Fund's primary portfolio 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 may pay the Distributor for shareholder
services from the Manager's own assets, including past profits but not including
the management fee paid by the Fund. The Distributor may use part or all of such
payments to pay securities dealers, banks or other financial institutions in
respect of these services. 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 or any of its
affiliates, Securities and Exchange Commission fees, state Blue Sky
qualification fees, advisory fees, charges of custodians, transfer and dividend
disbursing agents' fees, certain insurance premiums, industry association fees,
outside auditing and legal expenses, costs of independent pricing services,
costs of maintaining the Fund's existence, costs attributable to investor
services (including, without limitation, telephone and personnel expenses),
costs of shareholders' reports and meetings, costs of preparing and printing
prospectuses and statements of additional information for regulatory purposes
and for distribution to existing shareholders, and any extraordinary expenses.
As compensation for the Manager's services, the Fund has agreed to pay the
Manager a monthly management fee at the annual rate of 0.50% of the value of the
Fund's average daily net assets. All fees and expenses are accrued daily and
deducted before payment of dividends to investors. The management fees payable
for the fiscal years ended November 30, 1997, 1998 and 1999 amounted to
$2,627,588, $2,381,444 and $2,324,856, respectively; however, pursuant to an
undertaking in effect, the Manager reduced its fee by $58,909 in fiscal year
1997, resulting in a net fee paid of $2,568,679 in fiscal year 1997.
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
average value of the Fund's 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.
Distributor. The Distributor, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager,
located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, serves as the Fund's
distributor on a best efforts basis pursuant to an agreement which is renewable
annually.
The Distributor may pay dealers a fee based on the amount invested through
such dealers in Fund shares by employees participating in qualified or
non-qualified employee benefit plans or other programs where (i) the employers
or affiliated employers maintaining such plans or programs have a minimum of 250
employees eligible for participation in such plans or programs, or (ii) such
plan's or program's aggregate investment in the Dreyfus Family or Funds or
certain other products made available by the Distributor to such plan or
programs exceeds $1,000,000 ("Eligible Benefit Plans"). Generally, the fee paid
to dealers will not exceed 1% of the amount invested through such dealers. The
Distributor, however, may pay dealers a higher fee and reserves the right to
cease paying these fees at any time. The Distributor will pay such fees from its
own funds, other than amounts received from the Fund, including past profits or
any other source available to it.
Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent and Custodian. Dreyfus Transfer,
Inc. (the "Transfer Agent"), 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.
Mellon Bank, N.A. (the "Custodian"), One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15258, is the Fund's custodian. Under a custody agreement with the
Fund, the Custodian holds the Fund's securities and keeps all necessary accounts
and records. For its custody services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee
based on the market value of the Fund's assets held in custody and receives
certain securities transactions charges.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
General. 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, bank
or other financial institution. Stock certificates are issued only upon your
written request. No certificates are issued for fractional shares. The Fund
reserves the right to reject any purchase order.
The minimum initial investment is $2,500, or $1,000 if you are a client of
a securities dealer, bank or other financial institution which 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.
However, 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") and
rollover IRAs) and 403(b)(7) Plans with only one participant and $500 for
Dreyfus-sponsored Education IRAs, with no minimum for subsequent purchases. The
initial investment must be accompanied by the Account Application. For full-time
or part-time employees of the Manager or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries,
directors of the Manager, Board members of a fund advised by the Manager,
including members of the Fund's Board, or the spouse or minor child of any of
the foregoing, the minimum initial investment is $1,000. For full-time or
part-time employees of the Manager 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
offer Fund shares without regard to minimum purchase requirements to employees
participating in certain qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plans or
other programs where contributions or account information can be transmitted in
a manner and form acceptable to the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to vary
further the initial and subsequent investment minimum requirements at any time.
Fund shares also are offered without regard to the minimum initial
investment requirements through Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder(reg.tm), 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 you against loss in a declining market.
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 by an independent pricing service approved by the Fund's
Board and are valued at fair value as determined by the pricing service under
the general supervision of the Board. For further information regarding the
methods employed in valuing Fund investments, see "Determination of Net Asset
Value."
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. You may purchase shares 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 ("ACH") member may be so designated.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer purchase orders may be made at any time. Purchase
orders received by 4:00 p.m., New York time, on any day that the Transfer Agent
or 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 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 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 "How to Redeem Shares--Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege."
Procedures for Multiple Accounts. Special procedures have been designed
for banks and other institutions that wish to open multiple accounts. The
institutions may open a single master account by filing one application with the
Transfer Agent, and may reopen individual sub-accounts at the same time or at
some later date. The Transfer Agent will provide each institution with a written
confirmation for each transaction in a sub-account. Duplicate confirmations may
be transmitted to the beneficial owner of the sub-account at no additional
charge. Upon receipt of funds for investment by interbank wire, the Transfer
Agent will promptly confirm the receipt of the investment by telephone or return
wire to the transmitting bank, if the investor so requests.
The Transfer Agent also will provide each institution with a monthly
statement setting forth, for each sub-account, the share balance, income earned
for the month, income earned for the year to date and the total current value of
the account.
Reopening an Account. You 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.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan pursuant to which the
Fund reimburses the Distributor an amount not to exceed an annual rate of 0.25%
of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets for certain allocated
expenses of providing personal services and/or maintaining shareholder accounts.
The services provided may include personal services related to shareholder
accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the Fund and
providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance
of shareholder accounts.
A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Shareholder Services
Plan, and the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made
to the Fund's Board for its review. In addition, the Shareholder Services Plan
provides that material amendments of the Shareholder Services 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 and have no direct or indirect
financial interest in the operation of the Shareholder Services Plan by vote
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such
amendments. The Shareholder Services Plan is 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 Shareholder Services Plan. The Shareholder Services 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 Shareholder Services Plan.
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999, the Fund paid $402,898
pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
Check Redemption Privilege. The Fund provides Redemption Checks ("Checks")
automatically upon opening an account, unless you specifically refuse the Check
Redemption Privilege by checking the applicable "No" box on the Account
Application. The Check Redemption Privilege may be established for an existing
account by a separate signed Shareholder Services Form. Checks will be sent only
to the registered owner(s) of the account and only to the address of record. The
Account Application, or Shareholder Services Form must be manually signed by the
registered owner(s). Checks may be made payable to the order of any person in an
amount of $500 or more. When a Check is presented to the Transfer Agent for
payment, the Transfer Agent, as your agent, will cause the Fund to redeem a
sufficient number of full and fractional shares in your 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 you. You 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.
You should date your Checks with the current date when you write them.
Please do not postdate your Checks. If you do, the Transfer Agent will honor,
upon presentment, even if presented before the date of the Check, all postdated
Checks which are dated within six months of presentment for payment, if they are
otherwise in good order.
Checks are free, but the Transfer Agent will impose a fee for stopping
payment of a Check upon your request or if the Transfer Agent cannot honor a
Check due to insufficient funds or other valid reason. If the amount of the
Check is greater than 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.
This Privilege will be terminated immediately, without notice, with
respect to any account which is, or becomes, subject to backup withholding on
redemptions. Any Check written on an account which has become subject to backup
withholding on redemptions will not be honored by the Transfer Agent. If you
hold shares in a Dreyfus-sponsored IRA account, you may be permitted to make
withdrawals from your IRA account using checks furnished to you by The Dreyfus
Trust Company.
Wire Redemption Privilege. By using this Privilege, you authorize the
Transfer Agent to act on wire, telephone or letter redemption instructions from
any person representing himself or herself to be you, and reasonably believed by
the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Ordinarily, the Fund will initiate payment for
shares redeemed pursuant to this Privilege on the next business day after
receipt if the Transfer Agent receives the redemption request in proper form.
Redemption proceeds ($1,000 minimum) will be transferred by Federal Reserve wire
only to the commercial bank account specified by you on the Account Application
or Shareholder Services Form or to a correspondent bank if your 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
your bank is necessary to avoid a delay in crediting the funds to your bank
account.
If you have access to telegraphic equipment, you may wire redemption
requests to the Transfer Agent by employing the following transmittal code which
may be used for domestic or overseas transmissions:
Transfer Agent's
Transmittal Code Answer Back Sign
144295 144295 TSSG PREP
If you do not have direct access to telegraphic equipment, you may have
the wire transmitted by contacting a TRT Cables operator at 1-800-645-7171, toll
free. You 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. You may request by telephone that
redemption proceeds be transferred between your Fund account and your bank
account. Only a bank account maintained in a domestic financial institution
which is an ACH member may be designated. Holders of jointly registered Fund or
bank accounts may redeem through the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege for transfer
to their bank account not more than $500,000 within any 30-day period. You
should be aware that if you have selected the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege,
any request for a wire redemption will be effected as a Dreyfus TeleTransfer
transaction through the ACH system unless a more prompt transmittal specifically
is requested. Redemption proceeds will be on deposit in your account at an ACH
member bank ordinarily two business days after receipt of the redemption
request. See "How to Buy 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 owner 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 Program,
the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") and the Stock
Exchanges Medallion program. Guarantees must be signed by an authorized
signatory of the guarantor and "Signature-Guaranteed" must appear with the
signature. The Transfer Agent may request additional documentation from
corporations, executors, administrators, trustees or guardians, and may accept
other suitable verification arrangements from foreign investors, such as
consular verification. For more information with respect to
signature-guarantees, please call one of the telephone numbers listed on the
cover.
Redemption Commitment. The Fund has committed itself to pay in cash all
redemption requests by any shareholder of record, limited in amount during any
90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value of the Fund's net
assets at the beginning of such period. Such commitment is irrevocable without
the prior approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the case of
requests for redemption in excess of such amount, the Board reserves the right
to make payments in whole or in part in securities or other assets of the Fund
in case of an emergency or any time a cash distribution would impair the
liquidity of the Fund to the detriment of the existing shareholders. In such
event, the securities would be valued in the same manner as the Fund's portfolio
is valued. If the recipient sells such securities, brokerage charges might be
incurred.
