N-CSR 1 lp1-054.htm ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-02653
   
  BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Funds, Inc.  
  (Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)  
     
 

 

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

 
  (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip code)  
     
 

Deirdre Cunnane, Esq.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

 
  (Name and address of agent for service)  
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (212) 922-6400
   

Date of fiscal year end:

 

08/31  
Date of reporting period:

08/31/2021

 

 

 

 
             

 

 
 

FORM N-CSR

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

 

BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund

 

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2021

 

 

 

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The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio manager(s) only through the end of the period covered and do not necessarily represent the views of BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. or any other person in the BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a fund in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any fund in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds.

 

Not FDIC-Insured • Not Bank-Guaranteed • May Lose Value

 

Contents

THE FUND

  

Discussion of Fund Performance

2

Fund Performance

5

Understanding Your Fund’s Expenses

6

Comparing Your Fund’s Expenses
With Those of Other Funds

6

Statement of Investments

7

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

27

Statement of Operations

28

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

29

Financial Highlights

30

Notes to Financial Statements

31

Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

40

Important Tax Information

41

Information About the Approval of the
Fund’s Management Agreement and
Approval of Sub-Investment
Advisory Agreement

42

Liquidity Risk Management Program

45

Board Members Information

46

Officers of the Fund

49

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)

For the period from September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021, as provided by Daniel Marques and Daniel Rabasco, Primary Portfolio Managers

Market and Fund Performance Overview

For the 12-month period ended August 31, 2021, BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund achieved a total return of 4.57%.1 In comparison, the fund’s benchmark, the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”), produced a total return of 3.40%.2

Municipal bonds generally produced positive total returns over the reporting period due to favorable supply-demand dynamics, solid fundamentals and support by Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) policy. The fund outperformed the Index, primarily due to favorable security selection.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax, to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital.

To pursue this goal, the fund normally invests substantially all of its net assets in municipal bonds that provide income exempt from federal income tax. The fund invests at least 75% of its assets in municipal bonds rated A or higher or the unrated equivalent as determined by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. The fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in municipal bonds rated below A or the unrated equivalent as determined by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc., including bonds rated below-investment-grade quality (“high yield” or “junk” bonds). The dollar-weighted average maturity of the fund’s portfolio is not restricted, but normally exceeds 10 years.

We focus on identifying undervalued sectors and securities and minimize the use of interest-rate forecasting. The portfolio managers select municipal bonds for the fund’s portfolio by:

· Using fundamental credit analysis to estimate the relative value and attractiveness of various sectors and securities, and to exploit pricing inefficiencies in the municipal bond market.

· Actively trading among various sectors, such as pre-refunded, general obligation and revenue, based on their apparent relative values. The fund seeks to invest in several of these sectors.

Strong Inflows Support Market

During the reporting period, the market continued to benefit from policies put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including support from the Fed. This and a number of other factors produced strong inflows to the market during

2

 

the period. For example, the market responded favorably to the election of President Biden and to the administration’s fiscal policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A Democrat-controlled Congress also made federal support for state and local governments more likely. This took the form of a several relief packages, which included $350 billion in support for state and local governments.

The fiscal health of issuers has been resilient throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as tax collections have generally exceeded budgeted projections. Federal stimulus payments, vaccination efforts and strong market returns have all contributed to the strong revenue performance. Furthermore, white-collar workers, who contribute the largest share of tax payments, were largely unaffected by the pandemic due to work-from-home arrangements.

The election also increased the likelihood of income tax hikes for higher-income households, adding to the appeal of tax-exempt municipal securities. The prospect of an increase in the corporate tax rate made municipal bonds more appealing to institutional buyers, and low interest rates overseas attracted foreign investors to the market.

Favorable Security Selection Added to Performance

The fund outperformed the Index during the reporting period, due primarily to security selection in revenue bond sectors, including airports, special tax, water & sewer, and public power. A position in New Jersey appropriation bonds also added to returns, as did certain selections in the general obligation sector. Asset allocation decisions were also beneficial, with the overweight to airports, hospitals and tobacco all adding to performance. The fund’s relatively long duration versus the Index also was beneficial.

On a less positive note, certain security selections hindered performance, including Pennsylvania Turnpike bonds, Puerto Rico bonds and a lack of exposure to state of Illinois bonds, which performed well. In addition, the fund’s overweight position in prepaid gas bonds and in public power bonds detracted from performance. The fund did not employ derivatives during the period.

Credit Fundamentals, Supply and Demand Should Support the Market

We remain constructive on the municipal bond market as a whole. With the economy recovering and prospective federal support related to infrastructure, credit fundamentals remain solid. In addition, demand is likely to remain strong, in part due to an expected increase in personal, corporate and capital gains tax rates. Supply is also likely to remain manageable. While valuations are relatively expensive, strong fundamentals and beneficial supply-and-demand factors should provide support in the near term. Higher interest rate volatility is expected, given inflation pressures

3

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited) (continued)

and possible actions by the Fed. Nevertheless, we anticipate that the municipal bond market will generally perform well.

We will continue to focus on security selection, adding yield where we find opportunities. In addition, we will keep the fund’s duration positioning neutral versus the benchmark in the coming months.

September 15, 2021

1  Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Share price, yield and investment return fluctuate such that upon redemption, fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Income may be subject to state and local taxes, and some income may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) for certain investors. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable.

2  Source: Lipper Inc. — The Bloomberg U.S. Municipal Bond Index covers the USD-denominated, long-term, tax-exempt bond market. Investors cannot invest directly in any index.

Bonds are subject generally to interest-rate, credit, liquidity and market risks, to varying degrees, all of which are more fully described in the fund’s prospectus. Generally, all other factors being equal, bond prices are inversely related to interest-rate changes, and rate increases can cause price declines. High yield bond funds involve increased credit and liquidity risk compared with higher-quality bond funds. Below-investment-grade bonds are considered speculative as to the continuing ability of an issuer to make interest payments and repay principal.

Auction-rate securities include preferred shares of closed-end funds, long-term debt issued by municipalities and many other taxable and tax-exempt issuers. The dividend rates on these securities generally reset through bank-managed auctions periodically, including periods ranging from 7 days to 35 days.

Recent market risks include pandemic risks related to COVID-19. The effects of COVID-19 have contributed to increased volatility in global markets and will likely affect certain countries, companies, industries and market sectors more dramatically than others. To the extent the fund may overweight its investments in certain countries, companies, industries or market sectors, such positions will increase the fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those countries, companies, industries or sectors.

4

 

FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund with a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”).

 Source: Lipper Inc.

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.

The above graph compares a hypothetical $10,000 investment made in BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund on 8/31/11 to a hypothetical investment of $10,000 made in the Index on that date. All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

The fund invests primarily in municipal securities and its performance shown in the line graph takes into account fees and expenses. The Index covers the U.S. dollar-denominated long-term tax-exempt bond market. Unlike a mutual fund, the Index is not subject to charges, fees and other expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. Further information relating to fund performance, including expense reimbursements, if applicable, is contained in the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus and elsewhere in this report.

    

Average Annual Total Returns as of 8/31/2021

 

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund

4.57%

3.11%

4.11%

Bloomberg U.S.Municipal Bond Index

3.40%

3.30%

4.05%

The performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Share price and investment return fluctuate and an investor’s shares may be worth more or less than original cost upon redemption. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Go to www.im.bnymellon.com for the fund’s most recent month-end returns.

The fund’s performance shown in the graph and table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

5

 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES (Unaudited)

As a mutual fund investor, you pay ongoing expenses, such as management fees and other expenses. Using the information below, you can estimate how these expenses affect your investment and compare them with the expenses of other funds. You also may pay one-time transaction expenses, including sales charges (loads) and redemption fees, which are not shown in this section and would have resulted in higher total expenses. For more information, see your fund’s prospectus or talk to your financial adviser.

Review your fund’s expenses

The table below shows the expenses you would have paid on a $1,000 investment in BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund from March 1, 2021 to August 31, 2021. It also shows how much a $1,000 investment would be worth at the close of the period, assuming actual returns and expenses.

    

Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment

 

Assume actual returns for the six months ended August 31, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses paid per $1,000

$3.63

 

Ending value (after expenses)

$1,028.80

 

COMPARING YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES
WITH THOSE OF OTHER FUNDS (Unaudited)

Using the SEC’s method to compare expenses

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has established guidelines to help investors assess fund expenses. Per these guidelines, the table below shows your fund’s expenses based on a $1,000 investment, assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return. You can use this information to compare the ongoing expenses (but not transaction expenses or total cost) of investing in the fund with those of other funds. All mutual fund shareholder reports will provide this information to help you make this comparison. Please note that you cannot use this information to estimate your actual ending account balance and expenses paid during the period.

