N-CSR 1 lp1-064.htm ANNUAL REPORTS

 

 

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 811-04906
   
  BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds  
  (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)  
     
 

Bennett A. MacDougall, 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:

 

04/30  
Date of reporting period:

04/30/2021

 

 

 

 
             

 

 
 

FORM N-CSR

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Connecticut Fund

 

ANNUAL REPORT

April 30, 2021

 

 

Save time. Save paper. View your next shareholder report online as soon as it’s available. Log into www.im.bnymellon.com and sign up for eCommunications. It’s simple and only takes a few minutes.

 

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

8

Comparing Your Fund’s Expenses
With Those of Other Funds

8

Statement of Investments

9

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

16

Statement of Operations

17

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

18

Financial Highlights

20

Notes to Financial Statements

25

Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

34

Important Tax Information

35

Board Members Information

36

Officers of the Fund

38

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)

For the period from May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021, as provided by Daniel Barton and Jeffrey Burger, Portfolio Managers

Market and Fund Performance Overview

For the 12-month period ended April 30, 2021, Class A shares of BNY Mellon Connecticut Fund, a series of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, produced a total return of 7.97%, Class C shares returned 7.10%, Class I shares returned 8.24%, Class Y shares returned 7.99% and Class Z shares returned 8.24%.1 In comparison, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”), the fund’s benchmark index, which is comprised of bonds issued nationally and not solely within Connecticut, achieved a total return of 7.75% for the same period.2

Municipal bonds benefited from support programs launched by the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The fund’s Class A, Class I, Class Y and Class Z shares outperformed the Index, mainly due to the strong returns of Connecticut issues and to an overweight position in lower-quality revenue bonds.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax and from Connecticut state income tax, without undue risk. To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in municipal bonds that provide income exempt from federal and Connecticut state income taxes. The fund invests at least 70% of its assets in municipal bonds rated, at the time of purchase, investment grade (i.e., Baa/BBB or higher) or the unrated equivalent as determined by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. For additional yield, the fund may invest up to 30% of its assets in municipal bonds rated below investment grade (“high yield” or “junk” bonds) or the unrated equivalent as determined by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. The dollar-weighted average maturity of the fund’s portfolio normally exceeds 10 years, but the fund may invest without regard to maturity.

The portfolio managers 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, and by 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.

Markets Recover as Economy Rebounds

The municipal bond market recovered from the unprecedented volatility that occurred in March and April 2020 as the COVID-19 virus spread, and government shutdowns caused the economy to slow dramatically. Prior to the reporting period, the Fed responded to the pandemic with two emergency cuts in the federal funds target rate in March 2020, bringing it to 0-0.25%.

The Fed also launched a $500 billion Municipal Liquidity Facility to purchase short-term municipal securities. This, combined with the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, dramatically changed investor sentiment, which helped the municipal bond market to quickly rebound.

With the market rebound in the second quarter of 2020, issuance also rebounded as issuers sought to take advantage of record-low funding costs. As in 2019, much of the new issuance was

2

 

in taxable bonds. Tax-exempt issuance may have been inhibited by the absence of advance refunding, which was eliminated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. In the past, advance refunding allowed issuers to replace higher-yielding, tax-exempt debt with lower-yielding, tax-exempt debt. Without advance refunding, some entities have taken advantage of low yields by issuing taxable debt instead of tax-exempt debt. New supply later in the reporting period was also driven by the desire of many issuers to secure financing ahead of the November 2020 election.

Early in the reporting period, less risky bonds benefited from the volatility. General obligation bonds outperformed revenue bonds, and AAA and AA rated bonds outperformed A and BBB rated bonds. In addition, the investment-grade market outperformed the high-yield market, and shorter-term issues performed better than longer issues.

As government-mandated lockdowns were eased, strong inflows to municipal bond funds late in 2020 bolstered the market. Approval of multiple COVID-19 vaccines and passage of a federal stimulus package also contributed further to demand. Although the stimulus package did not include direct relief for states and municipalities, the market took a favorable view of funding for hospitals and mass transit, among other segments, as well as for consumers and small businesses.

The results of the November 2020 election also added to demand. A Democrat-controlled Congress made federal support for state and local governments more likely. It also made personal income tax hikes more likely, 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 as well.

Investors were also encouraged by the fiscal health of municipal issuers, which turned out to be much stronger than expected. Tax revenues remained robust because real estate and income tax collections failed to decline as much as predicted. Progressive tax regimes proved advantageous because higher-earning, white-collar workers were largely unaffected by the pandemic. In addition, federal support to households, school systems, the transportation system and other segments bolstered the economy and prevented sales taxes from declining as much as originally feared.

Revenue bonds generally outperformed general obligation bonds late in the period as hard-hit market segments such as transportation and hospitals recovered when investors became more confident that the end of the pandemic was likely. Yield spreads of municipal bonds over Treasury bonds compressed late in the reporting period. This was due to both a rise in long-term Treasury yields and to a decline in long-term municipal bond yields. Although the municipal bond market experienced some turmoil late in the period as the prospects of a stronger economy and an increase in inflation have grown, most of the volatility occurred among longer maturities.

Late in the reporting period, the municipal bond market continued to perform well, driven by strong fundamentals and the passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which included $350 million in direct aid for state and local governments.. In addition, with the possibility of higher personal and corporate income tax rates likely, inflows to municipal bond mutual funds in 2021 have been strong.

States in weaker fiscal condition tended to outperform during the reporting period, and this benefited Connecticut bonds. But investors were also attracted by the steps taken to improve the state’s fiscal condition, which has helped fundamentals and resulted in a credit rating upgrade. The state’s “rainy day” fund, a key indicator of fiscal health, has reached $3.8 billion, a state record.

3

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited) (continued)

Connecticut Bonds Outperformed the Index

The fund’s relative performance versus the Index was driven by the returns of Connecticut bonds generally versus the Index. Yields on municipal bonds from Connecticut tend to be higher due to the state’s relatively weak fiscal condition, and weaker bonds rebounded strongly during the reporting period. In addition, the fund had an overweight position to revenue bonds, and this sector outperformed general obligation bonds. Within the revenue bond sector, the fund’s overweight positions to the hospital sector in particular were additive to returns. Positions in A rated and BBB rated bonds also made positive contributions.

On a less positive note, not all positions in the revenue sector contributed positively to returns. The fund’s overweight to education, and water and sewer bonds detracted from returns, as did the underweight position in transportation. Duration and curve positioning had a neutral effect on performance, and the fund did not employ derivatives during the period.

Cautiously Optimistic

The outlook for the municipal bond market has brightened, and the trend in credit quality has been positive. With the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, the reopening of the economy and continued fiscal stimulus, the economic outlook remains upbeat. We believe that Connecticut’s fundamentals will remain positive over the short term, though certain issues, including pension funding, bear watching over the long term.

Although rising interest rates present somewhat of a concern, municipal bonds have performed well relative to Treasuries in recent months as long-term rates have risen. In addition, with corporate and personal income tax rates likely to rise, we believe that municipal bonds should remain an attractive alternative, especially for higher-earning households.

May 17, 2021

1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid and does not take into consideration the maximum initial sales charge in the case of Class A shares, or the applicable contingent deferred sales charge imposed on redemptions in the case of Class C shares. Had these charges been reflected, returns would have been lower. Class I shares, Class Y shares and Class Z shares are not subject to any initial or deferred sales charge. 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 taxable. The fund’s return reflects the absorption of certain fund expenses by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. pursuant to an agreement in effect through September 1, 2021, at which time it may be extended, modified or terminated. Had these expenses not been absorbed, returns would have been lower.

2 Source: Lipper Inc. — The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Municipal Bond Index covers the U.S.-dollar-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.

The amount of public information available about municipal bonds is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds. Special factors, such as legislative changes, and state and local economic and business developments, may adversely affect the yield and/or value of the fund’s investments in municipal bonds. Other factors include the general conditions of the municipal bond market, the size of the particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. Changes in economic, business or political conditions relating to a particular municipal project, municipality or state in which the fund invests may have an impact on the fund’s share price.

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 Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I shares and Class Z shares of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Connecticut Fund with a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Bloomberg Barclays 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 Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I shares and Class Z shares of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Connecticut Fund on 4/30/11 to a hypothetical investment of $10,000 made in the Index on that date. All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

The fund’s performance shown in the line graph above takes into account the maximum initial sales charge on Class A shares and all other applicable fees and expenses on all classes. The Index is not limited to investments principally in Connecticut municipal obligations. The Index, unlike the fund, covers the U.S. dollar-denominated long-term tax-exempt bond market. These factors can contribute to the Index potentially outperforming or underperforming the fund. 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.

5

 

FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited) (continued)

Comparison of change in value of a $1,000,000 investment in Class Y shares of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Connecticut Fund with a hypothetical investment of $1,000,000 in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”)

 Source: Lipper Inc.

†† The total return figures presented for Class Y shares of the fund reflect the performance of the fund’s Class A shares for the period prior to 9/3/13 (the inception date for Class Y shares), not reflecting the applicable sales load for Class A shares.

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.

The above graph compares a hypothetical $1,000,000 investment made in Class Y shares of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Connecticut Fund on 4/30/11 to a hypothetical investment of $1,000,000 made in the Index on that date. All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

The fund’s performance shown in the line graph above takes into account all applicable fees and expenses of the fund’s Class Y shares. The Index is not limited to investments principally in Connecticut municipal obligations. The Index, unlike the fund, covers the U.S. dollar-denominated long-term tax-exempt bond market. These factors can contribute to the Index potentially outperforming or underperforming the fund. 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.