Suspension of Redemption. 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
Fund Exchanges. You may purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund,
shares of certain other funds managed or administered by the Manager, to the
extent such shares are offered for sale in your state of residence. 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 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 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"), but 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, you must notify the Transfer
Agent of your prior ownership of fund shares and your account number.
To request an exchange, you 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 you check the
applicable "No" box on the Account Application, indicating you specifically
refuse this privilege. By using the Telephone Exchange Privilege, you authorize
the Transfer Agent to act on telephonic instructions (including over The Dreyfus
Touch(reg.tm.) automated telephone system) from any person representing himself
or herself to be you and believed reasonably 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 that have been
issued in certificate form are not eligible for telephone exchange. 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.
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.
Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege. Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege permits
you to purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund, shares of certain other
funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds of which you are a shareholder. This
Privilege is available only for existing accounts. Shares will be exchanged on
the basis of relative net asset value as described above under "Fund Exchanges."
Enrollment in or modification or cancellation of this Privilege is effective
three business days following notification by the investor. You will be notified
if your account falls below the amount designated to be exchanged under this
Privilege. In this case, your 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.
Shareholder Services Forms and prospectuses of the other funds may be
obtained by calling 1-800-645-6561. The Fund reserves the right to reject any
exchange request in whole or in part. Shares may be exchanged only between
accounts having identical names and other identifying designations. The Fund
Exchanges service or the Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege may be modified or
terminated at any time upon notice to shareholders.
Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder(reg.tm.). 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.
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 U.S. Government
automatically deposited into your fund account. You may deposit as much of such
payments as you elect.
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 ACH 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. It is the sole responsibility of your employer to
arrange for transactions under the Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan.
Dreyfus Step Program. Dreyfus Step Program enables you to purchase Fund
shares without regard to the Fund's minimum initial investment requirements
through Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder(reg.tm.), 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 allows you to invest
automatically on the payment date your dividends or dividends and capital gain
distributions, if any, from the Fund in shares of certain other funds in the
Dreyfus Family of Funds of which you are 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 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 that charges a sales load
may be invested in shares of other funds sold with a sales load
(referred to herein as "Offered Shares"), but 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.
Dreyfus Dividend ACH permits you to transfer electronically dividends or
dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, from the Fund to a designated
bank account. Only an account maintained at a domestic financial institution
which is an ACH member may be so designated. Banks may charge a fee for this
service.
Monthly or Quarterly Distribution Plans. The Monthly or Quarterly
Distribution Plans permit you to receive monthly or quarterly payments from the
Fund consisting of proceeds from the redemption of shares purchased for your
account through the automatic reinvestment of dividends declared on your account
during the preceding month or calendar quarter.
You may open a Monthly or Quarterly Distribution Plan by submitting a
request to the Transfer Agent. A Monthly or Quarterly Distribution Plan may be
ended at any time by you, the Fund or the Transfer Agent. Shares for which
certificates have been issued must be presented before redemption under the
Monthly or Quarterly Distribution Plans.
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. Withdrawal
payments are the proceeds from sales of Fund shares, not the yield on the
shares. If withdrawal payments exceed reinvested dividends and distributions,
your shares will be reduced and eventually may be depleted. Automatic Withdrawal
may be terminated 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.
Corporate Pension/Profit-Sharing and Personal Retirement Plans. The Fund
makes available to corporations a variety of prototype pension and profit
sharing plans including a 401(k) Salary Reduction Plan. In addition, the Fund
makes available Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a
non-working spouse, SEP-IRAs, Roth IRAs, Education IRAs and rollover IRAs) and
403(b)(7) Plans. Plan support services are also available.
If you wish to purchase Fund shares in conjunction with a Keogh Plan, a
403(b)(7) Plan or an IRA, including a SEP-IRA, you may request from the
Distributor forms for adoption of such plans.
The entity acting as custodian for Keogh Plans, 403(b)(7) Plans or IRAs
may charge a fee, payment of which could require the liquidation of shares. All
fees charged are described in the appropriate form.
Shares may be purchased in connection with these plans only by direct
remittance to the entity acting as custodian. Purchases for these plans may not
be made in advance of receipt of funds.
You should read the prototype retirement plan and the appropriate form of
custodial agreement for further details as to eligibility, service fees and tax
implications, and should consult a tax adviser.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
Valuation of Portfolio Securities. The Fund's investments are valued each
business day using available market quotations or at fair value as determined by
one or more independent pricing services (collectively, the "Service") approved
by the Board. The Service may use available market quotations, or employ
electronic data processing techniques and/or a matrix system to determine
valuations. The Service's procedures are reviewed by the Fund's officers under
the general supervision of the Board. Expenses and fees, including the
management fee (reduced by the expense limitation, if any), are accrued daily
and are taken into account for the purpose of determining the net asset value of
Fund shares.
New York Stock Exchange Closings. The holidays (as observed) on which the
New York Stock Exchange is closed currently are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther
King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Management believes that the Fund has qualified for the fiscal year ended
November 30, 1999 as a "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Fund intends to continue to so
qualify if such qualification is in the best interests of its shareholders. Such
qualification relieves the Fund of any liability for Federal income tax to the
extent its earnings are distributed in accordance with applicable provisions of
the Code. If the Fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company, it
would be treated for tax purposes as an ordinary corporation subject to Federal
income tax.
The Fund ordinarily declares dividends from its net investment income on
each day the Fund is open for business. Fund shares begin earning income
dividends on the day following the date of purchase. 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 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.
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.
Any dividend or distribution paid shortly after your purchase may have the
effect of reducing the aggregate net asset value of the shares below the cost of
your investment. Such a distribution would be a return on investment in an
economic sense although taxable as stated under "Distributions and Taxes" in the
Fund's Prospectus. In addition, the Code provides that if a shareholder holds
Fund shares for six months or less and has received a capital gain dividend with
respect to such shares, any loss incurred on the sale of such shares will be
treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain dividend
received.
Ordinarily, gains and losses realized from portfolio transactions will be
treated as capital gains or losses. However, all or a portion of any gains
realized from the sale or other disposition of certain market discount bonds
will be treated as ordinary income. In addition, all or a portion of the gain
realized from engaging in "conversion transactions" (generally including certain
transactions designed to convert ordinary income into capital gain) may be
treated as ordinary income.
If the Fund either (1) holds an appreciated financial position with
respect to stock, certain debt obligations, or partnership interests
("appreciated financial position") and then enters into a short sale, futures,
forward, or offsetting notional principal contract (collectively, a "Contract")
respecting the same or substantially identical property or (2) holds an
appreciated financial position that is a Contract and then acquires property
that is the same as, or substantially identical to, the underlying property, the
Fund generally will be taxed as if the appreciated financial position were sold
at its fair market value on the date the Fund enters into the financial position
or acquires the property, respectively.
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 is 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 and may be selected
based upon their sales of shares of the Fund or other funds advised by the
Manager or its affiliates.
Research services furnished by brokers through which the Fund effects
securities transactions may be used by the Manager in advising other funds it
advises and, conversely, research services furnished to the Manager by brokers
in connection with other funds the Manager advises may be used by the Manager in
advising the Fund. Although it is not possible to place a dollar value on these
services, it is the opinion of the Manager that the receipt and study of such
services should not reduce the overall expenses of its research department.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Fund's current yield for the 30-day period ended November 30, 1999 was
5.06%. 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.
The Fund's average annual total return for the 1, 5 and 10 year periods
ended November 30, 1999 was 2.33%, 6.24% and 6.80%, 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 aggregate total return for the period April 6, 1987
(commencement of operations) to November 30, 1999 was 130.73%. 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.
Comparative performance information may be used from time to time in
advertising or marketing the Fund's shares, including data from Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., Bank Rate Monitor(TM), Moody's Bond Survey Bond
Index, Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index, Salomon Brothers Corporate Bond
Rate-of-Return Index, Bond Buyer's 20-Bond Index and other industry
publications. From time to time, advertising materials for the Fund may refer to
or discuss then-current or past economic conditions, developments and/or events,
actual or proposed tax legislation, or to statistical or other information
concerning trends relating to investment companies, as compiled by industry
associations such as the Investment Company Institute. From time to time,
advertising materials for the Fund also may refer to Morningstar ratings and
related analyses supporting such ratings.
From time to time, advertising materials may refer to studies performed by
the Manager or its affiliates, such as "The Dreyfus Tax Informed Investing
Study" or "The Dreyfus Gender Investment Comparison Study (1996 & 1997)" or
other such studies.
From time to time, advertising material for the Fund may include
statistical data or general discussions about the growth and development of
Dreyfus Retirement Services (in terms of new customers, assets under management,
market share, etc.) and its presence in the defined contribution plan market and
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
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 is organized as an unincorporated business trust under the laws
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Under Massachusetts law, shareholders
could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the
obligations of the Fund. However, the Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust
("Trust Agreement") disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of
the Fund and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in the 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 a 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 a way so as to avoid, as far as possible, ultimate liability of the
shareholders for liabilities of the Fund.
Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act, ordinarily it will not be
necessary for the Fund to hold annual meetings of shareholders. As a result,
Fund shareholders may not consider each year the election of Board members or
the appointment of auditors. However, the holders of at least 10% of the shares
outstanding and entitled to vote may require the Fund to hold a special meeting
of shareholders for purposes of removing a Board member from office. Fund
shareholders may remove a Board member by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of
the Fund's outstanding voting shares. In addition, the Board will call a meeting
of shareholders for the purpose of electing Board members if, at any time, less
than a majority of the Board members then holding office have been elected by
shareholders.