    

Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment

 

Assuming a hypothetical 5% annualized return for the six months ended August 31, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses paid per $1,000

$3.62

 

Ending value (after expenses)

$1,021.63

 

Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .71%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

6

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

August 31, 2021

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Bonds and Notes - .3%

     

Collateralized Municipal-Backed Securities - .3%

     

Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. 2019-2
(cost $3,722,363)

 

3.63

 

5/20/2033

 

3,391,397

 

3,865,502

 
      

 

  

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2%

     

Alabama - 5.9%

     

Alabama Public School & College Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

11/1/2036

 

6,000,000

 

7,379,003

 

Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority, Special Tax Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

7/1/2043

 

7,500,000

 

8,921,485

 

Black Belt Energy Gas District, Revenue Bonds (Project No. 4) Ser. A1

 

4.00

 

12/1/2025

 

1,190,000

a 

1,355,439

 

Black Belt Energy Gas District, Revenue Bonds (Project No. 5) Ser. A1

 

4.00

 

10/1/2026

 

1,000,000

a 

1,161,646

 

Black Belt Energy Gas District, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B1, 1 Month LIBOR x.67 +.90%

 

0.91

 

12/1/2023

 

5,000,000

a,b 

5,041,039

 

Jefferson County, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

9/15/2035

 

2,500,000

 

3,044,608

 

Jefferson County, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. C

 

6.60

 

10/1/2042

 

20,000,000

c 

20,595,166

 

The Lower Alabama Gas District, Revenue Bonds (Gas Project)

 

4.00

 

12/1/2025

 

5,000,000

a 

5,698,114

 

The Lower Alabama Gas District, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

9/1/2028

 

3,300,000

 

4,134,601

 

The Southeast Alabama Gas Supply District, Revenue Bonds (Project No. 2) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

6/1/2024

 

7,960,000

a 

8,701,837

 

University of Alabama at Birmingham, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

4.00

 

10/1/2035

 

4,005,000

 

4,780,131

 
 

70,813,069

 

Arizona - 1.6%

     

Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Equitable School Revolving Fund Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/1/2044

 

1,975,000

 

2,370,700

 

7

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

Arizona - 1.6% (continued)

     

Glendale Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Sun Health Services Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2054

 

4,000,000

 

4,634,967

 

Glendale Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Sun Health Services Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2048

 

1,500,000

 

1,741,547

 

La Paz County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Harmony Public Schools) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

2/15/2046

 

1,500,000

d 

1,678,200

 

Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Banner Health Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2041

 

2,500,000

 

3,046,659

 

Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Banner Health Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

1/1/2031

 

1,750,000

 

2,135,980

 

Maricopa County Special Health Care District, GO, Ser. D

 

4.00

 

7/1/2035

 

1,375,000

 

1,704,304

 

Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp., Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

4.00

 

7/1/2044

 

2,000,000

 

2,311,225

 
 

19,623,582

 

California - 7.0%

     

California, GO

 

5.00

 

10/1/2030

 

8,000,000

 

10,299,976

 

California, GO, Refunding

 

5.00

 

4/1/2033

 

7,900,000

 

10,240,945

 

California, GO, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.)

 

5.25

 

8/1/2032

 

5,500,000

 

7,755,344

 

California County Tobacco Securitization Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

6/1/2034

 

5,295,000

 

5,533,636

 

California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Sutter Health Obligated Group) Ser. B

 

5.00

 

11/15/2046

 

4,000,000

 

4,812,061

 

California Housing Finance, Revenue Bonds, Ser. 2021-1

 

3.50

 

11/20/2035

 

2,982,243

 

3,533,776

 

California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Loma Linda University Medical Center Obligated Group)

 

5.25

 

12/1/2048

 

1,800,000

d 

2,115,531

 

Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A1

 

5.00

 

6/1/2028

 

3,265,000

 

4,019,282

 

8

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

California - 7.0% (continued)

     

Jefferson Union High School District, COP (Teacher & Staff Housing Project) (Insured; Build America Mutual)

 

4.00

 

8/1/2050

 

3,255,000

 

3,777,606

 

Los Angeles Department of Airports, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

5/15/2033

 

1,500,000

 

1,615,824

 

San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

7/1/2043

 

6,000,000

 

6,473,311

 

San Francisco City & County Airport Commission, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (San Francisco International Airport) Ser. B

 

5.00

 

5/1/2041

 

12,500,000

 

14,797,420

 

San Francisco City & County Airport Commission, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. E

 

5.00

 

5/1/2050

 

3,500,000

 

4,292,068

 

University of California Regents Medical Center, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. J

 

5.00

 

5/15/2043

 

5,000,000

 

5,394,103

 
 

84,660,883

 

Colorado - 4.8%

     

Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Covenant Retirement Communities & Services Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

12/1/2048

 

6,000,000

 

7,050,409

 

Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Adventist Health Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

11/19/2026

 

5,000,000

a 

6,156,959

 

Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (CommonSpirit Health Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

8/1/2044

 

3,500,000

 

4,344,365

 

Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

1/1/2036

 

5,000,000

 

5,989,304

 

Denver City & County Airport System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2031

 

2,000,000

 

2,522,619

 

Denver City & County Airport System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2048

 

5,000,000

 

6,113,592

 

Denver City & County Airport System, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.25

 

11/15/2043

 

6,000,000

 

6,599,080

 

Denver City & County Airport System, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.50

 

11/15/2027

 

6,000,000

 

6,654,197

 

9

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

Colorado - 4.8% (continued)

     

Denver City & County School District No. 1, GO (Insured; State Aid Withholding) Ser. A

 

5.50

 

12/1/2041

 

1,550,000

 

1,976,699

 

Denver Convention Center Hotel Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

12/1/2036

 

1,315,000

 

1,532,804

 

Denver Convention Center Hotel Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

12/1/2027

 

3,860,000

 

4,641,001

 

Dominion Water & Sanitation District, Revenue Bonds

 

5.75

 

12/1/2036

 

3,500,000

 

3,606,733

 

Dominion Water & Sanitation District, Revenue Bonds

 

6.00

 

12/1/2046

 

485,000

 

499,738

 
 

57,687,500

 

Connecticut - 1.8%

     

Connecticut, GO, Ser. C

 

5.00

 

6/15/2035

 

1,000,000

 

1,256,972

 

Connecticut, GO, Ser. C

 

5.00

 

6/15/2034

 

1,020,000

 

1,284,265

 

Connecticut, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

9/1/2033

 

6,000,000

 

6,807,480

 

Connecticut, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

5/1/2034

 

3,000,000

 

4,020,877

 

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. C1

 

3.25

 

5/15/2044

 

2,295,000

 

2,523,856

 

The Metropolitan District, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Green Bond) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/1/2034

 

5,025,000

 

5,689,582

 
 

21,583,032

 

District of Columbia - 1.1%

     

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

10/1/2035

 

2,000,000

 

2,471,761

 

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Dulles Metrorail) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/1/2031

 

1,500,000

 

1,900,474

 

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Dulles Metrorail) Ser. B

 

4.00

 

10/1/2049

 

1,000,000

 

1,151,633

 

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/1/2035

 

2,000,000

 

2,399,408

 

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Aviation Revenue, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/1/2038

 

4,000,000

 

5,013,015

 
 

12,936,291

 

10

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

Florida - 6.8%

     

Broward County Airport System, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

10/1/2047

 

5,000,000

 

6,036,678

 

Broward County School District, COP, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2027

 

4,900,000

 

6,077,136

 

Central Florida Expressway Authority, Revenue Bonds (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. D

 

5.00

 

7/1/2035

 

3,500,000

 

4,693,089

 

Central Florida Expressway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

7/1/2038

 

2,500,000

 

3,052,112

 

Escambia County, Revenue Bonds (Sales Tax)

 

5.00

 

10/1/2046

 

5,000,000

 

6,040,697

 

Florida Department of Management Services, COP, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/1/2030

 

2,000,000

 

2,697,074

 

Gainesville Utilities System, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/1/2037

 

2,000,000

 

2,467,053

 

Jacksonville, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Brooks Rehabilitation Project)

 

4.00

 

11/1/2045

 

3,000,000

 

3,442,758

 

Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency, Tax Allocation Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

2/1/2035

 

1,500,000

 

1,658,776

 

Miami Beach Stormwater, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

9/1/2047

 

7,000,000

 

7,298,706

 

Miami-Dade County Water & Sewer System, Revenue Bonds

 

4.00

 

10/1/2051

 

5,000,000

 

5,893,571

 

Orlando Utilities Commission, Revenue Bonds (Series 2018 Project) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/1/2038

 

3,000,000

 

3,707,954

 

Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (ACTS Retirement-Life Communities Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

11/15/2045

 

11,500,000

 

13,338,653

 

Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Baptist Health South Florida Obligated Group)

 

4.00

 

8/15/2049

 

4,760,000

 

5,482,598

 

Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Baptist Health South Florida Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

8/15/2039

 

1,000,000

 

1,260,121

 

Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Baptist Health South Florida Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

8/15/2038

 

1,200,000

 

1,515,681

 

11

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

Florida - 6.8% (continued)

     

Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

7/1/2035

 

5,875,000

 

6,953,591

 
 

81,616,248

 

Georgia - 4.1%

     

Atlanta Airport Passenger Facility Charge, Revenue Bonds, Ser. C

 

5.00

 

7/1/2040

 

8,555,000

 

10,857,030

 

Georgia Municipal Electric Authority, Revenue Bonds (Plant Vogtle Units 3&4 Project)

 

5.00

 

1/1/2039

 

1,000,000

 

1,231,102

 

Georgia Municipal Electric Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Project No. 1) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2028

 

8,400,000

 

10,082,157

 

Main Street Natural Gas, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B, 1 Month LIBOR x.67 +.75%

 

0.81

 

9/1/2023

 

7,500,000

a,b 

7,538,124

 

Main Street Natural Gas, Revenue Bonds, Ser. C

 

4.00

 

9/1/2026

 

9,000,000

a 

10,394,510

 

Private Colleges & Universities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Emory University) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/1/2043

 

8,875,000

 

9,677,705

 
 

49,780,628

 

Hawaii - .6%

     

Hawaii Airports System, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2043

 

5,000,000

 

6,144,599

 

Honolulu City & County, GO, Ser. C

 

4.00

 

7/1/2041

 

1,000,000

 

1,193,210

 
 

7,337,809

 

Idaho - .6%

     

Power County Industrial Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (FMC Corp. Project)

 

6.45

 

8/1/2032

 

7,625,000

 

7,665,568

 

Illinois - 9.0%

     

Chicago Board of Education, GO, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2035

 

1,000,000

 

1,242,652

 

Chicago Board of Education, GO, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2034

 

1,000,000

 

1,244,789

 

Chicago Board of Education, GO, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. C

 

5.00

 

12/1/2030

 

1,500,000

 

1,866,953

 

Chicago Board of Education, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

4/1/2042

 

2,500,000

 

3,035,348

 

Chicago II Waterworks, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

11/1/2028

 

7,200,000

 

8,719,748

 