6

 

     

Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/2021

 

Inception
Date

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

Class A shares

    

with maximum sales charge (4.5%)

5/28/87

3.10%

1.51%

3.05%

without sales charge

5/28/87

7.97%

2.45%

3.52%

Class C shares

    

with applicable redemption charge

8/15/95

6.10%

1.65%

2.73%

without redemption

8/15/95

7.10%

1.65%

2.73%

Class I shares

12/15/08

8.24%

2.70%

3.79%

Class Y shares

9/3/13

7.99%

2.66%

3.70%††

Class Z shares

5/30/07

8.24%

2.68%

3.76%

Bloomberg Barclays U.S.
Municipal Bond Index

 

7.75%

3.51%

4.44%

 The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for Class C shares is 1% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

†† The total return performance figures presented for Class Y shares of the fund reflect the performance of the fund’s Class A shares for the period prior to 9/3/13 (the inception date for Class Y shares), not reflecting the applicable sales load for Class A shares.

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 graphs and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. In addition to the performance of Class A shares shown with and without a maximum sales charge, the fund’s performance shown in the table takes into account all other applicable fees and expenses on all classes.

7

 

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 State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Connecticut Fund from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 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 April 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class Y

Class Z

 

Expenses paid per $1,000

$4.37

$8.51

$3.16

$4.87

$3.47

 

Ending value (after expenses)

$1,023.60

$1,019.40

$1,024.90

$1,023.50

$1,025.70

 

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 April 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class Y

Class Z

 

Expenses paid per $1,000

$4.36

$8.50

$3.16

$4.86

$3.46

 

Ending value (after expenses)

$1,020.48

$1,016.36

$1,021.67

$1,019.98

$1,021.37

 

Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .87% for Class A, 1.70% for Class C, .63% for Class I, .97% for Class Y and .69% for Class Z, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

8

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

April 30, 2021

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 97.8%

     

Connecticut - 95.9%

     

Connecticut, GO, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

3/1/2026

 

5,000,000

 

5,643,308

 

Connecticut, GO, Ser. D

 

5.00

 

11/1/2031

 

2,500,000

 

2,555,937

 

Connecticut, GO, Ser. D

 

5.00

 

11/1/2028

 

5,000,000

 

5,115,137

 

Connecticut, GO, Ser. D

 

5.00

 

11/1/2027

 

3,500,000

 

3,580,948

 

Connecticut, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

5/1/2036

 

1,000,000

 

1,217,493

 

Connecticut, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

9/1/2035

 

5,000,000

 

5,711,683

 

Connecticut, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

8/1/2034

 

3,000,000

 

3,497,212

 

Connecticut Bradley International Airport, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

7/1/2049

 

2,500,000

 

3,037,200

 

Connecticut Clean Water Fund - State Revolving Fund, Revenue Bonds (Green Bond) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

2/1/2035

 

2,125,000

 

2,561,915

 

Connecticut Clean Water Fund - State Revolving Fund, Revenue Bonds (Green Bond) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

3/1/2029

 

2,600,000

 

3,046,935

 

Connecticut Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The Connecticut Light & Power Company Project) Ser. A

 

4.38

 

9/1/2028

 

3,900,000

 

3,943,103

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Church Home of Hartford Project) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

9/1/2046

 

1,000,000

a 

1,101,333

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Church Home of Hartford Project) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

9/1/2053

 

1,500,000

a 

1,646,568

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Fairfield University) Ser. Q1

 

5.00

 

7/1/2046

 

1,000,000

 

1,178,191

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Hartford HealthCare Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2045

 

2,500,000

 

2,841,682

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Hartford HealthCare Obligated Group) Ser. E

 

5.00

 

7/1/2027

 

3,265,000

 

3,699,593

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Mary Wade Home Obligated Group) Ser. A1

 

5.00

 

10/1/2054

 

2,000,000

a 

2,089,230

 

9

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 97.8% (continued)

     

Connecticut - 95.9% (continued)

     

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (The Stamford Hospital Obligated Group) Ser. K

 

4.00

 

7/1/2046

 

2,000,000

 

2,148,678

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

7/1/2025

 

1,490,000

 

1,500,735

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Connecticut College) Ser. L1

 

4.00

 

7/1/2046

 

2,000,000

 

2,218,256

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Fairfield University) Ser. R

 

5.00

 

7/1/2032

 

1,000,000

 

1,209,512

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Nuvance Health Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

7/1/2041

 

2,250,000

 

2,542,230

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Quinnipiac University) Ser. L

 

5.00

 

7/1/2045

 

3,000,000

 

3,398,066

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Quinnipiac University) Ser. L

 

5.00

 

7/1/2036

 

5,000,000

 

5,723,501

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Quinnipiac University) Ser. M

 

5.00

 

7/1/2036

 

200,000

 

234,999

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Sacred Heart University) Ser. I1

 

5.00

 

7/1/2042

 

2,000,000

 

2,385,149

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The Choate Rosemary Hall Foundation) Ser. F

 

4.00

 

7/1/2042

 

1,110,000

 

1,328,414

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The Greenwich Academy) (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. E

 

5.25

 

3/1/2032

 

6,880,000

 

9,088,628

 

10

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 97.8% (continued)

     

Connecticut - 95.9% (continued)

     

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The Loomis Institute) (Insured; American Municipal Bond Assurance Corp.) Ser. F

 

5.25

 

7/1/2028

 

1,760,000

 

2,212,406

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The Stamford Hospital Obligated Group) Ser. I

 

5.00

 

7/1/2030

 

6,750,000

 

6,801,466

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The Stamford Hospital Obligated Group) Ser. L1

 

4.00

 

7/1/2029

 

500,000

 

603,735

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The Stamford Hospital Obligated Group) Ser. L1

 

4.00

 

7/1/2030

 

865,000

 

1,054,379

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The University of Hartford)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2034

 

425,000

 

509,049

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Trinity College) Ser. R

 

4.00

 

6/1/2045

 

2,300,000

 

2,628,484

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Trinity Health Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

12/1/2045

 

7,500,000

 

8,956,978

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (University of New Haven)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2036

 

1,000,000

 

1,157,579

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Yale New Haven Health Obligated Group) Ser. E

 

5.00

 

7/1/2027

 

3,960,000

 

4,535,309

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

7/1/2040

 

500,000

 

572,165

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2027

 

750,000

 

934,378

 

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

12/1/2040

 

4,020,000

 

4,672,276

 

11

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 97.8% (continued)

     

Connecticut - 95.9% (continued)

     

Connecticut Higher Education Supplement Loan Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2022

 

1,400,000

 

1,498,180

 

Connecticut Higher Education Supplement Loan Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2021

 

1,450,000

 

1,486,264

 

Connecticut Higher Education Supplement Loan Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2023

 

1,400,000

 

1,554,071

 

Connecticut Higher Education Supplement Loan Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

3.25

 

11/15/2036

 

1,400,000

 

1,428,158

 

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A1

 

3.65

 

11/15/2032

 

4,185,000

 

4,555,850

 

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

 

3.25

 

5/15/2044

 

2,500,000

 

2,757,844

 

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

 

4.00

 

11/15/2047

 

3,165,000

 

3,442,052

 

Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2038

 

3,000,000

 

3,213,636

 

Connecticut Transmission Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2042

 

3,000,000

 

3,083,761

 

Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

8/15/2035

 

25,000

 

25,092

 

Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

8/15/2026

 

450,000

 

514,789

 

Harbor Point Infrastructure Improvement District, Tax Allocation Bonds, Refunding (Harbor Point Project)

 

5.00

 

4/1/2039

 

4,000,000

a 

4,602,919

 

New Haven, GO (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

8/1/2039

 

3,000,000

 

3,764,070

 

New Haven, GO, Refunding (Insured; Build America Mutual) Ser. B

 

5.00

 

8/15/2027

 

750,000

 

882,854

 

New Haven, GO, Refunding (Insured; Build America Mutual) Ser. B

 

5.00

 

8/15/2026

 

610,000

 

721,731

 

New Haven, GO, Ser. A

 

5.25

 

8/1/2027

 

1,740,000

 

2,146,111

 

12

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 97.8% (continued)

     

Connecticut - 95.9% (continued)

     

South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

8/1/2038

 

3,500,000

 

4,204,449

 

South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

8/1/2037

 

3,430,000

 

4,130,079

 

South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B1

 

5.00

 

8/1/2041

 

2,445,000

 

3,022,285

 

The Metropolitan District, GO, Refunding

 

5.00

 

7/15/2034

 

1,065,000

 

1,332,773

 

The Metropolitan District, GO, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

7/15/2035

 

1,275,000

 

1,529,244

 

The Metropolitan District, Revenue Bonds (Clean Water Project) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/1/2031

 

2,050,000

 

2,741,830

 

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

 

5.00

 

11/1/2042

 

2,000,000

 

2,262,800

 

The Metropolitan District, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

4/1/2022

 

1,510,000

b 

1,577,301

 

University of Connecticut, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.25

 

11/15/2047

 

4,000,000

 

4,985,930

 

Waterbury, GO, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

2/1/2045

 

5,000,000

 

5,819,269

 

Waterbury, GO, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2038

 

2,500,000

 

3,041,419

 
 

189,208,601

 

U.S. Related - 1.9%

     

Children's Trust Fund, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

0.00

 

5/15/2050

 

12,000,000

c 

1,875,436

 

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

 

5.25

 

7/1/2034

 

1,500,000

 

1,834,769

 
 

3,710,205

 

Total Investments (cost $181,440,189)

 

97.8%

192,918,806

 

Cash and Receivables (Net)

 

2.2%

4,317,690

 

Net Assets

 

100.0%

197,236,496

 

a 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 April 30, 2021, these securities were valued at $9,440,050 or 4.79% of net assets.

b 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.