The Fund is intended to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not
designed to provide investors with a means of speculating 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 following a market-timing strategy or is
otherwise engaging 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 of 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 or who makes exchanges
that appear to coincide with a 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 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.
To offset the relatively higher costs of servicing smaller accounts, the
Fund will charge regular accounts with balances below $2,000 an annual fee of
$12. The valuation of accounts and the deductions are expected to take place
during the last four months of each year. The fee will be waived for any
investor whose aggregate Dreyfus mutual fund investments total at least $25,000,
and will not apply to IRA accounts or to accounts participating in automatic
investment programs or opened through a securities dealer, bank or other
financial institution, or to other fiduciary accounts.
The Fund sends annual and semi-annual financial statements to all its
shareholders.
COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
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 independent auditors of the Fund.
YEAR 2000 ISSUES
The Fund could be adversely affected if the computer systems used by the
Manager and the Fund's other service providers do not properly process and
calculate date-related information from and after January 1, 2000. The Manager
has taken steps designed to avoid year 2000-related problems in its systems and
to monitor the readiness of other service providers. In addition, issuers of
securities in which the fund invests may be adversely affected by year
2000-related problems. This could have an impact on the value of the Fund's
investments and its share price.
DREYFUS SHORT-INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT FUND
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
-------------------------
Item 23. Exhibits
- -------------------
(a) Registrant's Declaration of Trust and Articles of Amendment are
incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1) of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 9 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January
27, 1995.
(b) Registrant's By-Laws.
(c) 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 February 20, 1987.
(d) 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 January 27, 1995.
(e) Form of Distribution Agreement.
(g) Amended and Restated Custody Agreement is incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 8(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January 27, 1995.
(h) Shareholder Services Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9
of Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A, filed on January 27, 1995.
(i) Opinion and consent of Registrant's counsel is incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (10) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 20, 1987.
(j) Consent of Independent Auditors.
(p) Code of Ethics.
Item 23. Exhibits. - List (continued)
- ------- -----------------------------
Other Exhibits
--------------
(a) Powers of Attorney.
(b) Certificate of Secretary.
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.
- ------- --------------------------------------------------------------
Not Applicable
Item 25. Indemnification
- ------- ---------------
Reference is made to Article EIGHTH of the Registrant's Agreement and
Declaration of Trust previously filed as Exhibit 1 to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 9 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A on January
27, 1995. The application of these provisions is limited by Article 10
of the Registrant's By-Laws previously filed as Exhibit 2 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the Registration Statement on Form
N-1A on January 27, 1995 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.
Reference is also made to the Distribution Agreement attached hereto.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
- ------- ----------------------------------------------------
The Dreyfus Corporation ("Dreyfus") and subsidiary companies
comprise a financial service organization whose business consists
primarily of providing investment management services as the
investment adviser and manager for sponsored investment companies
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and as an
investment adviser to institutional and individual accounts.
Dreyfus also serves as sub-investment adviser to and/or
administrator of other investment companies. Dreyfus Service
Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, serves
primarily as a registered broker-dealer and distributor of other
investment companies advised and administered by Dreyfus. Dreyfus
Investment Advisors, Inc., another wholly-owned subsidiary,
provides investment management services to various pension plans,
institutions and individuals.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ITEM 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (continued)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officers and Directors of Investment Adviser
Name and Position
With Dreyfus Other Businesses Position Held Dates
CHRISTOPHER M. CONDRON Franklin Portfolio Associates, Director 1/97 - Present
Chairman of the Board and LLC*
Chief Executive Officer
TBCAM Holdings, Inc.* Director 10/97 - Present
President 10/97 - 6/98
Chairman 10/97 - 6/98
The Boston Company Director 1/98 - Present
Asset Management, LLC* Chairman 1/98 - 6/98
President 1/98 - 6/98
The Boston Company President 9/95 - 1/98
Asset Management, Inc.* Chairman 4/95 - 1/98
Director 4/95 - 1/98
Franklin Portfolio Holdings, Inc.* Director 1/97 - Present
Certus Asset Advisors Corp.** Director 6/95 - Present
Mellon Capital Management Director 5/95 - Present
Corporation***
Mellon Bond Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/98 - Present
Member
Mellon Bond Associates+ Trustee 5/95 - 1/98
Mellon Equity Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/98 - Present
Member
Mellon Equity Associates+ Trustee 5/95 - 1/98
Boston Safe Advisors, Inc.* Director 5/95 - Present
President 5/95 - Present
Mellon Bank, N.A. + Director 1/99 - Present
Chief Operating Officer 3/98 - Present
President 3/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 11/94 - 3/98
Mellon Financial Corporation+ Chief Operating Officer 1/99 - Present
President 1/99 - Present
Director 1/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 11/94 - 1/99
Founders Asset Management, Chairman 12/97 - Present
LLC**** Director 12/97 - Present
The Boston Company, Inc.* Vice Chairman 1/94 - Present
Director 5/93 - Present
Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/98 - 8/98
Member
Laurel Capital Advisors+ Trustee 10/93 - 1/98
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Director 5/93 - Present
Company*
The Boston Company Financial President 6/89 - 1/97
Strategies, Inc. * Director 6/89 - 1/97
MANDELL L. BERMAN Self-Employed Real Estate Consultant, 11/74 - Present
Director 29100 Northwestern Highway Residential Builder and
Suite 370 Private Investor
Southfield, MI 48034
BURTON C. BORGELT DeVlieg Bullard, Inc. Director 1/93 - Present
Director 1 Gorham Island
Westport, CT 06880
Mellon Financial Corporation+ Director 6/91 - Present
Mellon Bank, N.A. + Director 6/91 - Present
Dentsply International, Inc. Director 2/81 - Present
570 West College Avenue
York, PA
Quill Corporation Director 3/93 - Present
Lincolnshire, IL
STEPHEN R. BYERS Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Senior Vice President 3/00 - Present
Director of Investments
Gruntal & Co., LLC Executive Vice President 5/97 - 11/99
New York, NY Partner 5/97 - 11/99
Executive Committee 5/97 - 11/99
Member
Board of Directors 5/97 - 11/99
Member
Treasurer 5/97 - 11/99
Chief Financial Officer 5/97 - 6/99
STEPHEN E. CANTER Dreyfus Investment Chairman of the Board 1/97 - Present
President, Chief Operating Advisors, Inc.++ Director 5/95 - Present
Officer, Chief Investment President 5/95 - Present
Officer, and Director
Newton Management Limited Director 2/99 - Present
London, England
Mellon Bond Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/99 - Present
Member
Mellon Equity Associates, LLP+ Executive Committee 1/99 - Present
Member
Franklin Portfolio Associates, Director 2/99 - Present
LLC*
Franklin Portfolio Holdings, Inc.* Director 2/99 - Present
The Boston Company Asset Director 2/99 - Present
Management, LLC*
TBCAM Holdings, Inc.* Director 2/99 - Present
Mellon Capital Management Director 1/99 - Present
Corporation***
Founders Asset Management, Member, Board of 12/97 - Present
LLC**** Managers
Acting Chief Executive 7/98 - 12/98
Officer
The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Director 6/95 - Present
Chairman 1/99 - Present
President 1/99 - Present
Chief Executive Officer 1/99 - Present
THOMAS F. EGGERS Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Chief Executive Officer 3/00 - Present
Vice Chairman - Institutional and Chairman of the
And Director Board
Executive Vice President 4/96 - 3/00
Director 9/96 - Present
Founders Asset Management, Member, Board of 2/99 - Present
LLC**** Managers
Dreyfus Investment Advisors, Inc. Director 1/00 - Present
Dreyfus Service Organization, Director 3/99 - Present
Inc.++
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Director 3/99 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc. +++
Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. Director 11/97 - 6/98
401 North Maple Avenue
Beverly Hills, CA.