Chicago II Waterworks, Revenue Bonds (Second Lien Project)

 

5.00

 

11/1/2027

 

2,695,000

 

3,064,346

 

12

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

Illinois - 9.0% (continued)

     

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2029

 

6,185,000

 

7,078,916

 

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2048

 

3,500,000

 

4,274,456

 

Chicago Park District, GO, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

1/1/2027

 

3,000,000

 

3,294,494

 

Chicago Transit Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2055

 

2,500,000

 

3,071,716

 

Cook County II, GO, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2026

 

1,500,000

 

1,839,554

 

Cook County II, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

11/15/2036

 

7,000,000

 

8,614,588

 

Cook County II, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2031

 

2,250,000

 

3,023,119

 

Greater Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, GO (Green Bond) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2044

 

5,000,000

 

5,685,528

 

Illinois, Revenue Bonds (Insured; Build America Mutual) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

6/15/2032

 

4,325,000

 

5,356,454

 

Illinois Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign Project)

 

5.00

 

10/1/2044

 

1,100,000

 

1,358,439

 

Illinois Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (OSF Healthcare System Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2045

 

2,500,000

 

2,916,434

 

Illinois Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The University of Chicago) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

4/1/2050

 

6,000,000

 

6,971,365

 

Illinois Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

6.00

 

7/1/2043

 

3,250,000

 

3,496,731

 

Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

2/1/2032

 

5,000,000

 

5,853,167

 

Illinois Toll Highway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2041

 

4,500,000

 

5,852,594

 

Illinois Toll Highway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

1/1/2036

 

1,500,000

 

1,768,168

 

Northern Illinois University, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Build America Mutual) Ser. B

 

4.00

 

4/1/2036

 

650,000

 

763,906

 

Railsplitter Tobacco Settlement Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

6/1/2026

 

4,290,000

 

5,185,342

 

Sales Tax Securitization Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Build America Mutual) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

1/1/2040

 

6,175,000

 

7,302,774

 

13

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

Illinois - 9.0% (continued)

     

University of Illinois, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Auxiliary Facilities System) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

4/1/2027

 

5,000,000

 

5,353,885

 
 

108,235,466

 

Indiana - .5%

     

Indiana Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (CWA Authority Project)

 

4.00

 

10/1/2035

 

1,000,000

 

1,246,539

 

Indiana Municipal Power Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2037

 

2,500,000

 

2,999,404

 

Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A1

 

5.00

 

1/1/2026

 

2,000,000

 

2,382,032

 
 

6,627,975

 

Iowa - .9%

     

Iowa Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (Genesis Health System Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2023

 

1,410,000

e 

1,533,872

 

Iowa Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC) Ser. A

 

3.00

 

1/1/2047

 

3,635,000

 

3,979,758

 

Iowa Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. E

 

5.00

 

8/15/2032

 

2,500,000

 

2,980,527

 

Iowa Tobacco Settlement Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B1

 

4.00

 

6/1/2049

 

1,000,000

 

1,159,015

 

PEFA, Revenue Bonds (PEFA Gas Project)

 

5.00

 

9/1/2026

 

1,000,000

a 

1,202,669

 
 

10,855,841

 

Kentucky - 2.6%

     

Kentucky Public Energy Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

4/1/2024

 

2,780,000

 

3,031,521

 

Kentucky Public Energy Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

4/1/2024

 

1,040,000

a 

1,132,041

 

Kentucky Public Energy Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

6/1/2026

 

4,500,000

a 

5,170,479

 

Kentucky Public Energy Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

4.00

 

1/1/2025

 

19,625,000

a 

21,723,470

 
 

31,057,511

 

Louisiana - 2.9%

     

Lafayette Utilities, Revenue Bonds (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.)

 

5.00

 

11/1/2044

 

1,500,000

 

1,866,996

 

14

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

Louisiana - 2.9% (continued)

     

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2047

 

4,250,000

 

5,078,004

 

New Orleans Aviation Board, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Consolidated Rental Car Project) (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.)

 

5.00

 

1/1/2037

 

1,750,000

 

2,140,075

 

New Orleans Aviation Board, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

1/1/2045

 

5,000,000

 

5,676,480

 

New Orleans Aviation Board, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

1/1/2040

 

7,825,000

 

8,891,993

 

St. John the Baptist Parish, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Marathon Oil Corp.)

 

2.20

 

7/1/2026

 

1,000,000

a 

1,057,416

 

Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.25

 

5/15/2035

 

9,140,000

 

9,836,119

 
 

34,547,083

 

Maryland - .8%

     

Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (MedStar Health Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

8/15/2038

 

4,000,000

 

4,589,639

 

Maryland Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

6/1/2029

 

4,360,000

 

5,644,646

 
 

10,234,285

 

Massachusetts - .8%

     

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Wellfare Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2044

 

1,000,000

 

1,211,520

 

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. K

 

5.25

 

7/1/2029

 

1,630,000

 

1,686,067

 

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

7/1/2029

 

1,450,000

 

1,849,174

 

Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund Metropolitan Highway System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2034

 

4,000,000

 

5,039,467

 
 

9,786,228

 

Michigan - 3.7%

     

Great Lakes Water Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

7/1/2046

 

10,000,000

 

11,855,282

 

Karegnondi Water Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

11/1/2045

 

4,690,000

 

5,674,737

 

15

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

Michigan - 3.7% (continued)

     

Lansing Board of Water & Light, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

2.00

 

7/1/2026

 

2,500,000

a 

2,660,399

 

Michigan Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

11/15/2034

 

2,965,000

 

3,421,862

 

Michigan Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Great Lakes Water Authority) (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. C3

 

5.00

 

7/1/2032

 

3,500,000

 

3,948,171

 

Michigan Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Trinity Health Credit Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2042

 

1,000,000

 

1,231,571

 

Michigan Housing Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

3.50

 

12/1/2050

 

1,455,000

 

1,609,094

 

Michigan Strategic Fund, Revenue Bonds (AMT-I-75 Improvement Project)

 

5.00

 

6/30/2048

 

7,000,000

 

8,426,144

 

Wayne County Airport Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. D

 

5.00

 

12/1/2045

 

5,000,000

 

5,883,794

 
 

44,711,054

 

Missouri - 1.1%

     

Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Iatan 2 Project) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2033

 

2,200,000

 

2,434,013

 

St. Louis County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Friendship Village St. Louis Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

9/1/2048

 

2,250,000

 

2,564,159

 

The Missouri Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (CoxHealth Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2029

 

3,770,000

 

4,386,127

 

The Missouri Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (CoxHealth Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2030

 

3,725,000

 

4,325,428

 
 

13,709,727

 

Nebraska - .3%

     

Public Power Generation Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

1/1/2041

 

3,050,000

 

3,606,392

 

Nevada - 1.8%

     

Clark County Department of Aviation, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2040

 

14,000,000

 

16,320,671

 

16

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

Nevada - 1.8% (continued)

     

Reno, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Reno Transportation Rail Access Project)

 

5.00

 

6/1/2048

 

1,000,000

 

1,167,047

 

Reno, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Reno Transportation Rail Access Project) Ser. C

 

0.00

 

7/1/2058

 

21,000,000

d,f 

3,741,104

 
 

21,228,822

 

New Jersey - 4.4%

     

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

6/15/2028

 

2,250,000

 

2,326,535

 

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. NN

 

5.00

 

3/1/2028

 

3,250,000

 

3,476,926

 

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. WW

 

5.25

 

6/15/2029

 

3,130,000

 

3,675,300

 

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. WW

 

5.25

 

6/15/2031

 

7,550,000

 

8,856,035

 

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. XX

 

5.25

 

6/15/2027

 

5,000,000

 

5,877,258

 

New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Virtua Health Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2028

 

3,000,000

 

3,320,324

 

New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

6/15/2032

 

1,250,000

 

1,574,803

 

New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. BB

 

5.00

 

6/15/2044

 

1,000,000

 

1,231,856

 

New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. D

 

5.00

 

1/1/2028

 

1,000,000

 

1,203,904

 

Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

6/1/2046

 

10,490,000

 

12,606,120

 

Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

6/1/2037

 

5,000,000

 

6,167,109

 

Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.25

 

6/1/2046

 

1,860,000

 

2,277,858

 
 

52,594,028

 

New Mexico - .3%

     

New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (Insured; GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC) Ser. C

 

3.00

 

1/1/2052

 

3,250,000

 

3,582,734

 

17

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

New York - 6.3%

     

Long Island Power Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

9/1/2034

 

1,000,000

 

1,240,447

 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Green Bond) Ser. C1

 

5.00

 

11/15/2031

 

4,170,000

 

5,144,741

 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. D

 

5.00

 

11/15/2030

 

1,000,000

 

1,199,703

 

New York City, GO, Refunding, Ser. A1

 

4.00

 

8/1/2034

 

2,525,000

 

3,070,508

 

New York City, GO, Ser. C

 

4.00

 

8/1/2040

 

3,000,000

 

3,575,345

 

New York City, GO, Ser. D1

 

4.00

 

3/1/2050

 

3,710,000

 

4,295,864

 

New York City, GO, Ser. D1

 

4.00

 

3/1/2041

 

4,000,000

 

4,717,923

 

New York City, GO, Ser. F1

 

4.00

 

3/1/2047

 

1,400,000

 

1,640,084

 

New York City Industrial Development Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Queens Baseball Stadium Project) (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2027

 

1,000,000

 

1,225,589

 

New York City Transitional Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

4.00

 

5/1/2036

 

7,780,000

 

9,463,290

 

New York City Water & Sewer System, Revenue Bonds, Ser. DD1

 

4.00

 

6/15/2050

 

3,500,000

 

4,075,975

 

New York Liberty Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (4 World Trade Center Project)

 

5.00

 

11/15/2031

 

5,000,000

 

5,049,760

 

New York Liberty Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Class 1-3 World Trade Center Project)

 

5.00

 

11/15/2044

 

7,500,000

d 

8,292,868

 

New York Liberty Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Goldman Sachs Headquarters)

 

5.25

 

10/1/2035

 

1,000,000

 

1,437,778

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds (New York University) (Insured; National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.) Ser. A

 

5.75

 

7/1/2027

 

3,960,000

 

4,677,636

 

New York State Thruway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. B

 

4.00

 

1/1/2050

 

3,655,000

 

4,286,018

 

New York Transportation Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (LaGuardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment Project) Ser. A

 

5.25

 

1/1/2050

 

6,500,000

 

7,311,307

 

18

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

New York - 6.3% (continued)

     

Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. C2

 

5.00

 

11/15/2042

 

3,500,000

 

4,323,829

 

Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2049

 

1,000,000

 

1,286,739

 
 

76,315,404

 

North Carolina - .7%

     

North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Revenue Bonds (Caromont Health Obligated Group) Ser. B

 

5.00

 

2/1/2026

 

2,250,000

a 

2,695,617

 

North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Revenue Bonds (Twin Lakes Community) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2049

 

3,000,000

 

3,466,384

 

North Carolina Turnpike Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.)