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

13

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

  

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)

Value (%)

Education

22.9

General Obligation

18.3

Medical

14.1

Water

11.4

Transportation

6.2

Nursing Homes

4.8

Single Family Housing

3.7

General

3.1

Student Loan

3.0

Development

2.0

Multifamily Housing

1.8

Power

1.6

Utilities

1.6

Airport

1.5

Tobacco Settlement

1.0

Prerefunded

.8

Pollution

.0

 

97.8

 Based on net assets.

See notes to financial statements.

14

 

    
 

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

CIFG

CDC Ixis Financial Guaranty

COP

Certificate of Participation

CP

Commercial Paper

DRIVERS

Derivative Inverse Tax-Exempt Receipts

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.

15

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

April 30, 2021

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Value

 

Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments

181,440,189

 

192,918,806

 

Cash

 

 

 

 

3,251,387

 

Interest receivable

 

2,462,751

 

Receivable for shares of Beneficial Interest subscribed

 

116,868

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

 

 

38,049

 

 

 

 

 

 

198,787,861

 

Liabilities ($):

 

 

 

 

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

 

125,737

 

Payable for investment securities purchased

 

1,217,250

 

Payable for shares of Beneficial Interest redeemed

 

136,562

 

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

 

1,041

 

Other accrued expenses

 

 

 

 

70,775

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,551,365

 

Net Assets ($)

 

 

197,236,496

 

Composition of Net Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

186,248,401

 

Total distributable earnings (loss)

 

 

 

 

10,988,095

 

Net Assets ($)

 

 

197,236,496

 

       

Net Asset Value Per Share

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class Y

Class Z

 

Net Assets ($)

108,582,418

1,715,384

17,534,009

10,519

69,394,166

 

Shares Outstanding

8,997,229

142,336

1,452,788

871.84

5,751,098

 

Net Asset Value Per Share ($)

12.07

12.05

12.07

12.07

12.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended April 30, 2021

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income ($):

 

 

 

 

Interest Income

 

 

6,166,258

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

Management fee—Note 3(a)

 

 

1,095,427

 

Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(c)

 

 

388,932

 

Professional fees

 

 

112,569

 

Registration fees

 

 

60,544

 

Distribution fees—Note 3(b)

 

 

16,504

 

Chief Compliance Officer fees—Note 3(c)

 

 

15,021

 

Trustees’ fees and expenses—Note 3(d)

 

 

14,839

 

Prospectus and shareholders’ reports

 

 

14,568

 

Loan commitment fees—Note 2

 

 

7,157

 

Custodian fees—Note 3(c)

 

 

4,157

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

24,645

 

Total Expenses

 

 

1,754,363

 

Less—reduction in expenses due to undertaking—Note 3(a)

 

 

(199,168)

 

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

 

 

(4,157)

 

Net Expenses

 

 

1,551,038

 

Investment Income—Net

 

 

4,615,220

 

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

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

773,285

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

10,053,107

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

 

 

10,826,392

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

15,441,612

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

     

17

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

          

 

 

 

 

Year Ended April 30,

 

 

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

Operations ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income—net

 

 

4,615,220

 

 

 

5,047,696

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

 

773,285

 

 

 

819,710

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on investments

 

10,053,107

 

 

 

(4,116,469)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations

15,441,612

 

 

 

1,750,937

 

Distributions ($):

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

(2,475,577)

 

 

 

(2,756,646)

 

Class C

 

 

(31,221)

 

 

 

(52,791)

 

Class I

 

 

(379,429)

 

 

 

(333,260)

 

Class Y

 

 

(251)

 

 

 

(10,113)

 

Class Z

 

 

(1,737,040)

 

 

 

(1,873,307)

 

Total Distributions

 

 

(4,623,518)

 

 

 

(5,026,117)

 

Beneficial Interest Transactions ($):

 

Net proceeds from shares sold:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

2,746,393

 

 

 

3,333,309

 

Class C

 

 

53,837

 

 

 

434,976

 

Class I

 

 

5,618,812

 

 

 

7,433,579

 

Class Y

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

-

 

Class Z

 

 

1,309,737

 

 

 

1,384,129

 

Distributions reinvested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

2,007,759

 

 

 

2,195,474

 

Class C

 

 

27,595

 

 

 

40,309

 

Class I

 

 

374,940

 

 

 

325,794

 

Class Z

 

 

1,308,453

 

 

 

1,402,137

 

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

(12,746,831)

 

 

 

(11,254,858)

 

Class C

 

 

(1,296,989)

 

 

 

(1,369,612)

 

Class I

 

 

(2,781,970)

 

 

 

(3,795,427)

 

Class Y

 

 

(370,210)

 

 

 

(5,000)

 

Class Z

 

 

(5,483,129)

 

 

 

(5,957,428)

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
from Beneficial Interest Transactions

(9,221,603)

 

 

 

(5,832,618)

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

1,596,491

 

 

 

(9,107,798)

 

Net Assets ($):

 

Beginning of Period

 

 

195,640,005

 

 

 

204,747,803

 

End of Period

 

 

197,236,496

 

 

 

195,640,005

 

18

 

          

 

 

 

 

Year Ended April 30,

 

 

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

Capital Share Transactions (Shares):

 

Class Aa,b

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

228,549

 

 

 

279,682

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

167,746

 

 

 

185,254

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(1,068,249)

 

 

 

(952,439)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(671,954)

 

 

 

(487,503)

 

Class Ca

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

4,550

 

 

 

36,686

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

2,310

 

 

 

3,407

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(108,465)

 

 

 

(115,940)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(101,605)

 

 

 

(75,847)

 

Class Ib

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

469,476

 

 

 

630,113

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

31,310

 

 

 

27,493

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(233,055)

 

 

 

(321,547)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

267,731

 

 

 

336,059

 

Class Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

872

 

 

 

-

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(32,276)

 

 

 

(426)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(31,404)

 

 

 

(426)

 

Class Z

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

109,346

 

 

 

116,131

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

109,340

 

 

 

118,328

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(458,044)

 

 

 

(501,637)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(239,358)

 

 

 

(267,178)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a

During the period ended April 30, 2021, 6,458 Class C shares representing $78,222 were automatically converted to 6,454 Class A shares.

 

b

During the period ended April 30, 2021, 32,875 Class A shares representing $390,264 were exchanged for 32,908 Class I shares.

 

See notes to financial statements.

        

19

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following tables describe the performance for each share class for the fiscal periods indicated. All information (except portfolio turnover rate) reflects financial results for a single fund share. 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 April 30,

Class A Shares

 

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Per Share Data ($):

      

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

11.43

11.62

11.35

11.68

12.10

Investment Operations:

      

Investment incomeneta

 

.27

.28

.29

.30

.32

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

 

.64

(.19)

.27

(.32)

(.42)

Total from Investment Operations

 

.91

.09

.56

(.02)

(.10)

Distributions:

      

Dividends from investment
incomenet

 

(.27)

(.28)

(.29)

(.31)

(.32)

Net asset value, end of period

 

12.07

11.43

11.62

11.35

11.68

Total Return (%)b

 

7.97

.71

4.98

(.24)

(.87)

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

 

.97

.95

.95

.94

.93

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

 

.87

.89

.95

.94

.93

Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets

 

2.22

2.37

2.53

2.61

2.66

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

6.37

19.22

4.84

10.71

9.93

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

 

108,582

110,498

118,062

127,921

145,523

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Exclusive of sales charge.

See notes to financial statements.

20

 

       
  
 

Year Ended April 30,

Class C Shares

 

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Per Share Data ($):

      

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

11.41

11.61

11.33

11.66

12.08

Investment Operations:

      

Investment income—neta

 

.17

.19

.20

.21

.23

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

 

.64

(.20)

.28

(.33)

(.43)

Total from Investment Operations

 

.81

(.01)

.48

(.12)

(.20)

Distributions:

      

Dividends from investment
income—net

 

(.17)

(.19)

(.20)

(.21)

(.22)

Net asset value, end of period

 

12.05

11.41

11.61

11.33

11.66

Total Return (%)b

 

7.10

(.17)

4.23

(1.02)

(1.63)

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

     

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

 

1.78

1.76

1.75

1.71

1.69

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

 

1.68

1.69

1.75

1.70

1.69

Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets

 

1.42

1.58

1.72

1.82

1.89

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

6.37

19.22

4.84

10.71

9.93

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

 

1,715

2,784

3,712

4,507

10,653

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Exclusive of sales charge.

See notes to financial statements.