STEVEN G. ELLIOTT Mellon Financial Corporation+ Senior Vice Chairman 1/99 - Present
Director Chief Financial Officer 1/90 - Present
Vice Chairman 6/92 - 1/99
Treasurer 1/90 - 5/98
Mellon Bank, N.A.+ Senior Vice Chairman 3/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 6/92 - 3/98
Chief Financial Officer 1/90 - Present
Mellon EFT Services Corporation Director 10/98 - Present
Mellon Bank Center, 8th Floor
1735 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Mellon Financial Services Director 1/96 - Present
Corporation #1 Vice President 1/96 - Present
Mellon Bank Center, 8th Floor
1735 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.* Vice President 5/93 - Present
APT Holdings Corporation Treasurer 12/87 - Present
Pike Creek Operations Center
4500 New Linden Hill Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
Allomon Corporation Director 12/87 - Present
Two Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15259
Collection Services Corporation Controller 10/90 - 2/99
500 Grant Street Director 9/88 - 2/99
Pittsburgh, PA 15258 Vice President 9/88 - 2/99
Treasurer 9/88 - 2/99
Mellon Financial Company+ Principal Exec. Officer 1/88 - Present
Chief Executive Officer 8/87 - Present
Director 8/87 - Present
President 8/87 - Present
Mellon Overseas Investments Director 4/88 - Present
Corporation+
Mellon Financial Services Treasurer 12/87 - Present
Corporation # 5+
Mellon Financial Markets, Inc.+ Director 1/99 - Present
Mellon Financial Services Director 1/99 - Present
Corporation #17
Fort Lee, NJ
Mellon Mortgage Company Director 1/99 - Present
Houston, TX
Mellon Ventures, Inc. + Director 1/99 - Present
LAWRENCE S. KASH Dreyfus Investment Director 4/97 - 12/99
Vice Chairman Advisors, Inc.++
Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. Chairman 11/97 - 2/99
401 North Maple Ave. Chief Executive Officer 11/97 - 2/98
Beverly Hills, CA
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Director 1/95 - 2/99
President 9/96 - 3/99
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc.+++ Director 3/96 - 12/98
President 10/96 - 12/98
Dreyfus Service Director 12/94 - 3/99
Organization, Inc.++ President 1/97 - 3/99
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc. ++ Director 1/97 - 4/99
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Chairman 5/97 - 3/99
Massachusetts, Inc.++++ President 5/97 - 3/99
Director 5/97 - 3/99
The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Chairman 1/97 - 1/99
President 2/97 - 1/99
Chief Executive Officer 2/97 - 1/99
Director 12/94 - Present
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Chairman 5/97 - 6/99
Corporation++ President 5/97 - 6/99
Director 12/94 - 6/99
Founders Asset Management, Member, Board of 12/97 - 12/99
LLC**** Managers
The Boston Company Advisors, Chairman 12/95 - 1/99
Inc. Chief Executive Officer 12/95 - 1/99
Wilmington, DE President 12/95 - 1/99
The Boston Company, Inc.* Director 5/93 - 1/99
President 5/93 - 1/99
Mellon Bank, N.A.+ Executive Vice President 6/92 - Present
Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+ Chairman 1/98 - 8/98
Executive Committee 1/98 - 8/98
Member
Chief Executive Officer 1/98 - 8/98
President 1/98 - 8/98
Laurel Capital Advisors, Inc. + Trustee 12/91 - 1/98
Chairman 9/93 - 1/98
President and CEO 12/91 - 1/98
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.* Director 5/93 - Present
President 5/93 - Present
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co.+ Director 6/93 - 1/99
Executive Vice President 6/93 - 4/98
MARTIN G. MCGUINN Mellon Financial Corporation+ Chairman 1/99 - Present
Director Chief Executive Officer 1/99 - Present
Director 1/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 1/90 - 1/99
Mellon Bank, N. A. + Chairman 3/98 - Present
Chief Executive Officer 3/98 - Present
Director 1/98 - Present
Vice Chairman 1/90 - 3/98
Mellon Leasing Corporation+ Vice Chairman 12/96 - Present
Mellon Bank (DE) National Director 4/89 - 12/98
Association
Wilmington, DE
Mellon Bank (MD) National Director 1/96 - 4/98
Association
Rockville, Maryland
J. DAVID OFFICER Dreyfus Service Corporation++ President 3/00 - Present
Vice Chairman Executive Vice President 5/98 - 3/00
And Director Director 3/99 - Present
Dreyfus Service Organization, Director 3/99 - Present
Inc.++
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Director 5/98 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc.++++
Dreyfus Brokerage Services, Inc. Chairman 3/99 - Present
401 North Maple Avenue
Beverly Hills, CA
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.++ Director 10/98 - Present
Mellon Residential Funding Corp. + Director 4/97 - Present
Mellon Trust of Florida, N.A. Director 8/97 - Present
2875 Northeast 191st Street
North Miami Beach, FL 33180
Mellon Bank, NA+ Executive Vice President 7/96 - Present
The Boston Company, Inc.* Vice Chairman 1/97 - Present
Director 7/96 - Present
Mellon Preferred Capital Director 11/96 - 1/99
Corporation*
RECO, Inc.* President 11/96 - Present
Director 11/96 - Present
The Boston Company Financial President 8/96 - 6/99
Services, Inc.* Director 8/96 - 6/99
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Director 7/96 - Present
Company* President 7/96 - 1/99
Mellon Trust of New York Director 6/96 - Present
1301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
Mellon Trust of California Director 6/96 - Present
400 South Hope Street
Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Mellon United National Bank Director 3/98 - Present
1399 SW 1st Ave., Suite 400
Miami, Florida
Boston Group Holdings, Inc.* Director 12/97 - Present
Dreyfus Financial Services Corp. + Director 9/96 - Present
Dreyfus Investment Services Director 4/96 - Present
Corporation+
RICHARD W. SABO Founders Asset Management President 12/98 - Present
Director LLC**** Chief Executive Officer 12/98 - Present
Prudential Securities Senior Vice President 07/91 - 11/98
New York, NY Regional Director 07/91 - 11/98
RICHARD F. SYRON Thermo Electron President 6/99 - Present
Director 81 Wyman Street Chief Executive Officer 6/99 - Present
Waltham, MA 02454-9046
American Stock Exchange Chairman 4/94 - 6/99
86 Trinity Place Chief Executive Officer 4/94 - 6/99
New York, NY 10006
RONALD P. O'HANLEY Franklin Portfolio Holdings, Inc.* Director 3/97 - Present
Vice Chairman
Franklin Portfolio Associates, Director 3/97 - Present
LLC*
Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Executive Committee 1/99 - Present
Company* Member
Director 1/99 - Present
The Boston Company, Inc.* Executive Committee 1/99 - Present
Member 1/99 - Present
Director
Buck Consultants, Inc.++ Director 7/97 - Present
Newton Asset Management LTD Executive Committee 10/98 - Present
(UK) Member
London, England Director 10/98 - Present
Mellon Asset Management Non-Resident Director 11/98 - Present
(Japan) Co., LTD
Tokyo, Japan
TBCAM Holdings, Inc.* Director 10/97 - Present
The Boston Company Asset Director 1/98 - Present
Management, LLC*
Boston Safe Advisors, Inc.* Chairman 6/97 - Present
Director 2/97 - Present
Pareto Partners Partner Representative 5/97 - Present
271 Regent Street
London, England W1R 8PP
Mellon Capital Management Director 2/97 -Present
Corporation***
Certus Asset Advisors Corp.** Director 2/97 - Present
Mellon Bond Associates; LLP+ Trustee 1/98 - Present
Chairman 1/98 - Present
Mellon Equity Associates; LLP+ Trustee 1/98 - Present
Chairman 1/98 - Present
Mellon-France Corporation+ Director 3/97 - Present
Laurel Capital Advisors+ Trustee 3/97 - Present
MARK N. JACOBS Dreyfus Investment Director 4/97 - Present
General Counsel, Advisors, Inc.++ Secretary 10/77 - 7/98
Vice President, and
Secretary The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Director 3/96 - Present
The TruePenny Corporation++ President 10/98 - Present
Director 3/96 - Present
Dreyfus Service Director 3/97 - 3/99
Organization, Inc.++
WILLIAM H. MARESCA The Dreyfus Trust Company+++ Chief Financial Officer 3/99 - Present
Controller Treasurer 9/98 - Present
Director 3/97 - Present
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Chief Financial Officer 12/98 - Present
Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corp. ++ Treasurer 10/98 - Present
Dreyfus Investment Treasurer 10/98 - Present
Advisors, Inc. ++
Dreyfus-Lincoln, Inc. Vice President 10/98 - Present
4500 New Linden Hill Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
The TruePenny Corporation++ Vice President 10/98 - Present
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc. +++ Treasurer 10/98 - 12/98
The Trotwood Corporation++ Vice President 10/98 - Present
Trotwood Hunters Corporation++ Vice President 10/98 - Present
Trotwood Hunters Site A Corp. ++ Vice President 10/98 - Present
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. Chief Financial Officer 5/98 - Present
One American Express Plaza,
Providence, RI 02903
Dreyfus Service Treasurer 3/99 - Present
Organization, Inc.++ Assistant Treasurer 3/93 - 3/99
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Assistant Treasurer 5/98 - Present
Massachusetts, Inc.++++
WILLIAM T. SANDALLS, JR. Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. Chairman 2/97 - Present
Executive Vice President One American Express Plaza,
Providence, RI 02903
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Director 1/96 - Present
Executive Vice President 2/97 - Present
Chief Financial Officer 2/97 - 12/98
Dreyfus Investment Director 1/96 - Present
Advisors, Inc.++ Treasurer 1/96 - 10/98
Dreyfus-Lincoln, Inc. Director 12/96 - Present
4500 New Linden Hill Road President 1/97 - Present
Wilmington, DE 19808
Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc.++ Director 1/96 - 10/98
Treasurer 10/96 - 10/98
The Dreyfus Consumer Director 1/96 - Present
Credit Corp.++ Vice President 1/96 - Present
Treasurer 1/97 - 10/98
The Dreyfus Trust Company +++ Director 1/96 - Present
Dreyfus Service Organization, Treasurer 10/96 - 3/99
Inc.++
Dreyfus Insurance Agency of Director 5/97 - 3/99
Massachusetts, Inc.++++ Treasurer 5/97 - 3/99
Executive Vice President 5/97 - 3/99
DIANE P. DURNIN Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Senior Vice President - 5/95 - 3/99
Vice President - Product Marketing and Advertising
Development Division
PATRICE M. KOZLOWSKI NONE
Vice President - Corporate
Communications
MARY BETH LEIBIG NONE
Vice President -
Human Resources
THEODORE A. SCHACHAR Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Vice President -Tax 10/96 - Present
Vice President - Tax
The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Chairman 6/99 - Present
Corporation ++ President 6/99 - Present
Dreyfus Investment Advisors, Vice President - Tax 10/96 - Present
Inc.++
Dreyfus Precious Metals, Inc. +++ Vice President - Tax 10/96 - 12/98
Dreyfus Service Organization, Vice President - Tax 10/96 - Present
Inc.++
WENDY STRUTT None
Vice President
RICHARD TERRES None
Vice President
RAYMOND J. VAN COTT Mellon Financial Corporation+ Vice President 7/98 - Present
Vice-President -
Information Systems
Computer Sciences Corporation Vice President 1/96 - 7/98
El Segundo, CA
JAMES BITETTO The TruePenny Corporation++ Secretary 9/98 - Present
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Dreyfus Service Corporation++ Assistant Secretary 8/98 - Present
Dreyfus Investment Assistant Secretary 7/98 - Present
Advisors, Inc.++
Dreyfus Service Assistant Secretary 7/98 - Present
Organization, Inc.++
STEVEN F. NEWMAN Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. Vice President 2/97 - Present
Assistant Secretary One American Express Plaza Director 2/97 - Present
Providence, RI 02903 Secretary 2/97 - Present
Dreyfus Service Secretary 7/98 - Present
Organization, Inc.++ Assistant Secretary 5/98 - 7/98
* The address of the business so indicated is One Boston Place, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108.