 

5.00

 

1/1/2039

 

2,000,000

 

2,403,226

 
 

8,565,227

 

Ohio - 1.0%

     

Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A2

 

4.00

 

6/1/2048

 

7,500,000

 

8,620,161

 

Cuyahoga County, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The MetroHealth System)

 

5.25

 

2/15/2047

 

2,500,000

 

2,986,514

 
 

11,606,675

 

Oregon - .6%

     

Medford Hospital Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Asante Project) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

8/15/2045

 

1,500,000

 

1,915,340

 

Portland, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

3.00

 

3/1/2036

 

5,040,000

 

5,684,110

 
 

7,599,450

 

Pennsylvania - 7.5%

     

Allegheny County Hospital Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (UPMC Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

7/15/2035

 

2,000,000

 

2,378,547

 

Berks County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The Highlands at Wyomissing Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

5/15/2048

 

1,000,000

 

1,124,723

 

Commonwealth Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

6/1/2035

 

3,500,000

 

4,299,973

 

Commonwealth Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

6/1/2031

 

1,250,000

 

1,553,768

 

19

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

Pennsylvania - 7.5% (continued)

     

Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. C, 1 Month MUNIPSA +.53%

 

0.55

 

9/1/2023

 

11,000,000

a,b 

10,991,727

 

Lancaster County Hospital Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The University of Pennsylvania Health System Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

8/15/2042

 

5,240,000

 

6,250,937

 

Luzerne County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Pennsylvania-American Water Co.)

 

2.45

 

12/3/2029

 

2,500,000

a 

2,727,212

 

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

4.00

 

12/1/2042

 

5,500,000

 

6,513,587

 

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

6/1/2028

 

4,500,000

 

5,397,580

 

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

12/1/2034

 

2,160,000

 

2,546,825

 

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.25

 

12/1/2048

 

16,855,000

 

21,261,598

 

Philadelphia Gas Works, Revenue Bonds (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

8/1/2045

 

1,500,000

 

1,759,987

 

The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

4/15/2024

 

1,810,000

 

2,006,645

 

The Philadelphia School District, GO (Insured; State Aid Withholding) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

9/1/2044

 

7,500,000

 

9,403,601

 

The Philadelphia School District, GO (Insured; State Aid Withholding) Ser. B

 

5.00

 

9/1/2043

 

5,280,000

 

6,485,288

 

The Philadelphia School District, GO, Refunding (Insured; State Aid Withholding) Ser. F

 

5.00

 

9/1/2027

 

5,000,000

 

6,070,430

 
 

90,772,428

 

South Carolina - 2.6%

     

South Carolina Ports Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

7/1/2038

 

1,600,000

 

1,983,211

 

South Carolina Ports Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

7/1/2037

 

2,965,000

 

3,675,797

 

South Carolina Public Service Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Santee Cooper Project) Ser. B

 

5.13

 

12/1/2043

 

16,000,000

 

17,622,805

 

20

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

South Carolina - 2.6% (continued)

     

South Carolina Public Service Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Santee Cooper Project) Ser. C

 

5.00

 

12/1/2036

 

5,000,000

 

5,060,033

 

South Carolina Public Service Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

12/1/2042

 

3,000,000

 

3,535,283

 
 

31,877,129

 

South Dakota - .7%

     

South Dakota Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Avera Health Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2044

 

5,000,000

 

5,607,103

 

South Dakota Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Sanford Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

11/1/2035

 

3,000,000

 

3,503,876

 
 

9,110,979

 

Tennessee - 1.1%

     

Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facilities Board, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Lipscomb University Project)

 

5.00

 

10/1/2037

 

1,000,000

 

1,244,046

 

Tennergy Corp., Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

9/1/2028

 

1,000,000

a 

1,195,050

 

Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. 3A

 

3.50

 

7/1/2050

 

970,000

 

1,073,562

 

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

7/1/2044

 

8,000,000

 

10,069,810

 
 

13,582,468

 

Texas - 6.4%

     

Austin Water & Wastewater System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2043

 

10,500,000

 

11,301,427

 

Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. E

 

5.00

 

1/1/2045

 

3,000,000

 

3,758,236

 

Central Texas Turnpike System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. C

 

5.00

 

8/15/2031

 

5,000,000

 

5,635,433

 

Corpus Christi Utility System, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

7/15/2040

 

5,000,000

 

5,800,784

 

Corpus Christi Utility System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

7/15/2036

 

1,500,000

 

1,827,309

 

Garland Electric Utility System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

3/1/2044

 

3,000,000

 

3,685,714

 

21

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

Texas - 6.4% (continued)

     

Love Field Airport Modernization Corp., Revenue Bonds (Southwest Airlines Co. Project)

 

5.00

 

11/1/2028

 

4,450,000

 

4,688,806

 

Lower Colorado River Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

5/15/2039

 

6,750,000

 

7,252,010

 

Lower Colorado River Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (LCRA Transmission Services Corp.) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

5/15/2049

 

1,500,000

 

1,679,133

 

Lubbock Electric Light & Power System, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

4/15/2048

 

5,000,000

 

5,946,723

 

North Texas Tollway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

1/1/2048

 

1,750,000

 

2,097,732

 

North Texas Tollway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2039

 

14,250,000

 

16,837,648

 

Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Baylor Scott & White Health Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2045

 

2,500,000

 

2,939,483

 

West Harris County Regional Water Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

4.00

 

12/15/2049

 

3,850,000

 

4,495,503

 
 

77,945,941

 

U.S. Related - .5%

     

Puerto Rico Highway & Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Corp.) Ser. L

 

5.25

 

7/1/2041

 

4,900,000

 

5,628,681

 

Utah - .6%

     

Salt Lake City, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2037

 

4,500,000

 

5,440,871

 

Utah Charter School Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

10/15/2048

 

1,200,000

 

1,401,237

 
 

6,842,108

 

Virginia - .6%

     

Danville Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Danville Regional Medical Center) (Insured; American Municipal Bond Assurance Corp.)

 

5.25

 

10/1/2028

 

1,090,000

 

1,209,278

 

Virginia College Building Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

4.00

 

2/1/2036

 

2,000,000

 

2,422,343

 

22

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

Virginia - .6% (continued)

     

Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds (95 Express Lanes)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2034

 

3,400,000

 

3,453,626

 
 

7,085,247

 

Washington - 3.7%

     

Grant County Public Utility District No. 2, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. 2017-O

 

5.00

 

1/1/2047

 

3,400,000

 

4,125,732

 

Port of Seattle, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

4/1/2044

 

5,000,000

 

6,091,210

 

Washington, GO, Ser. A1

 

5.00

 

8/1/2035

 

4,500,000

 

5,283,138

 

Washington Convention Center Public Facilities District, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

7/1/2048

 

5,440,000

 

6,585,933

 

Washington Convention Center Public Facilities District, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

7/1/2043

 

6,560,000

 

7,966,614

 

Washington Health Care Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Providence Health & Services) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/1/2042

 

12,375,000

 

13,004,545

 

Washington Housing Finance Commission, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A1

 

3.50

 

12/20/2035

 

996,537

 

1,171,060

 
 

44,228,232

 

Wisconsin - 3.5%

     

Public Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (KU Campus Development Corporation Project)

 

5.00

 

3/1/2046

 

5,000,000

 

5,849,669

 

Public Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Renown Regional Medical Center) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

6/1/2040

 

6,000,000

 

7,002,183

 

Public Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (WakeMed Hospital Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/1/2044

 

3,890,000

 

4,760,490

 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2017-XF2418), (Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Ascension Health Alliance Senior Credit Group)) Recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 5.00

 

8.00

 

11/15/2043

 

10,000,000

d,g,h 

11,054,452

 

Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Obligated Group)

 

4.00

 

8/15/2050

 

4,000,000

 

4,694,865

 

23

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

 Maturity Date

 

Principal Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 99.2% (continued)

     

Wisconsin - 3.5% (continued)

     

Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (ProHealth Care Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

8/15/2039

 

6,100,000

 

6,878,608

 

Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Rogers Memorial Hospital Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2049

 

1,500,000

 

1,753,527

 
 

41,993,794

 

Total Long-Term Municipal Investments
(cost $1,104,798,479)

 

1,197,635,519

 

Total Investments (cost $1,108,520,842)

 

99.5%

1,201,501,021

 

Cash and Receivables (Net)

 

0.5%

5,936,139

 

Net Assets

 

100.0%

1,207,437,160

 

a These securities have a put feature; the date shown represents the put date and the bond holder can take a specific action to retain the bond after the put date.

b Variable rate security—interest rate resets periodically and rate shown is the interest rate in effect at period end. Security description also includes the reference rate and spread if published and available.

c Zero coupon until a specified date at which time the stated coupon rate becomes effective until maturity.

d Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At August 31, 2021, these securities were valued at $26,882,155 or 2.23% of net assets.

e These securities are prerefunded; the date shown represents the prerefunded date. Bonds which are prerefunded are collateralized by U.S. Government securities which are held in escrow and are used to pay principal and interest on the municipal issue and to retire the bonds in full at the earliest refunding date.

f Security issued with a zero coupon. Income is recognized through the accretion of discount.

g The Variable Rate shall be determined by the Remarketing Agent in its sole discretion based on prevailing market conditions and may, but need not, be established by reference to one or more financial indices.

h Collateral for floating rate borrowings. The coupon rate given represents the current interest rate for the inverse floating rate security.