21

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

       
  
 

Year Ended April 30,

Class I Shares

 

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Per Share Data ($):

      

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

11.43

11.62

11.35

11.68

12.10

Investment Operations:

      

Investment income—neta

 

.29

.31

.31

.33

.34

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

 

.65

(.19)

.27

(.33)

(.42)

Total from Investment Operations

 

.94

.12

.58

.00b

(.08)

Distributions:

      

Dividends from investment
income—net

 

(.30)

(.31)

(.31)

(.33)

(.34)

Net asset value, end of period

 

12.07

11.43

11.62

11.35

11.68

Total Return (%)

 

8.24

.97

5.22

.00c

(.64)

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

 

.72

.71

.72

.70

.69

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

 

.62

.64

.72

.70

.69

Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets

 

2.46

2.62

2.76

2.84

2.90

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

6.37

19.22

4.84

10.71

9.93

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

 

17,534

13,544

9,869

9,629

12,555

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Amount represents less than $.01 per share.

c Amount represents less than .01% per share.

See notes to financial statements.

22

 

       
  
 

Year Ended April 30,

Class Y Shares

 

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Per Share Data ($):

      

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

11.42

11.62

11.35

11.68

12.10

Investment Operations:

      

Investment income—neta

 

.30

.31

.32

.34

.34

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

 

.61

(.20)

.27

(.33)

(.41)

Total from Investment Operations

 

.91

.11

.59

.01

(.07)

Distributions:

      

Dividends from investment
income—net

 

(.26)

(.31)

(.32)

(.34)

(.35)

Net asset value, end of period

 

12.07

11.42

11.62

11.35

11.68

Total Return (%)

 

7.99

.91

5.26

.03

(.60)

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

      

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

 

.98

.68

.68

.66

.65

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

 

.88

.61

.68

.66

.65

Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets

 

2.21

2.65

2.79

2.87

2.93

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

6.37

19.22

4.84

10.71

9.93

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

 

11

369

380

437

813

a Based on average shares outstanding.

See notes to financial statements.

23

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

       
  
 

Year Ended April 30,

Class Z Shares

 

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Per Share Data ($):

      

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

11.43

11.62

11.35

11.68

12.10

Investment Operations:

      

Investment income—neta

 

.29

.31

.31

.33

.34

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

 

.65

(.19)

.27

(.33)

(.42)

Total from Investment Operations

 

.94

.12

.58

.00b

(.08)

Distributions:

      

Dividends from investment
income—net

 

(.30)

(.31)

(.31)

(.33)

(.34)

Net asset value, end of period

 

12.07

11.43

11.62

11.35

11.68

Total Return (%)

 

8.24

.94

5.21

.07

(.74)

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

     

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

 

.75

.73

.75

.70

.71

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

 

.65

.67

.75

.70

.71

Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets

 

2.47

2.59

2.74

2.83

2.88

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

6.37

19.22

4.84

10.71

9.93

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

 

69,394

68,446

72,725

78,274

86,696

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Amount represents less than $.01 per share.

See notes to financial statements.

24

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

BNY Mellon Connecticut Fund (the “fund”) is a separate non-diversified series of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds (the “Trust”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company and operates as a series company currently offering three series, including the fund. The fund’s investment objective is to seek to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax and from Connecticut state income tax, without undue risk. 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.

On February 10, 2021, BNY Mellon Investment Management announced its intention to realign several of its investment firms. As a result of this realignment, which is scheduled to occur, subject to regulatory requirements, in the third quarter of 2021 (the “Effective Date”), portfolio managers responsible for managing the fund’s investments who are employees of Mellon Investments Corporation (“Mellon”) in a dual employment arrangement with the Adviser, will become employees of Insight North America LLC (“INA”), which, like Mellon, is an affiliate of the Adviser, and will no longer be employees of Mellon. Consequently, effective as of the Effective Date and subject to the approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), the Adviser will engage INA to serve as the fund’s sub-adviser, pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and INA. As the fund’s sub-adviser, INA will provide the day-to-day management of the fund’s investments, subject to the Adviser’s supervision and approval. It is currently anticipated that the fund’s portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund’s investments will continue to manage the fund’s investments as of the Effective Date. It is also currently anticipated that 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 increase in the management fee payable by the fund as a result of the engagement of INA as the fund’s sub-adviser. The Adviser (and not the fund) will pay INA for its sub-advisory services.

BNY Mellon Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, is the distributor of the fund’s shares. The fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of $.001 par value shares of Beneficial Interest in each of the following classes of shares: Class A, Class C, Class I, Class Y and Class Z. Class A shares generally are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase. Class A shares bought without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or

25

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

more may be charged a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% if redeemed within one year. Class C shares are subject to a CDSC imposed on Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase. Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the date of purchase, without the imposition of a sales charge. Class I and Class Y shares are sold at net asset value per share generally to institutional investors. Class Z shares are sold at net asset value per share to certain shareholders of the fund. Class Z shares generally are not available for new accounts. Other differences between the classes include the services offered to and the expenses borne by each class, the allocation of certain transfer agency costs, and certain voting rights. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class), and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.

As of April 30, 2021, MBC Investments Corp., an indirect subsidiary of BNY Mellon, held 871.84 Class Y shares of the fund.

The Trust accounts separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each series. Expenses directly attributable to each series are charged to that series’ operations; expenses which are applicable to all series are allocated among them on a pro rata basis.

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 Trust 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 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.

26

 

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 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 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.

27

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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 April 30, 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:

  

Municipal Securities

-

192,918,806

 

-

192,918,806

 

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

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

The fund follows an investment policy of investing primarily in municipal obligations of one state. Economic changes affecting the state and certain of its public bodies and municipalities may affect the ability of issuers within the state to pay interest on, or repay principal of, municipal obligations held by the fund.

(c) Risk: Certain events particular to the industries in which the fund’s investments conduct their operations, as well as general economic, political

28

 

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.

As of and during the period ended April 30, 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 April 30, 2021, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

29

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Each tax year in the four-year period ended April 30, 2021 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

At April 30, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed tax-exempt income $414,087, accumulated capital losses $904,600 and unrealized appreciation $11,478,608.

The fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses for an unlimited period. Furthermore, capital loss carryovers retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses.

The accumulated capital loss carryover is available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future net realized capital gains, if any, realized subsequent to April 30, 2021. The fund has $904,600 of short-term capital losses which can be carried forward for an unlimited period.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal periods ended April 30, 2021 and April 30, 2020 were as follows: tax-exempt income $4,623,518 and $5,003,528, and ordinary income $0 and $22,589, respectively.

During the period ended April 30, 2021, as a result of permanent book to tax differences, primarily due to the tax treatment for amortization adjustments, the fund increased total distributable earnings (loss) by $414,087 and decreased paid-in capital by the same amount. Net assets and net asset value per share were not affected by this reclassification.

(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 London Interbank Offered Rate (“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.

30

 

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 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 April 30, 2021, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.

NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with the Adviser, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .55% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. The Adviser has contractually agreed, from May 1, 2020 through September 1, 2021, to waive receipt of a portion of its management fee, in the amount of .10% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets. On or after September 1, 2021, the Adviser may terminate this waiver agreement at any time. The reduction in expenses, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $199,168 during the period ended April 30, 2021.

During the period ended April 30, 2021, the Distributor retained $543 from commissions earned on sales of the fund’s Class A shares and $10 from CDSC fees on redemptions of the fund’s Class C shares.

(b) Under the Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, Class C shares pay the Distributor for distributing its shares at an annual rate of .75% of the value of its average daily net assets. During the period ended April 30, 2021, Class C shares were charged $16,504 pursuant to the Distribution Plan.

31

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(c) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class A and Class C shares pay the Distributor at an annual rate of .25% of the value of their average daily net assets for the provision of certain services. The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The Distributor may make payments to Service Agents (securities dealers, financial institutions or other industry professionals) with respect to these services. The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service Agents. During the period ended April 30, 2021, Class A and Class C shares were charged $278,171 and $5,501, respectively, pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class Z shares reimburse the Distributor at an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25% of the value of Class Z shares’ average daily net assets for the provision of certain services. The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding Class Z shares and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. During the period ended April 30, 2021, Class Z shares were charged $30,114 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

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 April 30, 2021, the fund was charged $37,564 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 April 30, 2021, the fund was charged $4,157

32

 

pursuant to the custody agreement. These fees were offset by earnings credits of $4,157.

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 April 30, 2021, the fund was charged $1,769 pursuant to the agreement, which is included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.

During the period ended April 30, 2021, the fund was charged $15,021 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 $88,979, Distribution Plan fees of $1,071, Shareholder Services Plan fees of $38,818, custodian fees of $1,370, Chief Compliance Officer fees of $5,242 and transfer agency fees of $6,436, which are offset against an expense reimbursement currently in effect in the amount of $16,179.

(d) 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.

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended April 30, 2021, amounted to $12,488,920 and $21,319,387, respectively.

At April 30, 2021, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $181,440,198; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $11,478,608, consisting of $11,694,006 gross unrealized appreciation and $215,398 gross unrealized depreciation.

33

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of BNY Mellon Connecticut Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of BNY Mellon Connecticut Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds), including the statement of investments, as of April 30, 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 (one of the funds constituting BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds) at April 30, 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 April 30, 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
June 24, 2021

34

 

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 April 30, 2021 as “exempt-interest dividends” (not subject to regular federal income tax, and for individuals who are Connecticut residents, Connecticut personal income taxes). 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.