** The address of the business so indicated is One Bush Street, Suite 450, San Francisco, California 94104.
*** The address of the business so indicated is 595 Market Street, Suite 3000, San Francisco, California 94105.
**** The address of the business so indicated is 2930 East Third Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80206.
+ The address of the business so indicated is One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258.
++ The address of the business so indicated is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
+++ 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 53 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
</TABLE>
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
- -------- ----------------------
(a) Other investment companies for which Registrant's principal
underwriter (exclusive distributor) acts as principal underwriter or exclusive
distributor:
1) Dreyfus A Bonds Plus, Inc.
2) Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Inc.
3) Dreyfus Balanced Fund, Inc.
4) Dreyfus BASIC GNMA Fund
5) Dreyfus BASIC Money Market Fund, Inc.
6) Dreyfus BASIC Municipal Fund, Inc.
7) Dreyfus BASIC U.S. Government Money Market Fund
8) Dreyfus California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
9) Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
10) Dreyfus California Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
11) Dreyfus Cash Management
12) Dreyfus Cash Management Plus, Inc.
13) Dreyfus Connecticut Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
14) Dreyfus Connecticut Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc.
15) Dreyfus Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
16) Dreyfus Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
17) Dreyfus Founders Funds, Inc.
18) The Dreyfus Fund Incorporated
19) Dreyfus Global Bond Fund, Inc.
20) Dreyfus Global Growth Fund
21) Dreyfus GNMA Fund, Inc.
22) Dreyfus Government Cash Management Funds
23) Dreyfus Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
24) Dreyfus Growth and Value Funds, Inc.
25) Dreyfus Growth Opportunity Fund, Inc.
26) Dreyfus Debt and Equity Funds
27) Dreyfus Index Funds, Inc.
28) Dreyfus Institutional Money Market Fund
29) Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Money Market Fund
30) Dreyfus Institutional Short Term Treasury Fund
31) Dreyfus Insured Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
32) Dreyfus Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
33) Dreyfus International Funds, Inc.
34) Dreyfus Investment Grade Bond Funds, Inc.
35) Dreyfus Investment Portfolios
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 Municipal Cash Management
54) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc.
55) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Intermediate Bond Fund
56) Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Money Market Fund
57) Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Intermediate Term Fund
58) Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund
59) Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund
60) Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Short Term Fund
61) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
62) Dreyfus Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund
63) Dreyfus Premier California Municipal Bond Fund
64) Dreyfus Premier Equity Funds, Inc.
65) Dreyfus Premier International Funds, Inc.
66) Dreyfus Premier GNMA Fund
67) Dreyfus Premier Worldwide Growth Fund, Inc.
68) Dreyfus Premier Municipal Bond Fund
69) Dreyfus Premier New York Municipal Bond Fund
70) Dreyfus Premier State Municipal Bond Fund
71) Dreyfus Premier Value Equity Funds
72) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Government Fund
73) Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
74) The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc.
75) Dreyfus Stock Index Fund
76) Dreyfus Tax Exempt Cash Management
77) The Dreyfus Premier Third Century Fund, Inc.
78) Dreyfus Treasury Cash Management
79) Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management
80) Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund
81) Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc.
82) General California Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
83) General California Municipal Money Market Fund
84) General Government Securities Money Market Funds, Inc.
85) General Money Market Fund, Inc.
86) General Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
87) General Municipal Money Market Funds, Inc.
88) General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
89) General New York Municipal Money Market Fund
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
(b)
Positions and
Name and principal Offices with
Business address Positions and offices with the Distributor Registrant
- ---------------- ------------------------------------------ ----------
Thomas F. Eggers * Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board None
J. David Officer * President and Director None
Stephen Burke * Executive Vice President None
Charles Cardona * Executive Vice President None
Anthony DeVivio ** Executive Vice President None
David K. Mossman ** Executive Vice President None
Jeffrey N. Nachman *** Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer None
William T. Sandalls, Jr. * Executive Vice President and Director None
Wilson Santos ** Executive Vice President and Director of Client None
Services
William H. Maresca * Chief Financial Officer None
Ken Bradle ** Senior Vice President None
Stephen R. Byers * Senior Vice President None
Frank J. Coates * Senior Vice President None
Joseph Connolly * Senior Vice President Vice President
and Treasurer
William Glenn * Senior Vice President None
Michael Millard ** Senior Vice President None
Mary Jean Mulligan ** Senior Vice President None
Bradley Skapyak * Senior Vice President None
Jane Knight * Chief Legal Officer and Secretary None
Stephen Storen * Chief Compliance Officer None
Jeffrey Cannizzaro * Vice President - Compliance None
Maria Georgopoulos * Vice President - Facilities Management None
William Germenis Vice President - Compliance None
Walter T. Harris * Vice President None
Janice Hayles * Vice President None
Hal Marshall * Vice President - Compliance None
Paul Molloy * Vice President None
Theodore A. Schachar * Vice President - Tax None
James Windels * Vice President None
James Bitetto * Assistant Secretary None
* Principal business address is 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166.
** Principal business address is 144 Glenn Curtiss Blvd., Uniondale, NY 11556-0144.
*** Principal business address is 401 North Maple Avenue, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
</TABLE>
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
- ------- --------------------------------
1. Mellon Bank, N.A.
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258
2. Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.
P.O. Box 9671
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671
3. The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
Item 29. Management Services
- ------- -------------------
Not Applicable
Item 30. Undertakings
- ------- ------------
None
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 29th day of March, 2000.
Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Government Fund
BY: /s/ Stephen E. Canter*
--------------------------------
Stephen E. Canter, PRESIDENT
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures Title Date
- -------------------------- ------------------------------- ---------
/s/Stephen E. Canter * President 3/29/00
- ------------------------------
Stephen E. Canter
/s/Joseph Connolly * Treasurer (Principal 3/29/00
______________________________ Financial Officer)
Joseph Connolly
/s/Joseph S. DiMartino* Chairman of the Board 3/29/00
- ------------------------------
Joseph S. DiMartino
/s/Lucy Wilson Benson* Trustee 3/29/00
- ------------------------------
Lucy Wilson Benson
/s/David W. Burke* Trustee 3/29/00
- ------------------------------
David W. Burke
/s/Martin D. Fife* Trustee 3/29/00
- ------------------------------
Martin D. Fife
/s/Whitney I. Gerard* Trustee 3/29/00
- ------------------------------
Whitney I. Gerard
/s/Arthur A. Hartman* Trustee 3/29/00
- ------------------------------
Arthur A. Hartman
/s/George L. Perry* Trustee 3/29/00
- ------------------------------
George L. Perry
/s/Paul D. Wolfowitz* Trustee 3/29/00
- ------------------------------
Paul D. Wolfowitz
*BY: /s/ Robert R. Mullery
-----------------------
Robert R. Mullery
Attorney-in-Fact
DREYFUS SHORT INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT FUND
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
(11) Consent of Independent Auditors
Other Exhibits
(a) Power of Attorney
(b) Certificate of Secretary
(c) By-Laws
(d) Distribution Agreement
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Financial
Highlights" and "Counsel and Independent Auditors" and to the use of our
report dated January 4, 2000, which is incorporated by reference, in this
Registration Statement (Form N-1A 33-9634) of Dreyfus Short-Intermediate
Government Fund.
Ernst & Young signature logo
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
New York, New York
March 24, 2000
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned hereby constitute and appoint Mark N. Jacobs, Steven
Newman, Michael Rosenberg, Jeff Prusnofsky, Robert Mullery, Janette
Farragher, Mark Kornfeld and John Hammalian, 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 Dreyfus Short Intermediate Government Fund
(including post-effective amendments and amendments thereto), and to file
the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and 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 March 16, 2000
Joseph S. DiMartino
/s/ Lucy Wilson Benson March 16, 2000
Lucy Wilson Benson
/s/ David W. Burke March 16, 2000
David W. Burke
/s/ Martin D. Fife March 16, 2000
Martin D. Fife
/s/ Whitney I. Gerard March 16, 2000
Whitney I. Gerard
/s/ Ambassador Arthur A. Harmtan March 16, 2000
Ambassador Arthur A. Hartman
/s/ George L. Perry March 16, 2000
George L. Perry
/s/ Paul D. Wolfowitz March 16, 2000
Paul D. Wolfowitz
ASSISTANT SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE
I, Robert R. Mullery, Assistant Secretary of Dreyfus Short Intermediate
Government Fund ( the "Fund") hereby certify the following resolution was
adopted by written consent dated March 16, 2000 as to the Fund, and remains
in full force and effect:
RESOLVED, that the Registration Statement and any and
all amendments and supplements thereto may be signed by
any one of Mark N. Jacobs, Steven F. Newman, Michael A.
Rosenberg, John B. Hammalian, Jeff Prusnofsky, Robert R.
Mullery Janette E. Farragher and Mark Kornfeld as the
attorney-in-fact for the proper officers of the Fund,
with full power of substitution and re-substitution; and
that the appointment of each of such persons as such
attorney-in-fact is hereby 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 set my hand as Assistant Secretary
of the Funds and affixed the seal this 29th day of March, 2000.
/s/ Robert R. Mullery
Robert R. Mullery
Assistant Secretary
BY-LAWS
OF
DREYFUS SHORT-INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT FUND
ARTICLE 1
Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Principal Office
1.1. Agreement and Declaration of Trust. These By-Laws shall be
subject to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as from time to time in
effect (the "Declaration of Trust"), of the above-captioned Massachusetts
business trust established by the Declaration of Trust (the "Trust").