24

 

  

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)

Value (%)

General

15.6

Airport

13.3

Medical

12.8

Transportation

12.1

Water

8.3

Education

6.0

Power

5.9

General Obligation

5.8

Tobacco Settlement

5.1

Nursing Homes

3.4

Development

2.5

School District

2.3

Utilities

2.1

Facilities

1.2

Single Family Housing

1.1

Special Tax

.7

Multifamily Housing

.7

Student Loan

.3

Bond Bank

.2

Prerefunded

.1

 

99.5

 Based on net assets.

See notes to financial statements.

25

 

    
 

Summary of Abbreviations (Unaudited)

 

ABAG

Association of Bay Area Governments

AGC

ACE Guaranty Corporation

AGIC

Asset Guaranty Insurance Company

AMBAC

American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation

BAN

Bond Anticipation Notes

BSBY

Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index

CIFG

CDC Ixis Financial Guaranty

COP

Certificate of Participation

CP

Commercial Paper

DRIVERS

Derivative Inverse Tax-Exempt Receipts

EFFR

Effective Federal Funds Rate

FGIC

Financial Guaranty Insurance Company

FHA

Federal Housing Administration

FHLB

Federal Home Loan Bank

FHLMC

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

FNMA

Federal National Mortgage Association

GAN

Grant Anticipation Notes

GIC

Guaranteed Investment Contract

GNMA

Government National Mortgage Association

GO

General Obligation

IDC

Industrial Development Corporation

LIBOR

London Interbank Offered Rate

LOC

Letter of Credit

LR

Lease Revenue

NAN

Note Anticipation Notes

MFHR

Multi-Family Housing Revenue

MFMR

Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue

MUNIPSA

Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index Yield

OBFR

Overnight Bank Funding Rate

PILOT

Payment in Lieu of Taxes

PRIME

Prime Lending Rate

PUTTERS

Puttable Tax-Exempt Receipts

RAC

Revenue Anticipation Certificates

RAN

Revenue Anticipation Notes

RIB

Residual Interest Bonds

SFHR

Single Family Housing Revenue

SFMR

Single Family Mortgage Revenue

SOFR

Secured Overnight Financing Rate

TAN

Tax Anticipation Notes

TRAN

Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes

U.S. T-Bill

U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield

XLCA

XL Capital Assurance

    

See notes to financial statements.

26

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

August 31, 2021

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Value

 

Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments

1,108,520,842

 

1,201,501,021

 

Cash

 

 

 

 

40,474

 

Interest receivable

 

12,054,838

 

Receivable for shares of Common Stock subscribed

 

156,801

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

 

 

25,886

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,213,779,020

 

Liabilities ($):

 

 

 

 

Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates—Note 3(b)

 

664,602

 

Payable for floating rate notes issued—Note 4

 

5,000,000

 

Payable for shares of Common Stock redeemed

 

537,349

 

Directors’ fees and expenses payable

 

15,666

 

Interest and expense payable related to
floating rate notes issued—Note 4

 

13,513

 

Other accrued expenses

 

 

 

 

110,730

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,341,860

 

Net Assets ($)

 

 

1,207,437,160

 

Composition of Net Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

1,106,270,513

 

Total distributable earnings (loss)

 

 

 

 

101,166,647

 

Net Assets ($)

 

 

1,207,437,160

 

     

Shares Outstanding

 

 

(600 million shares of $.001 par value Common Stock authorized)

99,068,276

 

Net Asset Value Per Share ($)

 

12.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

  

 

27

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended August 31, 2021

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income ($):

 

 

 

 

Interest Income

 

 

37,652,306

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

Management fee—Note 3(a)

 

 

7,288,061

 

Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(b)

 

 

1,012,204

 

Professional fees

 

 

112,450

 

Directors’ fees and expenses—Note 3(c)

 

 

95,106

 

Loan commitment fees—Note 2

 

 

51,840

 

Registration fees

 

 

38,800

 

Interest and expense related to floating rate notes issued—Note 4

 

 

37,274

 

Prospectus and shareholders’ reports

 

 

30,792

 

Custodian fees—Note 3(b)

 

 

19,146

 

Chief Compliance Officer fees—Note 3(b)

 

 

14,319

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

48,037

 

Total Expenses

 

 

8,748,029

 

Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 3(b)

 

 

(2,288)

 

Net Expenses

 

 

8,745,741

 

Investment Income—Net

 

 

28,906,565

 

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 4 ($):

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

8,054,661

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

16,879,163

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

 

 

24,933,824

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

53,840,389

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

     

28

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

          

 

 

 

 

Year Ended August 31,

 

 

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

Operations ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income—net

 

 

28,906,565

 

 

 

32,089,149

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

 

8,054,661

 

 

 

7,566,001

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on investments

 

16,879,163

 

 

 

(15,787,499)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations

53,840,389

 

 

 

23,867,651

 

Distributions ($):

 

Distributions to shareholders

 

 

(35,216,044)

 

 

 

(41,523,205)

 

Capital Stock Transactions ($):

 

Net proceeds from shares sold

 

 

40,107,513

 

 

 

34,560,644

 

Distributions reinvested

 

 

28,038,232

 

 

 

32,952,132

 

Cost of shares redeemed

 

 

(95,567,533)

 

 

 

(112,754,849)

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
from Capital Stock Transactions

(27,421,788)

 

 

 

(45,242,073)

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

(8,797,443)

 

 

 

(62,897,627)

 

Net Assets ($):

 

Beginning of Period

 

 

1,216,234,603

 

 

 

1,279,132,230

 

End of Period

 

 

1,207,437,160

 

 

 

1,216,234,603

 

Capital Share Transactions (Shares):

 

Shares sold

 

 

3,311,438

 

 

 

2,901,828

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

2,314,862

 

 

 

2,764,886

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(7,889,309)

 

 

 

(9,522,880)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(2,263,009)

 

 

 

(3,856,166)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

        

29

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following table describes the performance for the fiscal periods indicated. Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption at net asset value on the last day of the period. Net asset value total return includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements.

       
  
 

Year Ended August 31,

 

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Per Share Data ($):

      

Net asset value,
beginning of period

 

12.00

12.16

11.56

11.85

12.18

Investment Operations:

      

Investment income—neta

 

.29

.31

.32

.34

.36

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

 

.25

(.07)

.63

(.29)

(.33)

Total from Investment Operations

 

.54

.24

.95

.05

.03

Distributions:

      

Dividends from
investment income—net

 

(.29)

(.31)

(.33)

(.34)

(.36)

Dividends from net realized
gain on investments

 

(.06)

(.09)

(.02)

(.00)b

-

Total Distributions

 

(.35)

(.40)

(.35)

(.34)

(.36)

Net asset value, end of period

 

12.19

12.00

12.16

11.56

11.85

Total Return (%)

 

4.57

2.05

8.35

.52

.29

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

      

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

 

.72

.72

.73

.72

.73

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

 

.72

.72

.73

.72

.73

Ratio of interest and expense related to floating rate notes issued
to average net assets

 

.00c

.01

.01

.01

.00c

Ratio of net investment
income to average net assets

 

2.38

2.60

2.78

2.90

3.07

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

9.11

19.23

14.49

31.21

13.89

Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)

 

1,207,437

1,216,235

1,279,132

1,283,287

1,364,939

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Amount represents less than $.01 per share.

c Amount represents less than .01%.

See notes to financial statements.

30

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund (the “fund”) is the sole series of BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Funds, Inc. (the “Company”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified open-end management investment company. The fund’s investment objective is to seek to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax, to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital. BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. (the “Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon”), serves as the fund’s investment adviser. Effective September 1, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), the Adviser has engaged its affiliate, Insight North America LLC (“INA”) as the fund’s sub-investment adviser pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and INA. As the fund’s sub-adviser, INA provides the day-to-day management of the fund’s investments, subject to the Adviser’s supervision and approval. The Adviser (and not the fund) pays INA for its sub-advisory services. As of the Effective Date, portfolio managers responsible for managing the fund’s investments who were employees of Mellon Investments Corporation (“Mellon”) in a dual employment arrangement with the Adviser, have become employees of INA, and are no longer employees of Mellon. BNY Mellon Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, is the distributor of the fund’s shares, which are sold to the public without a sales charge.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) is the exclusive reference of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The fund is an investment company and applies the accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB ASC Topic 946 Financial Services-Investment Companies. The fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which may require the use of management estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. The fund does not anticipate recognizing any loss related to these arrangements.

(a) Portfolio valuation: The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability

31

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

Additionally, GAAP provides guidance on determining whether the volume and activity in a market has decreased significantly and whether such a decrease in activity results in transactions that are not orderly. GAAP requires enhanced disclosures around valuation inputs and techniques used during annual and interim periods.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the fund’s investments relating to fair value measurements. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments.

Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. Valuation techniques used to value the fund’s investments are as follows:

Investments in securities are valued each business day by an independent pricing service (the “Service”) approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Investments for which quoted bid prices are readily available and are representative of the bid side of the market in the judgment of the Service are valued at the mean between the quoted bid prices (as obtained by the Service from dealers in such securities) and asked prices (as calculated by the Service based upon its evaluation of the market for such securities). Debt investments (which constitute a majority of the portfolio securities) are carried at fair value as determined by the Service, based on methods which include consideration of the following: yields or prices of municipal securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market

32

 

conditions. All of the preceding securities are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Service is engaged under the general oversight of the Board.