35

 

BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)

INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS

Joseph S. DiMartino (77)

Chairman of the Board (1995)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Director or 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: 106

———————

Francine J. Bovich (69)

Board Member (2012)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Trustee, The Bradley Trusts, private trust funds (2011-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· Annaly Capital Management, Inc., a real estate investment trust, Director (2014-Present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 63

———————

Peggy C. Davis (78)

Board Member (1990)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Shad Professor of Law, New York University School of Law (1983-present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 38

———————

Nathan Leventhal (78)

Board Member (1989)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· President Emeritus of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (2001-Present)

· President of the Palm Beach Opera (2016-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· Movado Group, Inc., a public company that designs, markets and distributes watches, Director (2003-2020)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 42

———————

36

 

Robin A. Melvin (57)

Board Member (2012)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

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

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

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 85

———————

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 Member 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.

Clifford L. Alexander, Jr., Emeritus Board Member
Diane Dunst, Emeritus Board Member
Ernest Kafka, Emeritus Board Member

37

 

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 61 investment companies (comprised of 114 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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.

BENNETT A. MACDOUGALL, Chief Legal Officer since October 2015.

Chief Legal Officer of the Adviser and Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of BNY Mellon. He is an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 49 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since June 2015.

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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 30 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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.

PETER M. SULLIVAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2019.

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2020; Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from March 2009 to December 2020, and an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the the Adviser or an affiliate of the the Adviser. He is 53 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since April 2004.

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

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2019; Counsel of BNY Mellon from May 2016 to December 2019; Assistant Secretary of the Adviser since 2018; Attorney at Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund/Wildermuth Advisory, LLC from November 2015 to May 2016. She is an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 35 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since May 2016.

38

 

GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005.

Tax Manager-BNY Mellon Fund Administration, and an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 52 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since August 2005.

Senior Accounting Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration, and an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 Adviser, the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust (61 investment companies, comprised of 129 portfolios). He is 63 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 55 investment companies (comprised of 130 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since 1997.

39

 

This page intentionally left blank.

40

 

This page intentionally left blank.

41

 

For More Information

BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Connecticut Fund

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Adviser

BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

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 Symbols:

Class A: PSCTX      Class C: PMCCX      Class I: DTCIX      Class Y: DPMYX      Class Z: DPMZX

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
0064AR0421

 

BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Massachusetts Fund

 

ANNUAL REPORT

April 30, 2021

 

 

Save time. Save paper. View your next shareholder report online as soon as it’s available. Log into www.im.bnymellon.com and sign up for eCommunications. It’s simple and only takes a few minutes.

 

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

7

Comparing Your Fund’s Expenses
With Those of Other Funds

7

Statement of Investments

8

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

15

Statement of Operations

16

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

17

Financial Highlights

18

Notes to Financial Statements

21

Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

30

Important Tax Information

31

Board Members Information

32

Officers of the Fund

34

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)

For the period from May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021, as provided by Daniel Rabasco and Thomas Casey, Portfolio Managers

Market and Fund Performance Overview

For the 12-month period ended April 30, 2021, Class A shares of BNY Mellon Massachusetts Fund, a series of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, produced a total return of 8.25%, Class C shares returned 5.08% and Class Z shares returned 8.54%.1 In comparison, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”), the fund’s benchmark index, which is comprised of bonds issued nationally and not solely within Massachusetts, achieved a total return of 7.75% for the same period.2

Municipal bonds posted strong returns during the reporting period as the market recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund’s Class A shares and Z shares outperformed the Index, due to the fund’s slightly longer duration versus the Index, yield-curve positioning, sector allocations and security selections.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax and from Massachusetts state income tax, without undue risk. To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in municipal bonds that provide income exempt from federal and Massachusetts state income taxes. The fund invests at least 70% of its assets in municipal bonds rated, at the time of purchase, investment grade (i.e., Baa/BBB or higher) or the unrated equivalent as determined by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. For additional yield, the fund may invest up to 30% of its assets in municipal bonds rated below investment grade (“high yield” or “junk” bonds) or the unrated equivalent as determined by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. The dollar-weighted average maturity of the fund’s portfolio normally exceeds 10 years, but the fund may invest without regard to maturity.

The portfolio managers 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. The portfolio managers 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.

Policy Support and Economic Recovery Aid Market

The municipal bond market continued to recover from unprecedented volatility that occurred earlier in 2020, when the COVID-19 virus spread, and government shutdowns caused the economy to slow dramatically. In response to the pandemic, the Federal Reserve made two emergency interest-rate cuts in March 2020 and launched a $500 billion Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF) to purchase short-term municipal securities. This, combined with the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, dramatically changed investor sentiment, which helped the municipal bond market to bounce back relatively quickly.

2

 

While new issuance dried up during the height of the crisis in the first quarter of 2020, it rebounded along with bond prices, as issuers sought to take advantage of record-low funding costs. Much of the new issuance was in taxable bonds, as low yields have made taxable issuance attractive to issuers. New issuance also increased because state and local governments sought to avoid the uncertainty associated with the election. The flood of new issues produced a somewhat negative effect on performance, as it created a glut of supply. While lower-risk bonds outperformed during the height of the crisis, lower-quality bonds rebounded strongly once monetary and fiscal policy measures were put in place.

Approval of multiple COVID-19 vaccines and passage of a federal stimulus package later in the reporting period contributed further to demand. Although the stimulus package did not include direct relief for states and municipalities, the market took a favorable view of funding for hospitals and mass transit, among other segments, as well as for consumers and small businesses.

The results of the November 2020 election also provided support. A Democrat-controlled Congress made federal relief for state and local governments more likely. It also made income tax hikes more likely, 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 as well, and relatively high interest rates also attracted foreign investors.

Investors were also encouraged by the fiscal health of municipal issuers, which turned out to be much stronger than expected. Tax revenues remained robust because real estate and income tax collections failed to decline as much as predicted. Progressive tax regimes proved advantageous because higher-earning, white-collar workers were largely unaffected by the pandemic. In addition, federal support to households, school systems, the transportation system and other segments bolstered the economy and prevented sales taxes from declining as much as originally feared.

Revenue bonds generally outperformed general obligation bonds late in the period as hard-hit market segments such as transportation and hospitals recovered when investors became more confident that the end of the pandemic was likely. Yield spreads of municipal bonds over Treasury bonds compressed late in the reporting period. This was due to both a rise in long-term Treasury yields and to a decline in long-term municipal bond yields.

Demand for municipal bonds has benefited from strong fundamentals due in part to a $350 billion relief package from the federal government. As a result, inflows to municipal bond mutual funds in 2021 have been the strongest on record.

Despite the pandemic, Massachusetts has maintained a fairly solid fiscal condition. Given the dependence of the state economy on education and health care, many expected Massachusetts’s fiscal health to deteriorate, but tax revenues have exceeded expectations, and the “rainy day” fund has also helped fiscal conditions.

Duration, Yield Curve Positioning, Asset Allocation and Security Selection Bolstered Fund Results

A number of factors drove the fund’s relative performance. A slightly longer duration versus the Index contributed positively to returns, as did its yield-curve positioning. Bonds in the 15 to 20-year portion of the curve performed especially well. In addition, the fund’s overweight to revenue bonds was beneficial, with positions in the health care/hospital, education sectors

3

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited) (continued)

being especially advantageous. Security selections were also beneficial, and positions in the credits of Boston University and the UMass Memorial Health were particularly advantageous. In the senior living sector, the credits of Linden Pond and Newbridge on the Charles were beneficial.

On a less positive note, the fund’s relative performance was hindered by its exposure to the state’s general obligation bonds and credits in the transportation sector. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority was a leading detractor as revenues were reduced due to the pandemic. The fund did not use derivatives during the reporting period.

A Positive Outlook

The outlook for the regional economy remains positive. With the pandemic easing and fiscal support coming from the federal government, economic activity and tax revenues should remain healthy. Democrat control of Congress could also be more supportive of the municipal market as the coming year could see an increase in environmental and infrastructure spending at the federal level, which could be a boon. Although a federal hike in tax rates for higher-income households is possible, this would likely benefit the municipal bond market. The cap on the deductibility of state and local taxes may also remain, which could also spur demand for municipal bonds.

May 17, 2021

1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid and does not take into consideration the maximum initial sales charge in the case of Class A shares or the applicable contingent deferred sales charge imposed on redemptions in the case of Class C shares. Had these charges been reflected, returns would have been lower. Class Z shares is not subject to any initial or deferred sales charge. 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 taxable.

2 Source: Lipper Inc. — The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Municipal Bond Index covers the U.S. dollar-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.

Municipal income may be subject to state and local taxes. Some income may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax for certain investors. Capital gains, if any, are taxable. The amount of public information available about municipal securities is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds. Legislative changes, state and local economic and business developments, may adversely affect the yield and/or value of municipal securities. Other factors include the general conditions of the municipal securities market, the size of the particular offering, maturity of the obligation, and the rating of the issue.

The amount of public information available about municipal bonds is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds. Special factors, such as legislative changes, and state and local economic and business developments, may adversely affect the yield and/or value of the fund’s investments in municipal bonds. Other factors include the general conditions of the municipal bond market, the size of the particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. Changes in economic, business or political conditions relating to a particular municipal project, municipality or state in which the fund invests may have an impact on the fund’s share price.

References to specific securities, asset classes and financial markets are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be and should not be interpreted as recommendations.