1.2. Principal Office of the Trust. The principal office of the
Trust shall be located in New York, New York. Its resident agent in
Massachusetts shall be CT Corporation System, 2 Oliver Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109, or such other person as the Trustees from time to time may
select.
ARTICLE 2
Meetings of Trustees
2.1. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held
without call or notice at such places and at such times as the Trustees from
time to time may determine, provided that notice of the first regular meeting
following any such determination shall be given to absent Trustees.
2.2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Trustees may be held
at any time and at any place designated in the call of the meeting when called
by the President or the Treasurer or by two or more Trustees, sufficient notice
thereof being given to each Trustee by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
or by the officer or the Trustees calling the meeting.
2.3. Notice of Special Meetings. It shall be sufficient notice to a
Trustee of a special meeting to send notice by mail at least forty-eight hours
or by telegram at least twenty-four hours before the meeting addressed to the
Trustee at his or her usual or last known business or residence address or to
give notice to him or her in person or by telephone at least twenty-four hours
before the meeting. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Trustee if a
written waiver of notice, executed by him or her before or after the meeting, is
filed with the records of the meeting, or to any Trustee who attends the meeting
without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement the lack of notice to
him or her. Neither notice of a meeting nor a waiver of a notice need specify
the purposes of the meeting.
2.4. Notice of Certain Actions by Consent. If in accordance with the
provisions of the Declaration of Trust any action is taken by the Trustees by a
written consent of less than all of the Trustees, then prompt notice of any such
action shall be furnished to each Trustee who did not execute such written
consent, provided that the effectiveness of such action shall not be impaired by
any delay or failure to furnish such notice.
ARTICLE 3
Officers
3.1. Enumeration; Qualification. The officers of the Trust shall be
a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and such other officers, if any, as the
Trustees from time to time may in their discretion elect. The Trust also may
have such agents as the Trustees from time to time may in their discretion
appoint. An officer may be but need not be a Trustee or shareholder. Any two or
more offices may be held by the same person.
3.2. Election. The President, the Treasurer and the Secretary
shall be elected by the Trustees upon the occurrence of any vacancy in any such
office. Other officers, if any, may be elected or appointed by the Trustees at
any time. Vacancies in any such other office may be filled at any time.
3.3. Tenure. The President, Treasurer and Secretary shall hold
office in each case until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes
disqualified. Each other officer shall hold office and each agent shall retain
authority at the pleasure of the Trustees.
3.4. Powers. Subject to the other provisions of these By-Laws, each
officer shall have, in addition to the duties and powers herein and in the
Declaration of Trust set forth, such duties and powers as commonly are incident
to the office occupied by him or her as if the Trust were organized as a
Massachusetts business corporation or such other duties and powers as the
Trustees may from time to time designate.
3.5. President. Unless the Trustees otherwise provide, the
President shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of the Trustees.
Unless the Trustees otherwise provide, the President shall be the chief
executive officer.
3.6. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial and
accounting officer of the Trust, and, subject to the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust and to any arrangement made by the Trustees with a
custodian, investment adviser or manager, or transfer, shareholder servicing or
similar agent, shall be in charge of the valuable papers, books of account and
accounting records of the Trust, and shall have such other duties and powers as
may be designated from time to time by the Trustees or by the President.
3.7. Secretary. The Secretary shall record all proceedings of the
shareholders and the Trustees in books to be kept therefor, which books or a
copy thereof shall be kept at the principal office of the Trust. In the absence
of the Secretary from any meeting of the shareholders or Trustees, an Assistant
Secretary, or if there be none or if he or she is absent, a temporary Secretary
chosen at such meeting shall record the proceedings thereof in the aforesaid
books.
3.8. Resignations and Removals. Any Trustee or officer may resign at
any time by written instrument signed by him or her and delivered to the
President or Secretary or to a meeting of the Trustees. Such resignation shall
be effective upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other time.
The Trustees may remove any officer elected by them with or without cause.
Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement with the Trust,
no Trustee or officer resigning and no officer removed shall have any right to
any compensation for any period following his or her resignation or removal, or
any right to damages on account of such removal.
ARTICLE 4
Committees
4.1. Appointment. The Trustees may appoint from their number an
executive committee and other committees. Except as the Trustees otherwise may
determine, any such committee may make rules for conduct of its business.
4.2. Quorum; Voting. A majority of the members of any Committee of
the Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and any
action of such a Committee may be taken at a meeting by a vote of a majority of
the members present (a quorum being present).
ARTICLE 5
Reports
The Trustees and officers shall render reports at the time and in
the manner required by the Declaration of Trust or any applicable law. Officers
and Committees shall render such additional reports as they may deem desirable
or as may from time to time be required by the Trustees.
ARTICLE 6
Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Trust shall be fixed, and shall be subject to
change, by the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE 7
Seal
The seal of the Trust shall consist of a flat-faced die with the
word "Massachusetts," together with the name of the Trust and the year of its
organization cut or engraved thereon but, unless otherwise required by the
Trustees, the seal shall not be necessary to be placed on, and in its absence
shall not impair the validity of, any document, instrument or other paper
executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Trust.
ARTICLE 8
Execution of Papers
Except as the Trustees generally or in particular cases may
authorize the execution thereof in some other manner, all deeds, leases,
contracts, notes and other obligations made by the Trustees shall be signed by
the President, any Vice President, or by the Treasurer and need not bear the
seal of the Trust.
ARTICLE 9
Issuance of Share Certificates
9.1. Sale of Shares. Except as otherwise determined by the Trustees,
the Trust will issue and sell for cash or securities from time to time, full and
fractional shares of its shares of beneficial interest, such shares to be issued
and sold at a price of not less than net asset value per share, as from time to
time determined in accordance with the Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws
and, in the case of fractional shares, at a proportionate reduction in such
price. In the case of shares sold for securities, such securities shall be
valued in accordance with the provisions for determining value of assets of the
Trust as stated in the Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws. The officers of
the Trust are severally authorized to take all such actions as may be necessary
or desirable to carry out this Section 9.1.
9.2. Share Certificates. In lieu of issuing certificates for shares,
the Trustees or the transfer agent either may issue receipts therefor or may
keep accounts upon the books of the Trust for the record holders of such shares,
who shall in either case, for all purposes hereunder, be deemed to be the
holders of certificates for such shares as if they had accepted such
certificates and shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the
terms hereof.
The Trustees at any time may authorize the issuance of share
certificates. In that event, each shareholder shall be entitled to a certificate
stating the number of shares owned by him or her, in such form as shall be
prescribed from time to time by the Trustees. Such certificate shall be signed
by the President or Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer.
Such signatures may be facsimile if the certificate is signed by a transfer
agent, or by a registrar, other than a Trustee, officer or employee of the
Trust. In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been
placed on such certificate shall cease to be such officer before such
certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Trust with the same effect as if
he or she were such officer at the time of its issue.
9.3. Loss of Certificates. The Trust, or if any transfer agent is
appointed for the Trust, the transfer agent with the approval of any two
officers of the Trust, is authorized to issue and countersign replacement
certificates for the shares of the Trust which have been lost, stolen or
destroyed subject to the deposit of a bond or other indemnity in such form and
with such security, if any, as the Trustees may require.
9.4. Discontinuance of Issuance of Certificates. The Trustees at any
time may discontinue the issuance of share certificates and by written notice to
each shareholder, may require the surrender of share certificates to the Trust
for cancellation. Such surrender and cancellation shall not affect the ownership
of shares in the Trust.
ARTICLE 10
Indemnification
10.1. Trustees, Officers, etc. The Trust shall indemnify each of its
Trustees and officers (including persons who serve at the Trust's request as
directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has
any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) (hereinafter referred to
as a "Covered Person") against all liabilities and expenses, including but not
limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines
and penalties, and counsel fees reasonably incurred by any Covered Person in
connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other
proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or
legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved
as a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been
threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been
such a Trustee or officer, except with respect to any matter as to which such
Covered Person shall have been finally adjudicated in a decision on the merits
in any such action, suit or other proceeding not to have acted in good faith in
the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best
interests of the Trust and except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified
against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered
Person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of
such Covered Person's office. Expenses, including counsel fees so incurred by
any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of
judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), may be paid from time to
time by the Trust in advance of the final disposition or any such action, suit
or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered
Person to repay amounts so paid to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that
indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article, provided
that (a) such Covered Person shall provide security for his or her undertaking,
(b) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of such Covered
Person's failure to fulfill his or her undertaking, or (c) a majority of the
Trustees who are disinterested persons and who are not Interested Persons (as
that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) (provided that a
majority of such Trustees then in office act on the matter), or independent
legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of
readily available facts (but not a full trial-type inquiry), that there is
reason to believe such Covered Person ultimately will be entitled to
indemnification.
10.2. Compromise Payment. As to any matter disposed of (whether by a
compromise payment, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise) without an
adjudication in a decision on the merits by a court, or by any other body before
which the proceeding was brought, that such Covered Person either (a) did not
act in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was
in the best interests of the Trust or (b) is liable to the Trust or its
Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered
Person's office, indemnification shall be provided if (a) approved as in the
best interest of the Trust, after notice that it involves such indemnification,
by at least a majority of the Trustees who are disinterested persons and are not
Interested Persons (provided that a majority of such Trustees then in office act
on the matter), upon a determination, based upon a review of readily available
facts (but not a full trial-type inquiry) that such Covered Person acted in good
faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best
interests of the Trust and is not liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office, or (b)
there has been obtained an opinion in writing of independent legal counsel,
based upon a review of readily available facts (but not a full trial-type
inquiry) to the effect that such Covered Person appears to have acted in good
faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best
interests of the Trust and that such indemnification would not protect such
Covered Person against any liability to the Trust to which such Covered Person
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
office. Any approval pursuant to this Section shall not prevent the recovery
from any Covered Person of any amount paid to such Covered Person in accordance
with this Section as indemnification if such Covered Person is subsequently
adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction not to have acted in good faith
in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in the best
interests of the Trust or to have been liable to the Trust or its shareholders
by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office.