When market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available, or are determined not to accurately reflect fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the fund calculates its net asset value, the fund may value these investments at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Board. Certain factors may be considered when fair valuing investments such as: fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, an evaluation of the forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased and sold, and public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers. These securities are either categorized within Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the relevant inputs used.

For securities where observable inputs are limited, assumptions about market activity and risk are used and such securities are generally categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of August 31, 2021 in valuing the fund’s investments:

       
 

Level 1-Unadjusted Quoted Prices

Level 2- Other Significant Observable Inputs

 

Level 3-Significant Unobservable Inputs

Total

 

Assets ($)

  

Investments In Securities:

  

Collateralized Municipal-Backed Securities

-

3,865,502

 

-

3,865,502

 

Municipal Securities

-

1,197,635,519

 

-

1,197,635,519

 

Liabilities ($)

  

Other Financial Instruments:

  

Floating Rate Notes††

-

(5,000,000)

 

-

(5,000,000)

 

 See Statement of Investments for additional detailed categorizations, if any.

†† Certain of the fund’s liabilities are held at carrying amount, which approximates fair value for financial reporting purposes.

(b) Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses

33

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Interest income, adjusted for accretion of discount and amortization of premium on investments, is earned from settlement date and recognized on the accrual basis. Securities purchased or sold on a when issued or delayed delivery basis may be settled a month or more after the trade date.

(c) Risk: Certain events particular to the industries in which the fund’s investments conduct their operations, as well as general economic, political and public health conditions, may have a significant negative impact on the investee’s operations and profitability. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the fund. Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies world-wide.  Recent examples include pandemic risks related to COVID-19 and aggressive measures taken world-wide in response by governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines of large populations, and by businesses, including changes to operations and reducing staff. To the extent the fund may overweight its investments in certain countries, companies, industries or market sectors, such positions will increase the fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those countries, companies, industries or sectors.

(d) Dividends and distributions to shareholders: It is the policy of the fund to declare dividends daily from investment income-net. Such dividends are paid monthly. Dividends from net realized capital gains, if any, are normally declared and paid annually, but the fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To the extent that net realized capital gains can be offset by capital loss carryovers, it is the policy of the fund not to distribute such gains. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

(e) Federal income taxes: It is the policy of the fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, which can distribute tax-exempt dividends, by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code, and to make distributions of income and net realized capital gain sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes.

34

 

As of and during the period ended August 31, 2021, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended August 31, 2021, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each tax year in the four-year period ended August 31, 2021 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

At August 31, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed tax-exempt income $2,063,461, undistributed capital gains $6,276,413 and unrealized appreciation $92,826,773.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020 were as follows: tax-exempt income $28,857,535 and $32,066,488, ordinary income $151,761 and $302,365 and long-term capital gains $6,206,748 and $9,154,352, respectively.

(f) New accounting pronouncements: In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”), and in January 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope (“ASU 2021-01”), which provides optional, temporary relief with respect to the financial reporting of contracts subject to certain types of modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank offered rates as of the end of 2021. The temporary relief provided by ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is evaluating the impact of ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 on the fund’s investments, derivatives, debt and other contracts that will undergo reference rate-related modifications as a result of the reference rate reform. Management is also currently actively working with other financial institutions and counterparties to modify contracts as required by applicable regulation and within the regulatory deadlines.

NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:

The fund participates with other long-term open-end funds managed by the Adviser in a $823.5 million unsecured credit facility led by Citibank, N.A. (the “Citibank Credit Facility”) and a $300 million unsecured credit facility provided by The Bank of New York Mellon (the “BNYM Credit

35

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Facility”), a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of the Adviser, each to be utilized primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the financing of redemptions (each, a “Facility”). The Citibank Credit Facility is available in two tranches: (i) Tranche A is in an amount equal to $688.5 million and is available to all long-term open-ended funds, including the fund, and (ii) Tranche B is an amount equal to $135 million and is available only to BNY Mellon Floating Rate Income Fund, a series of BNY Mellon Investment Funds IV, Inc. Prior to September 30, 2020, the Citibank Credit Facility was $927 million with Tranche A available in an amount equal to $747 million and Tranche B available in an amount equal to $180 million. In connection therewith, the fund has agreed to pay its pro rata portion of commitment fees for Tranche A of the Citibank Credit Facility and the BNYM Credit Facility. Interest is charged to the fund based on rates determined pursuant to the terms of the respective Facility at the time of borrowing. During the period ended August 31, 2021, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.

NOTE 3—Management Fee, Sub-Investment Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

(a) Pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Adviser, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .60% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. The Agreement provides that if in any fiscal year the aggregate expenses of the fund (excluding taxes, interest expense, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses) exceed 1½% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets, the fund may deduct from the payment to be made to the Adviser or the Adviser will bear, such excess expense. During the period ended August 31, 2021, there was no expense reimbursement pursuant to the Agreement.

Effective as of the Effective Date, pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and INA, the Adviser pays the INA a monthly fee at an annual rate of .288% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets.

(b) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the fund reimburses the Distributor at an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets for certain allocated expenses of providing certain services. These services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. During the period ended August 31, 2021, the fund was charged $590,651 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

36

 

The fund has arrangements with the transfer agent and the custodian whereby the fund may receive earnings credits when positive cash balances are maintained, which are used to offset transfer agency and custody fees. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes transfer agent net earnings credits, if any, as shareholder servicing costs and includes custody net earnings credits, if any, as an expense offset in the in the Statement of Operations.

The fund compensates BNY Mellon Transfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, under a transfer agency agreement for providing transfer agency and cash management services inclusive of earnings credits, if any, for the fund. The majority of transfer agency fees are comprised of amounts paid on a per account basis, while cash management fees are related to fund subscriptions and redemptions. During the period ended August 31, 2021, the fund was charged $240,597 for transfer agency services, inclusive of earnings credit, if any. These fees are included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.

The fund compensates The Bank of New York Mellon under a custody agreement for providing custodial services for the fund. These fees are determined based on net assets, geographic region and transaction activity. During the period ended August 31, 2021, the fund was charged $19,146 pursuant to the custody agreement. These fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $2,288.

The fund compensates The Bank of New York Mellon under a shareholder redemption draft processing agreement for providing certain services related to the fund’s check writing privilege. During the period ended August 31, 2021, the fund was charged $14,352 pursuant to the agreement, which is included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.

During the period ended August 31, 2021, the fund was charged $14,319 for services performed by the Chief Compliance Officer and his staff. These fees are included in Chief Compliance Officer fees in the Statement of Operations.

The components of “Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: management fees of $617,247, custodian fees of $6,800, Chief Compliance Officer fees of $6,286 and transfer agency fees of $34,269.

(c) Each Board member also serves as a Board member of other funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds complex. Annual retainer fees and attendance fees are allocated to each fund based on net assets.

37

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales (including paydowns) of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended August 31, 2021, amounted to $109,582,262 and $137,122,241, respectively.

Inverse Floater Securities: The fund participates in secondary inverse floater structures in which fixed-rate, tax-exempt municipal bonds are transferred to a trust (the “Inverse Floater Trust”). The Inverse Floater Trust typically issues two variable rate securities that are collateralized by the cash flows of the fixed-rate, tax-exempt municipal bonds. One of these variable rate securities pays interest based on a short-term floating rate set by a remarketing agent at predetermined intervals (“Trust Certificates”). A residual interest tax-exempt security is also created by the Inverse Floater Trust, which is transferred to the fund, and is paid interest based on the remaining cash flows of the Inverse Floater Trust, after payment of interest on the other securities and various expenses of the Inverse Floater Trust. An Inverse Floater Trust may be collapsed without the consent of the fund due to certain termination events such as bankruptcy, default or other credit event.

The fund accounts for the transfer of bonds to the Inverse Floater Trust as secured borrowings, with the securities transferred remaining in the fund’s investments, and the Trust Certificates reflected as fund liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The fund may invest in inverse floater securities on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. These securities are typically supported by a liquidity facility provided by a bank or other financial institution (the “Liquidity Provider”) that allows the holders of the Trust Certificates to tender their certificates in exchange for payment from the Liquidity Provider of par plus accrued interest on any business day prior to a termination event. When the fund invests in inverse floater securities on a non-recourse basis, the Liquidity Provider is required to make a payment under the liquidity facility due to a termination event to the holders of the Trust Certificates. When this occurs, the Liquidity Provider typically liquidates all or a portion of the municipal securities held in the Inverse Floater Trust. A liquidation shortfall occurs if the Trust Certificates exceed the proceeds of the sale of the bonds in the Inverse Floater Trust (“Liquidation Shortfall”). When a fund invests in inverse floater securities on a recourse basis, the fund typically enters into a reimbursement agreement with the Liquidity Provider where the fund is required to repay the Liquidity Provider the amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, a fund investing in a

38

 

recourse inverse floater security bears the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall.

The average amount of borrowings outstanding under the inverse floater structure during the period ended August 31, 2021, was approximately $5,000,000, with a related weighted average annualized interest rate of .75%.

At August 31, 2021, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $1,103,674,248; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $92,826,773, consisting of $93,413,259 gross unrealized appreciation and $586,486 gross unrealized depreciation.

39

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund (the “Fund”) (the sole fund constituting BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Funds, Inc.), including the statement of investments, as of August 31, 2021, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (the sole fund constituting BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Funds, Inc.) at August 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds since at least 1957, but we are unable to determine the specific year.

New York, New York
October 22, 2021

40

 

IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

In accordance with federal tax law, the fund hereby reports all the dividends paid from investment income-net during its fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 as “exempt-interest dividends” (not generally subject to regular federal income tax). The fund also hereby reports $.0016 per share as a short-term capital gain distribution and $.0618 per share as a long-term capital gain distribution paid on December 23, 2020. Where required by federal tax law rules, shareholders will receive notification of their portion of the fund’s taxable ordinary dividends (if any), capital gains distributions (if any) and tax-exempt dividends paid for the 2021 calendar year on Form 1099-DIV, which will be mailed in early 2022.