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 $10,000 investment in Class A shares, Class C shares and Class Z shares of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Massachusetts Fund with a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Bloomberg Barclays 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 each of the Class A shares, Class C shares and Class Z shares of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Massachusetts Fund on 4/30/11 to a hypothetical investment of $10,000 made in the Index on that date. All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

The fund’s performance shown in the line graph above takes into account the maximum initial sales charge on Class A shares and all other applicable fees and expenses on all classes. The Index is not limited to investments principally in Massachusetts municipal obligations. The Index, unlike the fund, covers the U.S. dollar-denominated long-term tax-exempt bond market. These factors can contribute to the Index potentially outperforming or underperforming the fund. 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.

5

 

FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited) (continued)

      

Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/2021

 

 

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

 

Class A shares

     

with maximum sales charge (4.5%)

 

3.40%

1.54%

3.14%

 

without sales charge

 

8.25%

2.47%

3.61%

 

Class C shares

     

with applicable redemption charge

 

4.08%

1.12%

2.53%

 

without redemption

 

5.08%

1.12%

2.53%

 

Class Z shares

 

8.54%

2.72%

3.84%

 

Bloomberg Barclays U.S.
Municipal Bond Index

 

7.75%

3.51%

4.44%

 

 The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for Class C shares is 1% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

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. In addition to the performance of Class A shares shown with and without a maximum sales charge, the fund’s performance shown in the table takes into account all other applicable fees and expenses on all classes.

6

 

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 State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Massachusetts Fund from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 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 April 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

Class C

Class Z

 

Expenses paid per $1,000

$5.22

$17.42

$4.02

 

Ending value (after expenses)

$1,025.50

$1,007.20

$1,026.80

 

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 April 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

Class C

Class Z

 

Expenses paid per $1,000

$5.21

$17.42

$4.01

 

Ending value (after expenses)

$1,019.64

$1,007.44

$1,020.83

 

Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.04% for Class A, 3.50% for Class C and .80% for Class Z, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

7

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

April 30, 2021

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8%

     

Massachusetts - 97.2%

     

Collegiate Charter School of Lowell, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

6/15/2039

 

1,000,000

 

1,104,115

 

Martha's Vineyard Land Bank, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Green Bond) (Insured; Build America Mutual)

 

5.00

 

5/1/2033

 

500,000

 

611,319

 

Massachusetts, GO, Refunding (Insured; American Municipal Bond Assurance Corp.) Ser. A

 

5.50

 

8/1/2030

 

1,750,000

 

2,409,602

 

Massachusetts, GO, Refunding, Ser. A, 3 Month LIBOR x.67 +.55%

 

0.69

 

11/1/2025

 

5,000,000

a 

5,034,789

 

Massachusetts, GO, Refunding, Ser. C

 

5.00

 

5/1/2030

 

2,500,000

 

3,348,151

 

Massachusetts, GO, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

4/1/2047

 

3,250,000

 

3,986,447

 

Massachusetts, GO, Ser. C

 

3.00

 

3/1/2047

 

1,350,000

 

1,443,452

 

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.) Ser. B

 

5.50

 

7/1/2027

 

2,000,000

 

2,587,584

 

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2040

 

2,000,000

 

2,340,815

 

Massachusetts Clean Energy Cooperative Corp., Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

7/1/2024

 

2,580,000

 

2,836,613

 

Massachusetts College Building Authority, Revenue Bonds (Insured; National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.) Ser. A

 

0.00

 

5/1/2026

 

5,385,000

b 

5,174,608

 

Massachusetts College Building Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Corp.) Ser. B

 

5.50

 

5/1/2028

 

1,450,000

 

1,791,165

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds (Baystate Medical Center Obligated Group) Ser. N

 

5.00

 

7/1/2034

 

1,475,000

 

1,659,489

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds (Caregroup) Ser. J1

 

4.00

 

7/1/2046

 

500,000

 

585,634

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds (Caregroup) Ser. J1

 

5.00

 

7/1/2043

 

1,295,000

 

1,571,930

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Obligated Group) Ser. N

 

5.00

 

12/1/2041

 

1,000,000

 

1,186,299

 

8

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8% (continued)

     

Massachusetts - 97.2% (continued)

     

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Obligated Group) Ser. N

 

5.00

 

12/1/2046

 

2,000,000

 

2,357,570

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds (Linden Ponds Obligated Group)

 

5.13

 

11/15/2046

 

1,500,000

c 

1,647,076

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds (North Hill Communities Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

6.50

 

11/15/2023

 

2,000,000

c,d 

2,317,884

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds (Seven Hills Foundation & Affiliates Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

9/1/2045

 

1,500,000

 

1,653,419

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds (The Children's Hospital Corp. Obligated Group) Ser. P

 

5.00

 

10/1/2033

 

4,000,000

 

4,542,062

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds (Trustees of Boston University) Ser. BB1

 

4.00

 

10/1/2046

 

2,000,000

 

2,241,152

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

 

5.00

 

9/1/2049

 

1,500,000

 

1,828,028

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Atrius Health Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

6/1/2049

 

1,500,000

 

1,690,865

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Beth Israel Lahey Clinic Obligated Group) Ser. F

 

5.00

 

8/15/2040

 

2,000,000

 

2,329,469

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Beth Israel Lahey Health Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2032

 

500,000

 

638,614

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Boston Medical Center Corp. Obligated Group) Ser. E

 

5.00

 

7/1/2037

 

1,000,000

 

1,165,688

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Brandeis University) Ser. S1

 

5.00

 

10/1/2035

 

1,000,000

 

1,261,477

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Caregroup) Ser. H1

 

5.00

 

7/1/2033

 

500,000

 

582,815

 

9

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8% (continued)

     

Massachusetts - 97.2% (continued)

     

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Caregroup) Ser. I

 

5.00

 

7/1/2037

 

1,500,000

 

1,787,832

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (College of the Holy Cross Trustees) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

9/1/2041

 

800,000

 

959,349

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (NewBridge Charles Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

10/1/2057

 

1,500,000

c 

1,638,216

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (NewBridge Charles Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

10/1/2047

 

1,000,000

c 

1,093,639

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Northeastern University) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/1/2035

 

1,000,000

 

1,311,818

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Orchard Cove Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

10/1/2049

 

700,000

 

784,772

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Partners Healthcare System)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2047

 

1,500,000

 

1,795,140

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (South Shore Hospital Obligated Group) Ser. I

 

5.00

 

7/1/2041

 

1,000,000

 

1,161,310

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Suffolk University Project)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2036

 

450,000

 

562,866

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Suffolk University)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2036

 

755,000

 

905,208

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Suffolk University)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2035

 

1,000,000

 

1,201,669

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Suffolk University) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

7/1/2045

 

1,250,000

 

1,445,531

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The Broad Institute)

 

5.00

 

4/1/2037

 

1,000,000

 

1,230,420

 

10

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8% (continued)

     

Massachusetts - 97.2% (continued)

     

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Trustees of Boston College) Ser. T

 

5.00

 

7/1/2042

 

1,000,000

 

1,218,050

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Umass Memorial Health Care Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2031

 

1,000,000

 

1,214,689

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Umass Memorial Health Care Obligated Group) Ser. H

 

5.50

 

7/1/2031

 

25,000

 

25,198

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Umass Memorial Health Care Obligated Group) Ser. I

 

5.00

 

7/1/2046

 

1,000,000

 

1,185,857

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (WGBH Educational Foundation)

 

5.00

 

1/1/2040

 

1,000,000

 

1,204,598

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2044

 

1,000,000

 

1,209,431

 

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. G

 

4.00

 

7/1/2046

 

1,000,000

 

1,164,395

 

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

1/1/2025

 

1,500,000

 

1,730,176

 

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

 

5.25

 

7/1/2029

 

700,000

 

732,751

 

Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; GNMA, FNMA & FHLMC) Ser. 220th

 

3.00

 

12/1/2050

 

2,000,000

 

2,189,404

 

Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. 218th

 

3.00

 

12/1/2050

 

1,500,000

 

1,636,372

 

Massachusetts Port Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2035

 

2,055,000

 

2,484,135

 

Massachusetts Port Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2042

 

1,000,000

 

1,197,101

 

Massachusetts Port Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

4.00

 

7/1/2046

 

2,500,000

 

2,805,613

 

Massachusetts Port Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

7/1/2039

 

1,175,000

 

1,521,888

 

11

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8% (continued)

     

Massachusetts - 97.2% (continued)

     

Massachusetts Port Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

7/1/2022

 

1,500,000

d 

1,585,065

 

Massachusetts Port Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. C

 

5.00

 

7/1/2044

 

2,000,000

 

2,471,112

 

Massachusetts Port Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

7/1/2045

 

1,000,000

 

1,148,749

 

Massachusetts Port Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. E

 

5.00

 

7/1/2040

 

1,000,000

 

1,290,171

 

Massachusetts School Building Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. C

 

5.00

 

8/15/2037

 

3,000,000

 

3,549,820

 

Massachusetts School Building Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

8/15/2045

 

2,000,000

 

2,591,445

 

Massachusetts Transportation Fund, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

6/1/2049

 

3,490,000

 

4,365,508

 

Massachusetts Transportation Fund, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

6/1/2041

 

1,500,000

 

1,808,943

 

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

 

5.00

 

1/1/2034

 

2,000,000

 

2,526,914

 

Metropolitan Boston Transit Parking Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

7/1/2024

 

1,320,000

 

1,330,172

 

Springfield Water & Sewer Commission, Revenue Bonds, Ser. C

 

5.00

 

4/15/2037

 

650,000

 

793,487

 

University of Massachusetts Building Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. 1

 

5.00

 

11/1/2050

 

1,220,000

 

1,538,682

 
 

124,325,627

 

U.S. Related - 1.6%

     

Children's Trust Fund, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

0.00

 

5/15/2050

 

5,000,000

b 

781,432

 

12

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8% (continued)

     

U.S. Related - 1.6% (continued)

     

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

 

5.25

 

7/1/2033

 

1,000,000

 

1,215,305

 
 

1,996,737

 

Total Investments (cost $117,378,587)

 

98.8%

126,322,364

 

Cash and Receivables (Net)

 

1.2%

1,565,262

 

Net Assets

 

100.0%

127,887,626

 

a 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.