10.3. Indemnification Not Exclusive. The right of indemnification
hereby provided shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which
any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article 10, the term
"Covered Person" shall include such person's heirs, executors and
administrators, and a "disinterested person" is a person against whom none of
the actions, suits or other proceedings in question or another action, suit, or
other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending.
Nothing contained in this Article shall affect any rights to indemnification to
which personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and officers, and other
persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law, nor the power of the
Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of such person.
10.4. Limitation. Notwithstanding any provisions in the
Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws pertaining to indemnification, all such
provisions are limited by the following undertaking set forth in the rules
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
In the event that a claim for indemnification is asserted by a
Trustee, officer or controlling person of the Trust in connection
with the registered securities of the Trust, the Trust will not make
such indemnification unless (i) the Trust has submitted, before a
court or other body, the question of whether the person to be
indemnified was liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties, and has obtained
a final decision on the merits that such person was not liable by
reason of such conduct or (ii) in the absence of such decision, the
Trust shall have obtained a reasonable determination, based upon a
review of the facts, that such person was not liable by virtue of
such conduct, by (a) the vote of a majority of Trustees who are
neither interested persons as such term is defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, nor parties to the proceeding or (b) an
independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
The Trust will not advance attorneys' fees or other expenses
incurred by the person to be indemnified unless (i) the Trust shall
have received an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay
the advance unless it is ultimately determined that such person is
entitled to indemnification and (ii) one of the following conditions
shall have occurred: (x) such person shall provide security for his
undertaking, (y) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising
by reason of any lawful advances or (z) a majority of the
disinterested, non-party Trustees of the Trust, or an independent
legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined that based
on a review of readily available facts there is reason to believe
that such person ultimately will be found entitled to
indemnification.
ARTICLE 11
Shareholders
11.1. Meetings. A meeting of the shareholders shall be called by the
Secretary whenever ordered by the Trustees, or requested in writing by the
holder or holders of at least 10% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at
such meeting. If the meeting is a meeting of the shareholders of one or more
series or class of shares, but not a meeting of all shareholders of the Trust,
then only the shareholders of such one or more series or classes shall be
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. If the Secretary, when so
ordered or requested, refuses or neglects for more than five days to call such
meeting, the Trustees, or the shareholders so requesting may, in the name of the
Secretary, call the meeting by giving notice thereof in the manner required when
notice is given by the Secretary.
11.2. Access to Shareholder List. Shareholders of record may apply
to the Trustees for assistance in communicating with other shareholders for the
purpose of calling a meeting in order to vote upon the question of removal of a
Trustee. When ten or more shareholders of record who have been such for at least
six months preceding the date of application and who hold in the aggregate
shares having a net asset value of at least $25,000 or at least 1% of the
outstanding shares, whichever is less, so apply, the Trustees shall within five
business days either:
(i) afford to such applicants access to a list of names and
addressesof all shareholders as recorded on the books of the Trust; or
(ii) inform such applicants of the approximate number of
shareholders of record and the approximate cost of mailing material to them and,
within a reasonable time thereafter, mail materials submitted by the applicants
to all such shareholders of record. The Trustees shall not be obligated to mail
materials which they believe to be misleading or in violation of applicable law.
11.3. Record Dates. For the purpose of determining the shareholders
of any series or class who are entitled to vote or act at any meeting or any
adjournment thereof, or who are entitled to receive payment of any dividend or
of any other distribution, the Trustees from time to time may fix a time, which
shall be not more than 90 days before the date of any meeting of shareholders or
the date of payment of any dividend or of any other distribution, as the record
date for determining the shareholders of such series or class having the right
to notice of and to vote at such meeting and any adjournment thereof or the
right to receive such dividend or distribution, and in such case only
shareholders of record on such record date shall have such right notwithstanding
any transfer of shares on the books of the Trust after the record date; or
without fixing such record date the Trustees may for any such purposes close the
register or transfer books for all or part of such period.
11.4. Place of Meetings. All meetings of the shareholders shall be
held at the principal office of the Trust or at such other place within the
United States as shall be designated by the Trustees or the President of the
Trust.
11.5. Notice of Meetings. A written notice of each meeting of
shareholders, stating the place, date and hour and the purposes of the meeting,
shall be given at least ten days before the meeting to each shareholder entitled
to vote thereat by leaving such notice with him or at his residence or usual
place of business or by mailing it, postage prepaid, and addressed to such
shareholder at his address as it appears in the records of the Trust. Such
notice shall be given by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or by an
officer designated by the Trustees. No notice of any meeting of shareholders
need be given to a shareholder if a written waiver of notice, executed before or
after the meeting by such shareholder or his attorney thereunto duly authorized,
is filed with the records of the meeting.
11.6. Ballots. No ballot shall be required for any election unless
requested by a shareholder present or represented at the meeting and entitled to
vote in the election.
11.7. Proxies. Shareholders entitled to vote may vote either in
person or by proxy in writing dated not more than six months before the meeting
named therein, which proxies shall be filed with the Secretary or other person
responsible to record the proceedings of the meeting before being voted. Unless
otherwise specifically limited by their terms, such proxies shall entitle the
holders thereof to vote at any adjournment of such meeting but shall not be
valid after the final adjournment of such meeting. The placing of a
shareholder's name on a proxy pursuant to telephonic or electronically
transmitted instructions obtained pursuant to procedures reasonably designed to
verify that such instructions have been authorized by such shareholder shall
constitute execution of such proxy by or on behalf of such shareholder.
ARTICLE 12
Amendments to the By-Laws
These By-Laws may be amended or repealed, in whole or in part, by a
majority of the Trustees then in office at any meeting of the Trustees, or by
one or more writings signed by such a majority.
Dated: December 4, 1986
Amended: December 31, 1999
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
DREYFUS SHORT INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT FUND
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
March 22, 2000
Dreyfus Service Corporation
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
Dear Sirs:
This is to confirm that, in consideration of the agreements hereinafter
contained, the above-named investment company (the "Fund") has agreed that
you shall be, for the period of this agreement, the distributor of shares of
the Fund. For purposes of this agreement the term "Shares" shall mean the
authorized shares of the relevant Series, if any, and otherwise shall mean
the Fund's authorized shares.
1. Services as Distributor
1.1 You will act as agent for the distribution of Shares covered by, and in
accordance with, the registration statement and prospectus then in effect
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and will transmit promptly any
orders received by you for purchase or redemption of Shares to the Transfer
and Dividend Disbursing Agent for the Fund of which the Fund has notified
you in writing.
1.2 You agree to use your best efforts to solicit orders for the sale of
Shares. It is contemplated that you will enter into sales or servicing
agreements with securities dealers, financial institutions and other
industry professionals, such as investment advisers, accountants and estate
planning firms, and in so doing you will act only on your own behalf as
principal.
1.3 You shall act as distributor of Shares in compliance with all
applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, all
rules and regulations made or adopted pursuant to the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended, by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
securities association registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
1.4 Whenever in their judgment such action is warranted by market, economic
or political conditions, or by abnormal circumstances of any kind, the
Fund's officers may decline to accept any orders for, or make any sales of,
any Shares until such time as they deem it advisable to accept such orders
and to make such sales and the Fund shall advise you promptly of such
determination.
1.5 The Fund agrees to pay all costs and expenses in connection with the
registration of Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all
expenses in connection with maintaining facilities for the issue and
transfer of Shares and for supplying information, prices and other data to
be furnished by the Fund hereunder, and all expenses in connection with the
preparation and printing of the Fund's prospectuses and statements of
additional information for regulatory purposes and for distribution to
shareholders; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be
deemed to require the Fund to pay any of the costs of advertising the sale
of Shares.
1.6 The Fund agrees to execute any and all documents and to furnish any and
all information and otherwise to take all actions which may be reasonably
necessary in the discretion of the Fund's officers in connection with the
qualification of Shares for sale in such states as you may designate to the
Fund and the Fund may approve, and the Fund agrees to pay all expenses which
may be incurred in connection with such qualification. You shall pay all
expenses connected with your own qualification as a dealer under state or
Federal laws and, except as otherwise specifically provided in this
agreement, all other expenses incurred by you in connection with the sale of
Shares as contemplated in this agreement.
1.7 The Fund shall furnish you from time to time, for use in connection
with the sale of Shares, such information with respect to the Fund or any
relevant Series and the Shares as you may reasonably request, all of which
shall be signed by one or more of the Fund's duly authorized officers; and
the Fund warrants that the statements contained in any such information,
when so signed by the Fund's officers, shall be true and correct. The Fund
also shall furnish you upon request with: (a) semi-annual reports and
annual audited reports of the Fund's books and accounts made by independent
public accountants regularly retained by the Fund, (b) quarterly earnings
statements prepared by the Fund, (c) a monthly itemized list of the
securities in the Fund's or, if applicable, each Series' portfolio,
(d) monthly balance sheets as soon as practicable after the end of each
month, and (e) from time to time such additional information regarding the
Fund's financial condition as you may reasonably request.