41

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE FUND'S MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND APPROVAL OF SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited)

At a meeting of the fund’s Board of Directors held on May 10, 2021 (the “Meeting”), the Board discussed with representatives of the Adviser plans to realign Mellon Investments Corporation’s (“Mellon”) fixed-income capabilities with Insight North America LLC (“INA”) (the “Firm Realignment”), with such realignment scheduled to occur, subject to regulatory requirements, in the third quarter of 2021 (the “Effective Date”). The Adviser noted that, as a result of the Firm Realignment, the portfolio managers who are currently responsible for managing the investments of the fund as employees of Mellon in a dual employment arrangement with the Adviser, will become employees of INA as of the Effective Date. Consequently, the Adviser proposed to engage INA to serve as the fund’s sub-investment adviser, pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and INA (the “New Sub-Advisory Agreement”), to be effective on the Effective Date. In addition, the Adviser proposed amending the fund’s current management agreement (the “Current Management Agreement”) to more clearly reflect the Adviser’s ability to employ one or more sub-investment advisers to manage the fund on a day-to-day basis and the Adviser’s responsibility to oversee and supervise any such sub-investment adviser, and to reflect the engagement of INA as sub-investment adviser to the fund (as proposed to be amended, the “Amended Management Agreement”), to be effective on the Effective Date.

At the Meeting, the Adviser recommended the approval of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement, pursuant to which INA would serve as sub-investment adviser to the fund, and the Amended Management Agreement. The recommendation for the approval of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Amended Management Agreement was based on the following considerations, among others: (i) approval of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Amended Management Agreement would permit the fund’s current portfolio managers to continue to be responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund’s portfolio after the Effective Date as employees of INA; (ii) there will be no material changes to the fund’s investment objective, strategies or policies, no reduction in the nature or level of services provided to the fund, and no increases in the management fee payable by the fund as a result of the proposed changes to the investment advisory arrangements; and (iii) the Adviser (and not the fund) will pay INA for its sub-investment advisory services. The Board also considered the fact that the Adviser stated that it believes there are no material changes to the information the Board had previously considered at a Board meeting on November 2-3, 2020 (the “15(c) Meeting”), at which the Board re-approved the Current Management Agreement for the ensuing year, other than the information about the Firm Realignment and INA.

At the Meeting, the Board members, a majority of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of the fund (the “Independent Directors”), considered and approved the New Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Amended Management Agreement. In determining whether to approve the New Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Amended Management Agreement, the Board considered the materials prepared by the Adviser received in

42

 

advance of the Meeting and other information presented at the Meeting, which included: (i) a form of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement and a form of the Amended Management Agreement; (ii) information regarding the Firm Realignment and how it is expected to enhance investment capabilities; (iii) information regarding INA; and (iv) an opinion of counsel that the proposed changes to the investment advisory arrangements would not result in an “assignment” of the Current Management Agreement under the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and, therefore, do not require the approval of fund shareholders. The Board also considered the substance of discussions with representatives of the Adviser at the Meeting and the 15(c) Meeting.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services to be Provided. In examining the nature, extent and quality of the services that were expected to be provided by INA to the fund under the New Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board considered: (i) INA’s organization, qualification and background, as well as the qualifications of its personnel; (ii) the expertise of the personnel providing portfolio management services, which would remain the same after the Effective Date; and (iii) the investment strategy for the fund, which would remain the same after the Effective Date. The Board also considered the review process undertaken by the Adviser and the Adviser’s favorable assessment of the nature and quality of the sub-investment advisory services expected to be provided to the fund by INA after the Effective Date. Based on their consideration and review of the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the sub-investment advisory services to be provided by INA under the New Sub-Advisory Agreement, as well as INA’s ability to render such services based on its resources and the experience of the investment team, which will include the fund’s current portfolio managers, were adequate and appropriate for the fund in light of the fund’s investment objective, and supported a decision to approve the New Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Board also considered, as it related to the Amended Management Agreement, that the nature, extent and quality of the services that are provided by the Adviser are expected to remain the same, including the Adviser’s extensive administrative, accounting and compliance infrastructures, as well as the Adviser’s supervisory activities over the fund’s portfolio management personnel.

Investment Performance. The Board had considered the fund’s investment performance and that of the investment team managing the fund’s portfolio at the 15(c) Meeting (including comparative data provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.). The Board considered the performance and that the same investment professionals would continue to manage the fund’s assets after the Effective Date, as factors in evaluating the services to be provided by INA under the New Sub-Advisory Agreement after the Effective Date, and determined that these factors, when viewed together with the other factors considered by the Board, supported a decision to approve the New Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Amended Management Agreement.

Costs of Services to be Provided and Profitability. The Board considered the proposed fee payable under the New Sub-Advisory Agreement, noting that the proposed fee would be paid by the Adviser and, thus, would not impact the fees paid by the fund or the Adviser’s profitability. The Board considered the fee payable to INA in relation to

43

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE FUND'S MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND APPROVAL OF SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (Unaudited) (continued)

the fee paid to the Adviser by the fund and the respective services provided by INA and the Adviser. The Board recognized that, because INA’s fee would be paid by the Adviser, and not the fund, an analysis of profitability was more appropriate in the context of the Board’s consideration of the fund’s Current Management Agreement, and that the Board had received and considered a profitability analysis of the Adviser and its affiliates, including INA, at the 15(c) Meeting. The Board concluded that the proposed fee payable to INA by the Adviser was appropriate and the Adviser’s profitability was not excessive in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided to the fund by the Adviser under the Amended Management Agreement and INA under the New Sub-Advisory Agreement.

Economies of Scale to be Realized. The Board recognized that, because the fee payable to INA would be paid by the Adviser, and not the fund, an analysis of economies of scale was more appropriate in the context of the Board’s consideration of the Current Management Agreement, which had been done at the 15(c) Meeting. At the 15(c) Meeting, the Board determined that the economies of scale which may accrue to the Adviser and its affiliates in connection with the management of the fund had been adequately considered by the Adviser in connection with the fee rate charged to the fund pursuant to the Current Management Agreement and that, to the extent in the future it were determined that material economies of scale had not been shared with the fund, the Board would seek to have those economies of scale shared with the fund.

The Board also considered whether there were any ancillary benefits that would accrue to INA as a result of its relationship with the fund, and such ancillary benefits, if any, were determined to be reasonable.

In considering the materials and information described above, the Independent Directors received assistance from, and met separately with, their independent legal counsel, and were provided with a written description of their statutory responsibilities and the legal standards that are applicable to the approval of investment advisory and sub-investment advisory agreements.

After full consideration of the factors discussed above, with no single factor identified as being of paramount importance, the Board members, a majority of whom are Independent Directors, with the assistance of independent legal counsel, approved the New Sub-Advisory Agreement and Amended Management Agreement for the fund effective as of the Effective Date.

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LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (Unaudited)

Effective June 1, 2019, the fund adopted a liquidity risk management program (the “Liquidity Risk Management Program”) pursuant to the requirements of Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Rule 22e-4 requires registered open-end funds, including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds but not money market funds, to establish liquidity risk management programs in order to effectively manage fund liquidity and shareholder redemptions. The rule is designed to mitigate the risk that a fund could not meet redemption requests without significantly diluting the interests of remaining investors.

The rule requires the fund to assess, manage and review their liquidity risk at least annually considering applicable factors such as investment strategy and liquidity during normal and foreseeable stressed conditions, including whether the strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund and whether the fund has a relatively concentrated portfolio or large positions in particular issuers. The fund must also assess its use of borrowings and derivatives, short-term and long-term cash flow projections in normal and stressed conditions, holdings of cash and cash equivalents, and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources.

The rule also requires the fund to classify its investments as highly liquid, moderately liquid, less liquid or illiquid based on the number of days the fund expects it would take to liquidate the investment, and to review these classifications at least monthly or more often under certain conditions. The periods range from three or fewer business days for a highly liquid investment to greater than seven calendar days for settlement of a less liquid investment. Illiquid investments are those a fund does not expect to be able to sell or dispose of within seven calendar days without significantly changing the market value. The fund is prohibited from acquiring an investment if, after the acquisition, its holdings of illiquid assets will exceed 15% of its net assets. In addition, if a fund permits redemptions in-kind, the rule requires the fund to establish redemption in-kind policies and procedures governing how and when it will engage in such redemptions.

Pursuant to the rule’s requirements, the Liquidity Risk Management Program has been reviewed and approved by the Board. Furthermore, the Board has received a written report prepared by the Program’s Administrator that addresses the operation of the Program, assesses its adequacy and effectiveness and describes any material changes made to the Program.

Assessment of Program

In the opinion of the Program Administrator, the Program approved by the Board continues to be adequate for the fund and the Program has been implemented effectively. The Program Administrator has monitored the fund’s liquidity risk and the liquidity classification of the securities held by the fund and has determined that the Program is operating effectively.

During the period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, there were no material changes to the Program and no material liquidity events that impacted the fund. During the period, the fund held sufficient highly liquid assets to meet fund redemptions.

Under normal expected foreseeable fund redemption forecasts and foreseeable stressed fund redemption forecasts, the Program Administrator believes that the fund maintains sufficient highly liquid assets to meet expected fund redemptions.