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

c 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 April 30, 2021, these securities were valued at $6,696,815 or 5.24% of net assets.

d 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.

  

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)

Value (%)

Education

22.9

Medical

22.6

Transportation

14.9

General Obligation

12.7

General

5.3

Nursing Homes

4.0

Prerefunded

3.1

Single Family Housing

3.0

Airport

3.0

Power

2.2

Student Loan

1.9

Facilities

1.0

Development

1.0

Water

.6

Tobacco Settlement

.6

 

98.8

 Based on net assets.

See notes to financial statements.

13

 

    
 

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

CIFG

CDC Ixis Financial Guaranty

COP

Certificate of Participation

CP

Commercial Paper

DRIVERS

Derivative Inverse Tax-Exempt Receipts

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.

14

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

April 30, 2021

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Value

 

Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments

117,378,587

 

126,322,364

 

Cash

 

 

 

 

902,662

 

Interest receivable

 

1,385,645

 

Receivable for shares of Beneficial Interest subscribed

 

4,275

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

 

 

27,256

 

 

 

 

 

 

128,642,202

 

Liabilities ($):

 

 

 

 

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

 

74,309

 

Payable for investment securities purchased

 

578,030

 

Payable for shares of Beneficial Interest redeemed

 

35,627

 

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

 

668

 

Other accrued expenses

 

 

 

 

65,942

 

 

 

 

 

 

754,576

 

Net Assets ($)

 

 

127,887,626

 

Composition of Net Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

117,861,523

 

Total distributable earnings (loss)

 

 

 

 

10,026,103

 

Net Assets ($)

 

 

127,887,626

 

     

Net Asset Value Per Share

Class A

Class C

Class Z

 

Net Assets ($)

25,427,464

14,362

102,445,800

 

Shares Outstanding

2,123,046

1,214

8,553,810

 

Net Asset Value Per Share ($)

11.98

11.83

11.98

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

 

15

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended April 30, 2021

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income ($):

 

 

 

 

Interest Income

 

 

3,756,399

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

Management fee—Note 3(a)

 

 

704,673

 

Professional fees

 

 

114,379

 

Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(c)

 

 

111,726

 

Registration fees

 

 

43,900

 

Chief Compliance Officer fees—Note 3(c)

 

 

15,021

 

Prospectus and shareholders’ reports

 

 

12,334

 

Trustees’ fees and expenses—Note 3(d)

 

 

9,506

 

Loan commitment fees—Note 2

 

 

4,559

 

Custodian fees—Note 3(c)

 

 

2,902

 

Distribution fees—Note 3(b)

 

 

306

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

22,299

 

Total Expenses

 

 

1,041,605

 

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

 

 

(2,902)

 

Net Expenses

 

 

1,038,703

 

Investment Income—Net

 

 

2,717,696

 

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

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

934,605

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

6,695,527

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

 

 

7,630,132

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

10,347,828

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

     

16

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

          

 

 

 

 

Year Ended April 30,

 

 

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

Operations ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income—net

 

 

2,717,696

 

 

 

3,262,775

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

 

934,605

 

 

 

977,067

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on investments

 

6,695,527

 

 

 

(3,363,706)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations

10,347,828

 

 

 

876,136

 

Distributions ($):

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

(523,570)

 

 

 

(520,159)

 

Class C

 

 

(215)

 

 

 

(3,281)

 

Class Z

 

 

(2,542,455)

 

 

 

(2,731,151)

 

Total Distributions

 

 

(3,066,240)

 

 

 

(3,254,591)

 

Beneficial Interest Transactions ($):

 

Net proceeds from shares sold:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

3,915,261

 

 

 

1,819,045

 

Class C

 

 

42

 

 

 

466

 

Class Z

 

 

4,002,902

 

 

 

2,801,669

 

Distributions reinvested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

409,451

 

 

 

404,275

 

Class C

 

 

67

 

 

 

2,325

 

Class Z

 

 

1,990,190

 

 

 

2,103,068

 

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

(2,059,315)

 

 

 

(3,351,971)

 

Class C

 

 

(100,057)

 

 

 

(228,603)

 

Class Z

 

 

(10,432,048)

 

 

 

(14,975,594)

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
from Beneficial Interest Transactions

(2,273,507)

 

 

 

(11,425,320)

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

5,008,081

 

 

 

(13,803,775)

 

Net Assets ($):

 

Beginning of Period

 

 

122,879,545

 

 

 

136,683,320

 

End of Period

 

 

127,887,626

 

 

 

122,879,545

 

Capital Share Transactions (Shares):

 

Class A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

329,741

 

 

 

154,933

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

34,437

 

 

 

34,456

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(172,947)

 

 

 

(289,989)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

191,231

 

 

 

(100,600)

 

Class C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

3

 

 

 

40

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

6

 

 

 

198

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(8,434)

 

 

 

(19,234)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(8,425)

 

 

 

(18,996)

 

Class Z

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

339,863

 

 

 

238,401

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

167,443

 

 

 

179,226

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(877,556)

 

 

 

(1,307,159)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(370,250)

 

 

 

(889,532)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

        

17

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following tables describe the performance for each share class for the fiscal periods indicated. All information (except portfolio turnover rate) reflects financial results for a single fund share. 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 April 30,

Class A Shares

 

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

 

Per Share Data ($):

       

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

11.31

11.51

11.27

11.48

11.94

 

Investment Operations:

       

Investment income—neta

 

.23

.26

.28

.29

.29

 

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

 

.70

(.20)

.24

(.21)

(.46)

 

Total from Investment Operations

 

.93

.06

.52

.08

(.17)

 

Distributions:

       

Dividends from investment
income—net

 

(.23)

(.26)

(.28)

(.29)

(.29)

 

Dividends from net realized
gain on investments

 

(.03)

(.00)b

 

Total Distributions

 

(.26)

(.26)

(.28)

(.29)

(.29)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

11.98

11.31

11.51

11.27

11.48

 

Total Return (%)c

 

8.25

.46

4.72

.65

(1.40)

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

       

Ratio of total expenses to
average net assets

 

1.03

1.01

.99

1.00

.96

 

Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets

 

1.03

1.01

.99

.99

.96

 

Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets

 

1.90

2.22

2.51

2.47

2.48

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

13.31

16.48

4.67

10.68

11.70

 

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

 

25,427

21,847

23,396

24,569

26,487

 

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Amount represents less than $.01 per share.

c Exclusive of sales charge.

See notes to financial statements.

18

 

           
      
  
  

Year Ended April 30,

Class C Shares

 

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

 

Per Share Data ($):

       

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

11.31

11.52

11.27

11.49

11.95

 

Investment Operations:

       

Investment income—neta

 

.04

.15

.18

.19

.20

 

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

 

.53

(.22)

.25

(.22)

(.46)

 

Total from Investment Operations

 

.57

(.07)

.43

(.03)

(.26)

 

Distributions:

       

Dividends from investment
income—net

 

(.02)

(.14)

(.18)

(.19)

(.20)

 

Dividends from net realized
gain on investments

 

(.03)

(.00)b

 

Total Distributions

 

(.05)

(.14)

(.18)

(.19)

(.20)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

11.83

11.31

11.52

11.27

11.49

 

Total Return (%)c

 

5.08

(.64)

3.83

(.22)

(2.27)

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

       

Ratio of total expenses to
average net assets

 

2.61

1.99

1.93

1.81

1.76

 

Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets

 

2.61

1.99

1.93

1.80

1.76

 

Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets

 

.32

1.27

1.57

1.63

1.69

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

13.31

16.48

4.67

10.68

11.70

 

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

 

14

109

330

367

1,472

 

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Amount represents less than $.01 per share.

c Exclusive of sales charge.

See notes to financial statements.

19

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

           
      
  
  

Year Ended April 30,

Class Z Shares

 

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

 

Per Share Data ($):

       

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

11.31

11.51

11.27

11.48

11.94

 

Investment Operations:

       

Investment income—neta

 

.26

.29

.31

.31

.32

 

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

 

.70

(.20)

.24

(.21)

(.46)

 

Total from Investment Operations

 

.96

.09

.55

.10

(.14)

 

Distributions:

       

Dividends from investment
income—net

 

(.26)

(.29)

(.31)

(.31)

(.32)

 

Dividends from net realized
gain on investments

 

(.03)

(.00)b

 

Total Distributions

 

(.29)

(.29)

(.31)

(.31)

(.32)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

11.98

11.31

11.51

11.27

11.48

 

Total Return (%)

 

8.54

.69

4.96

.95

(1.26)

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

       

Ratio of total expenses to
average net assets

 

.76

.78

.76

.78

.73

 

Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets

 

.76

.78

.76

.77

.72

 

Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets

 

2.17

2.45

2.74

2.69

2.72

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

13.31

16.48

4.67

10.68

11.70

 

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

 

102,446

100,923

112,958

118,120

125,381

 

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Amount represents less than $.01 per share.