1.8 The Fund represents to you that all registration statements and
prospectuses filed by the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, with respect to the Shares have been
carefully prepared in conformity with the requirements of said Acts and
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
As used in this agreement the terms "registration statement" and
"prospectus" shall mean any registration statement and prospectus, including
the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any amendments and
supplements thereto which at any time shall have been filed with said
Commission. The Fund represents and warrants to you that any registration
statement and prospectus, when such registration statement becomes
effective, will contain all statements required to be stated therein in
conformity with said Acts and the rules and regulations of said Commission;
that all statements of fact contained in any such registration statement and
prospectus will be true and correct when such registration statement becomes
effective; and that neither any registration statement nor any prospectus
when such registration statement becomes effective will include an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
The Fund may but shall not be obligated to propose from time to time such
amendment or amendments to any registration statement and such supplement or
supplements to any prospectus as, in the light of future developments, may,
in the opinion of the Fund's counsel, be necessary or advisable. If the
Fund shall not propose such amendment or amendments and/or supplement or
supplements within fifteen days after receipt by the Fund of a written
request from you to do so, you may, at your option, terminate this agreement
or decline to make offers of the Fund's securities until such amendments are
made. The Fund shall not file any amendment to any registration statement
or supplement to any prospectus without giving you reasonable notice thereof
in advance; provided, however, that nothing contained in this agreement
shall in any way limit the Fund's right to file at any time such amendments
to any registration statement and/or supplements to any prospectus, of
whatever character, as the Fund may deem advisable, such right being in all
respects absolute and unconditional.
1.9 The Fund authorizes you to use any prospectus in the form furnished to
you from time to time, in connection with the sale of Shares. The Fund
agrees to indemnify, defend and hold you, your several officers and
directors, and any person who controls you within the meaning of Section 15
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless from and
against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the
cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and
any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which you, your officers
and directors, or any such controlling person, may incur under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under common law or otherwise,
arising out of or based upon any untrue statement, or alleged untrue
statement, of a material fact contained in any registration statement or any
prospectus or arising out of or based upon any omission, or alleged
omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in either any
registration statement or any prospectus or necessary to make the statements
in either thereof not misleading; provided, however, that the Fund's
agreement to indemnify you, your officers or directors, and any such
controlling person shall not be deemed to cover any claims, demands,
liabilities or expenses arising out of any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any registration
statement or prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Fund by you specifically for use in the
preparation thereof. The Fund's agreement to indemnify you, your officers
and directors, and any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly
conditioned upon the Fund's being notified of any action brought against
you, your officers or directors, or any such controlling person, such
notification to be given by letter or by telegram addressed to the Fund at
its address set forth above within ten days after the summons or other first
legal process shall have been served. The failure so to notify the Fund of
any such action shall not relieve the Fund from any liability which the Fund
may have to the person against whom such action is brought by reason of any
such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or omission, or alleged omission,
otherwise than on account of the Fund's indemnity agreement contained in
this paragraph 1.9. The Fund will be entitled to assume the defense of any
suit brought to enforce any such claim, demand or liability, but, in such
case, such defense shall be conducted by counsel of good standing chosen by
the Fund and approved by you. In the event the Fund elects to assume the
defense of any such suit and retain counsel of good standing approved by
you, the defendant or defendants in such suit shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by any of them; but in case the
Fund does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, or in case you
do not approve of counsel chosen by the Fund, the Fund will reimburse you,
your officers and directors, or the controlling person or persons named as
defendant or defendants in such suit, for the fees and expenses of any
counsel retained by you or them. The Fund's indemnification agreement
contained in this paragraph 1.9 and the Fund's representations and
warranties in this agreement shall remain operative and in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of you, your
officers and directors, or any controlling person, and shall survive the
delivery of any Shares. This agreement of indemnity will inure exclusively
to your benefit, to the benefit of your several officers and directors, and
their respective estates, and to the benefit of any controlling persons and
their successors. The Fund agrees promptly to notify you of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Fund or any of its
officers or Board members in connection with the issue and sale of Shares.
1.10 You agree to indemnify, defend and hold the Fund, its several officers
and Board members, and any person who controls the Fund within the meaning
of Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, free and harmless
from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses
(including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or
liabilities and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the
Fund, its officers or Board members, or any such controlling person, may
incur under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under common law or
otherwise, but only to the extent that such liability or expense incurred by
the Fund, its officers or Board members, or such controlling person
resulting from such claims or demands, shall arise out of or be based upon
any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in
information furnished in writing by you to the Fund specifically for use in
the Fund's registration statement and used in the answers to any of the
items of the registration statement or in the corresponding statements made
in the prospectus, or shall arise out of or be based upon any omission, or
alleged omission, to state a material fact in connection with such
information furnished in writing by you to the Fund and required to be
stated in such answers or necessary to make such information not misleading.
Your agreement to indemnify the Fund, its officers and Board members, and
any such controlling person, as aforesaid, is expressly conditioned upon
your being notified of any action brought against the Fund, its officers or
Board members, or any such controlling person, such notification to be given
by letter or telegram addressed to you at your address set forth above
within ten days after the summons or other first legal process shall have
been served. You shall have the right to control the defense of such
action, with counsel of your own choosing, satisfactory to the Fund, if such
action is based solely upon such alleged misstatement or omission on your
part, and in any other event the Fund, its officers or Board members, or
such controlling person shall each have the right to participate in the
defense or preparation of the defense of any such action. The failure so to
notify you of any such action shall not relieve you from any liability which
you may have to the Fund, its officers or Board members, or to such
controlling person by reason of any such untrue, or alleged untrue,
statement or omission, or alleged omission, otherwise than on account of
your indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph 1.10. This agreement
of indemnity will inure exclusively to the Fund's benefit, to the benefit of
the Fund's officers and Board members, and their respective estates, and to
the benefit of any controlling persons and their successors.
You agree promptly to notify the Fund of the commencement of any litigation
or proceedings against you or any of your officers or directors in
connection with the issue and sale of Shares.
1.11 No Shares shall be offered by either you or the Fund under any of the
provisions of this agreement and no orders for the purchase or sale of such
Shares hereunder shall be accepted by the Fund if and so long as the
effectiveness of the registration statement then in effect or any necessary
amendments thereto shall be suspended under any of the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or if and so long as a current
prospectus as required by Section 10 of said Act, as amended, is not on file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission; provided, however, that nothing
contained in this paragraph 1.11 shall in any way restrict or have an
application to or bearing upon the Fund's obligation to repurchase any
Shares from any shareholder in accordance with the provisions of the Fund's
prospectus or charter documents.
1.12 The Fund agrees to advise you immediately in writing:
(a) of any request by the Securities and Exchange
Commission for amendments to the registration statement or
prospectus then in effect or for additional information;
(b) in the event of the issuance by the Securities and
Exchange Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness
of the registration statement or prospectus then in effect or the
initiation of any proceeding for that purpose;
(c) of the happening of any event which makes untrue
any statement of a material fact made in the registration
statement or prospectus then in effect or which requires the
making of a change in such registration statement or prospectus in
order to make the statements therein not misleading; and
(d) of all actions of the Securities and Exchange
Commission with respect to any amendments to any registration
statement or prospectus which may from time to time be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
2. Offering Price
Shares of any class of the Fund offered for sale by you shall be offered for
sale at a price per share (the "offering price") approximately equal to (a)
their net asset value (determined in the manner set forth in the Fund's
charter documents) plus (b) a sales charge, if any and except to those
persons set forth in the then-current prospectus, which shall be the
percentage of the offering price of such Shares as set forth in the Fund's
then-current prospectus. The offering price, if not an exact multiple of
one cent, shall be adjusted to the nearest cent. In addition, Shares of any
class of the Fund offered for sale by you may be subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge as set forth in the Fund's then-current prospectus.
You shall be entitled to receive any sales charge or contingent deferred
sales charge in respect of the Shares. Any payments to dealers shall be
governed by a separate agreement between you and such dealer and the Fund's
then-current prospectus.
3. Term
This agreement shall continue until the date (the "Reapproval Date") set
forth on Exhibit A hereto (and, if the Fund has Series, a separate
Reapproval Date shall be specified on Exhibit A for each Series), and
thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods ending
on the day (the "Reapproval Day") of each year set forth on Exhibit A
hereto, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually
by (i) the Fund's Board or (ii) vote of a majority (as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940) of the Shares of the Fund or the relevant
Series, as the case may be, provided that in either event its continuance
also is approved by a majority of the Board members who are not "interested
persons" (as defined in said Act) of any party to this agreement, by vote
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval. This agreement is terminable without penalty, on 60 days' notice,
(a) by vote of holders of a majority of the Fund's or, as to any relevant
Series, such Series' outstanding voting securities, or (b) by the Fund's
Board as to the Fund or the relevant Series, as the case may be, or (c) by
you. This agreement also will terminate automatically, as to the Fund or
relevant Series, as the case may be, in the event of its assignment (as
defined in said Act).
4. Miscellaneous
[4.1] The Fund recognizes that from time to time your directors, officers,
and employees may serve as trustees, directors, partners, officers, and
employees of other business trusts, corporations, partnerships, or other
entities (including other investment companies) and that such other entities
may include the name "Dreyfus" as part of their name, and that your
corporation or its affiliates may enter into distribution or other
agreements with such other entities. If you cease to act as the distributor
of the Fund's shares or if The Dreyfus Corporation or any of its affiliates
ceases to act as the Fund's investment adviser, the Fund agrees that, at the
request of The Dreyfus Corporation, the Fund will take all necessary action
to change the name of the Fund to a name not including "Dreyfus" in any form
or combination of words.
Please confirm that the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding
and indicate your any acceptance hereof by signing below, whereupon it shall
become a binding agreement between us.
Very truly yours,
DREYFUS SHORT INTERMEDIATE
GOVERNMENT FUND
By: _______________________
Accepted:
DREYFUS SERVICE CORPORATION
By:_______________________________
EXHIBIT A
Reapproval Date Reapproval Day
December 4, December 4th
2000