45

 

BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)

INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS

Joseph S. DiMartino (77)

Chairman of the Board (1995)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Director and Trustee of funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and certain other entities (as described in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information) (1995-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· CBIZ, Inc., a public company providing professional business services, products and solutions, Director (1997-Present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 97

———————

Joni Evans (79)

Board Member (1985)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· www.wowOwow.com, an online community dedicated to women’s conversations and publications, Chief Executive Officer (2007-2019)

· Joni Evans Ltd. publishing, Principal (2006-2019)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 18

———————

Joan Gulley (73)

Board Member (2017)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Nantucket Atheneum, public library, Chair (2018-June 2021) and Director (2015-June 2021)

· Orchard Island Club, golf and beach club, Governor (2016-Present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 43

———————

46

 

Alan H. Howard (61)

Board Member (2018)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Heathcote Advisors LLC, a financial advisory services firm, Managing Partner (2008-Present)

· Dynatech/MPX Holdings LLC, a global supplier and service provider of military aircraft parts, President (2012-2019); and Board Member of its two operating subsidiaries, Dynatech International LLC and Military Parts Exchange LLC (2012-2019), including Chief Executive Officer of an operating subsidiary, Dynatech International LLC (2013-2019)

· Rossoff & Co., an independent investment banking firm, Senior Advisor (2013-June 2021)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· Movado Group, Inc., a public company that designs, sources, markets and distributes watches, Director (1997-Present)

· Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., a public company that provides contract drilling services, Director (March 2020-April 2021)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 18

———————

Robin A. Melvin (57)

Board Member (2006)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Westover School, a private girls’ boarding school in Middlebury, Connecticut, Trustee (2019-Present)

· Mentor Illinois, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the quality of mentoring services in Illinois. Co-Chair (2014–2020); Board Member, Mentor Illinois (2013-2020)

· JDRF, a non-profit juvenile diabetes research foundation, Board Member (June 2021-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· HPS Corporate Lending Fund, a closed-end management investment company regulated as a business development company, Trustee (August 2021-Present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 76

———————

Burton N. Wallack (70)

Board Member (1991)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

Wallack Management Company, a real estate management company, President and Co-owner (1987-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

Mount Sinai Hospital Urology Board Member (2017-Present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 18

———————

47

 

BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS (continued)

Benaree Pratt Wiley (75)

Board Member (2006)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· The Wiley Group, a firm specializing in strategy and business development. Principal (2005-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· CBIZ, Inc., a public company providing professional business services, products and solutions, Director (2008-Present)

· Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Director (2004-2020)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 62

———————

Once elected all Board Members serve for an indefinite term, but achieve Emeritus status upon reaching age 80. The address of the Board Members and Officers is c/o BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286. Additional information about the Board Members is available in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information which can be obtained from the Adviser free of charge by calling this toll free number: 1-800-373-9387.

Hodding Carter III, Emeritus Board Member
Gordon J. Davis, Emeritus Board Member
Ehud Houminer, Emeritus Board Member
Hans C. Mautner, Emeritus Board Member

48

 

OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited)

DAVID DIPETRILLO, President since January 2021.

Vice President and Director of the Adviser since February 2021, Head of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since January 2018, Director of Product Strategy, BNY Mellon Investment Management from January 2016 to December 2017; He is an officer of 56 investment companies (comprised of 106 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 43 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since 2005.

JAMES WINDELS, Treasurer since November 2001.

Vice President of the Adviser since September 2020, Director-BNY Mellon Fund Administration, and an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 128 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 62 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since April 1985.

PETER M. SULLIVAN, Chief Legal Officer since July 2021 and Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2019.

Chief Legal Officer of the Adviser since July 2021, Associate General Counsel of BNY Mellon since July 2021; Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from December 2020 to July 2021; Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from March 2009 to December 2020, and an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 128 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 53 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since April 2004.

JAMES BITETTO, Vice President since August 2005 and Secretary since February 2018.

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2019; Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from April 2014 to December 2019; Secretary of the Adviser, and an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 128 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 55 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since December 1996.

DEIRDRE CUNNANE, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2019.

Counsel of BNY Mellon since August 2018; Senior Regulatory Specialist at BNY Mellon Investment Management Services from February 2016 to August 2018. She is an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 128 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 31 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since August 2018.

SARAH S. KELLEHER, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since April 2014.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2017, Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon from March 2013 to December 2017. She is an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 128 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 45 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since March 2013.

JEFF PRUSNOFSKY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005.

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 128 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since October 1990.

AMANDA QUINN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2020.

Counsel of BNY Mellon since June 2019; Regulatory Administration Manager at BNY Mellon Investment Management Services from September 2018 to May 2019; Senior Regulatory Specialist at BNY Mellon Investment Management Services from April 2015 to August 2018. She is an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 128 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 36 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since June 2019.

49

 

OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited) (continued)

NATALYA ZELENSKY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2017.

Chief Compliance Officer (since August 2021) and Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since February 2020) of BNY Mellon ETF Investment Adviser, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer (since August 2021) and Vice President (since February 2020) of BNY Mellon ETF Trust; Managing Counsel (December 2019 to August 2021) and Counsel (May 2016 to December 2019) of BNY Mellon; Assistant Secretary of the Adviser from April 2018 to August 2021. She is an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 128 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 36 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since May 2016.

GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005.

Tax Manager-BNY Mellon Fund Administration, and an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 128 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 53 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since April 1991.

ROBERT SALVIOLO, Assistant Treasurer since July 2007.

Senior Accounting Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration, and an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 128 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 54 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since December 2002.

Senior Accounting Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration, and an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 128 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 54 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since November 1990.

JOSEPH W. CONNOLLY, Chief Compliance Officer since October 2004.

Chief Compliance Officer of the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust since 2004, CCO of the Adviser from 2004 until June 2021 (56 investment companies, comprised of 119 portfolios). He is 64 years old and has served in various capacities with the Adviser since 1980, including manager of the firm’s Fund Accounting Department from 1997 through October 2001.

CARIDAD M. CAROSELLA, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since January 2016.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust. She is an officer of 50 investment companies (comprised of 121 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 53 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since 1997.

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53

 

For More Information

BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Adviser

BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Sub-Adviser

Insight North America, LLC
200 Park Avenue, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10166

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Transfer Agent &
Dividend Disbursing Agent

BNY Mellon Transfer, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Distributor

BNY Mellon Securities Corporation

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

  

Ticker Symbol:

DRTAX

Telephone Call your financial representative or 1-800-373-9387

Mail The BNY Mellon Family of Funds, 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11556-0144

E-mail Send your request to info@bnymellon.com

Internet Information can be viewed online or downloaded at www.im.bnymellon.com

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

A description of the policies and procedures that the fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the fund voted these proxies for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available at www.im.bnymellon.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-373-9387.

  

© 2021 BNY Mellon Securities Corporation
0054AR0821

 

 
 

 

 

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. There have been no amendments to, or waivers in connection with, the Code of Ethics during the period covered by this Report.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The Registrant's Board has determined that Alan Howard, a member of the Audit Committee of the Board, is an audit committee financial expert as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Mr. Howard is "independent" as defined by the SEC for purposes of audit committee financial expert determinations.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years (the "Reporting Periods") for professional services rendered by the Registrant's principal accountant (the "Auditor") for the audit of the Registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $35,495 in 2020 and $35,494 in 2021.

 

(b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item 4 were $10,494 in 2020 and $10,583 in 2021. These services consisted of one or more of the following: (i) agreed upon procedures related to compliance with Internal Revenue Code section 817(h), (ii) security counts required by Rule 17f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (iii) advisory services as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of Registrant transactions or events and (iv) advisory services to the accounting or disclosure treatment of the actual or potential impact to the Registrant of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Accounting Standards Boards or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies.

 

The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for non-audit assurance and related services by the Auditor to the Registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-investment adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant ("Service Affiliates"), that were reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit of the Service Affiliate, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee were $0 in 2020 and $0 in 2021.

 

(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning ("Tax Services") were $2,590 in 2020 and $4,704 in 2021. These services consisted of: (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments; (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held, and (iv) determination of Passive Foreign

 
 

Investment Companies. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for Tax Services by the Auditor to Service Affiliates, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee were $0 in 2020 and $0 in 2021.

 

(d) All Other Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item, $0 in 2020 and $4,182 in 2021. These services consisted of a review of the Registrant's anti-money laundering program.

 

The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for Non-Audit Services by the Auditor to Service Affiliates, other than the services reported in paragraphs (b) through (c) of this Item, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee, were $0 in 2020 and $0 in 2021.

 

(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. The Registrant's Audit Committee has established policies and procedures (the "Policy") for pre-approval (within specified fee limits) of the Auditor's engagements for non-audit services to the Registrant and Service Affiliates without specific case-by-case consideration. The pre-approved services in the Policy can include pre-approved audit services, pre-approved audit-related services, pre-approved tax services and pre-approved all other services. Pre-approval considerations include whether the proposed services are compatible with maintaining the Auditor's independence. Pre-approvals pursuant to the Policy are considered annually.

(e)(2) Note. None of the services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item 4 were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

(f) None of the hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement to audit the registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees.

Non-Audit Fees. The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to the Registrant, and rendered to Service Affiliates, for the Reporting Periods were $671,818 in 2020 and $2,692,122 in 2021.

 

Auditor Independence. The Registrant's Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates, which were not pre-approved (not requiring pre-approval), is compatible with maintaining the Auditor's independence.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

(a) Not applicable.

Item 7.Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 9.Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers.
 
 

       Not applicable.

Item 10.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no material changes to the procedures applicable to Item 10.

Item 11.Controls and Procedures.

(a)       The Registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers have concluded, based on their evaluation of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods and that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in the reports that it files or submits on Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b)       There were no changes to the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12.Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 13.Exhibits.

(a)(1) Code of ethics referred to in Item 2.

(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(a)(3) Not applicable.

(b)       Certification of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 
 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.

By: /s/ David DiPetrillo

         David DiPetrillo

         President (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: October 20, 2021

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By: /s/ David DiPetrillo

         David DiPetrillo

         President (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: October 20, 2021

 

By: /s/ James Windels

        James Windels

       Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

Date: October 20, 2021

 

 

 
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

(a)(1) Code of ethics referred to in Item 2.

(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. (EX-99.CERT)

(b)       Certification of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. (EX-99.906CERT)