See notes to financial statements.

20

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

BNY Mellon Massachusetts Fund (the “fund”) is a separate non-diversified series of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds (the “Trust”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company and operates as a series company currently offering three series, including the fund. The fund’s investment objective is to seek to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax and from Massachusetts state income tax, without undue risk. 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.

On February 10, 2021, BNY Mellon Investment Management announced its intention to realign several of its investment firms. As a result of this realignment, which is scheduled to occur, subject to regulatory requirements, in the third quarter of 2021 (the “Effective Date”), portfolio managers responsible for managing the fund’s investments who are employees of Mellon Investments Corporation (“Mellon”) in a dual employment arrangement with the Adviser, will become employees of Insight North America LLC (“INA”), which, like Mellon , is an affiliate of the Adviser, and will no longer be employees of Mellon. Consequently, effective as of the Effective Date and subject to the approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), the Adviser will engage INA to serve as the fund’s sub-adviser, pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and INA. As the fund’s sub-adviser, INA will provide the day-to-day management of the fund’s investments, subject to the Adviser’s supervision and approval. It is currently anticipated that the fund’s portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund’s investments will continue to manage the fund’s investments as of the Effective Date. It is also currently anticipated that 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 increase in the management fee payable by the fund as a result of the engagement of INA as the fund’s sub-adviser. The Adviser (and not the fund) will pay INA for its sub-advisory services.

BNY Mellon Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, is the distributor of the fund’s shares. The fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of $.001 par value shares of Beneficial Interest in each of the following classes of shares: Class A, Class C and Class Z. Class A shares generally are subject to a sales charge

21

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

imposed at the time of purchase. Class A shares bought without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more may be charged a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% if redeemed within one year. Class C shares are subject to a CDSC imposed on Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase. Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the date of purchase, without the imposition of a sales charge. Class Z shares are sold at net asset value per share to certain shareholders of the fund. Class Z shares generally are not available for new accounts. Other differences between the classes include the services offered to and the expenses borne by each class, the allocation of certain transfer agency costs, and certain voting rights. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class), and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.

As of April 30, 2021, MBC Investments Corp., an indirect subsidiary of BNY Mellon, held 882 Class C shares of the fund.

The Trust accounts separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each series. Expenses directly attributable to each series are charged to that series’ operations; expenses which are applicable to all series are allocated among them on a pro rata basis.

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 Trust 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 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.

22

 

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 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 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.

23

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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 April 30, 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:

  

Municipal Securities

-

126,322,364

 

-

126,322,364

 

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

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

The fund follows an investment policy of investing primarily in municipal obligations of one state. Economic changes affecting the state and certain of its public bodies and municipalities may affect the ability of issuers within the state to pay interest on, or repay principal of, municipal obligations held by the fund.

(c) Risk: Certain events particular to the industries in which the fund’s investments conduct their operations, as well as general economic, political

24

 

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.

As of and during the period ended April 30, 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 April 30, 2021, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

25

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Each tax year in the four-year period ended April 30, 2021 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

At April 30, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed tax-exempt income $142,998, undistributed capital gains $934,363 and unrealized appreciation $8,948,742.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal periods ended April 30, 2021 and April 30, 2020 were as follows: tax-exempt income $2,714,221 and $3,254,591 and long-term capital gains $352,019 and $0, respectively.

During the period ended April 30, 2021, as a result of permanent book to tax differences, primarily due to the tax treatment for amortization adjustments, the fund increased total distributable earnings (loss) by $135,016 and decreased paid-in capital by the same amount. Net assets and net asset value per share were not affected by this reclassification.

(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 London Interbank Offered Rate (“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 Facility”), a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of the Adviser, each to be utilized primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the

26

 

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 April 30, 2021, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.

NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with the Adviser, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .55% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly.

During the period ended April 30, 2021, the Distributor retained $63 from commissions earned on sales of the fund’s Class A shares.

(b) Under the Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, Class C shares pay the Distributor for distributing its shares at an annual rate of .75% of the value of its average daily net assets. During the period ended April 30, 2021, Class C shares were charged $306 pursuant to the Distribution Plan.

(c) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class A and Class C shares pay the Distributor at an annual rate of .25% of the value of their average daily net assets for the provision of certain services. The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The Distributor may make payments to Service Agents (securities dealers, financial institutions or other industry professionals) with respect to these services. The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service Agents. During the period ended April 30, 2021, Class A and Class C shares were charged $60,071 and $102, respectively, pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class Z shares reimburse the Distributor at an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25% of the value

27

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

of Class Z shares’ average daily net assets for the provision of certain services. The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding Class Z shares and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. During the period ended April 30, 2021, Class Z shares were charged $1,264 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

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 April 30, 2021, the fund was charged $30,529 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 April 30, 2021, the fund was charged $2,902 pursuant to the custody agreement. These fees were offset by earnings credits of $2,902.

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 April 30, 2021, the fund was charged $1,532 pursuant to the agreement, which is included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.

During the period ended April 30, 2021, the fund was charged $15,021 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.

28

 

The components of “Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: management fees of $57,654, Distribution Plan fees of $9, Shareholder Services Plan fees of $5,180, custodian fees of $1,046, Chief Compliance Officer fees of $5,242 and transfer agency fees of $5,178.

(d) 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.

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended April 30, 2021, amounted to $16,740,657 and $18,134,224, respectively.

At April 30, 2021, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $117,373,622; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $8,948,742, consisting of $9,040,084 gross unrealized appreciation and $91,342 gross unrealized depreciation.

29

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of BNY Mellon Massachusetts Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of BNY Mellon Massachusetts Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds), including the statement of investments, as of April 30, 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 (one of the funds constituting BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds) at April 30, 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 April 30, 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
June 24, 2021

30

 

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 April 30, 2021 as “exempt-interest dividends” (not subject to regular federal income tax, and for individuals who are Massachusetts residents, Massachusetts personal income taxes). 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. The fund also hereby reports $0.0330 per share as a long-term capital gain distribution paid on December 23, 2020.

31

 

BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)

INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS

Joseph S. DiMartino (77)

Chairman of the Board (1995)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Director or 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: 106

———————

Francine J. Bovich (69)

Board Member (2012)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Trustee, The Bradley Trusts, private trust funds (2011-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· Annaly Capital Management, Inc., a real estate investment trust, Director (2014-Present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 63

———————

Peggy C. Davis (78)

Board Member (1990)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Shad Professor of Law, New York University School of Law (1983-present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 38

———————

Nathan Leventhal (78)

Board Member (1989)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· President Emeritus of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (2001-Present)

· President of the Palm Beach Opera (2016-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· Movado Group, Inc., a public company that designs, markets and distributes watches, Director (2003-2020)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 42

———————

32

 

Robin A. Melvin (57)

Board Member (2012)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

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

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

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 85

———————

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 Member 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.

Clifford L. Alexander, Jr., Emeritus Board Member
Diane Dunst, Emeritus Board Member
Ernest Kafka, Emeritus Board Member

33

 

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 61 investment companies (comprised of 114 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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.

BENNETT A. MACDOUGALL, Chief Legal Officer since October 2015.

Chief Legal Officer of the Adviser and Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of BNY Mellon. He is an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 49 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since June 2015.

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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 30 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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.

PETER M. SULLIVAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2019.

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2020; Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from March 2009 to December 2020, and an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the the Adviser or an affiliate of the the Adviser. He is 53 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since April 2004.

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

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2019; Counsel of BNY Mellon from May 2016 to December 2019; Assistant Secretary of the Adviser since 2018; Attorney at Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund/Wildermuth Advisory, LLC from November 2015 to May 2016. She is an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 35 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since May 2016.

34

 

GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005.

Tax Manager-BNY Mellon Fund Administration, and an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 52 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since August 2005.

Senior Accounting Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration, and an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 Adviser, the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust (61 investment companies, comprised of 129 portfolios). He is 63 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 55 investment companies (comprised of 130 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since 1997.

35

 

This page intentionally left blank.

36

 

This page intentionally left blank.

37

 

For More Information

BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Massachusetts Fund

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Adviser

BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

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 Symbols:

Class A: PSMAX      Class C: PCMAX      Class Z: PMAZX

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
0063AR0421

 

BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Pennsylvania Fund

 

ANNUAL REPORT

April 30, 2021

 

 

Save time. Save paper. View your next shareholder report online as soon as it’s available. Log into www.im.bnymellon.com and sign up for eCommunications. It’s simple and only takes a few minutes.

 

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

7

Comparing Your Fund’s Expenses
With Those of Other Funds

7

Statement of Investments

8

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

16

Statement of Operations

17

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

18

Financial Highlights

20

Notes to Financial Statements

23

Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

32

Important Tax Information

33

Board Members Information

34

Officers of the Fund

36

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)

For the period from May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021, as provided by Daniel Rabasco and Thomas Casey, Portfolio Managers

Market and Fund Performance Overview

For the 12-month period ended April 30, 2021, Class A shares of BNY Mellon Pennsylvania Fund, a series of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, produced a total return of 9.34%, Class C shares returned 8.39% and Class Z shares returned 9.63%.1 In comparison, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”), the fund’s benchmark index, which is comprised of bonds issued nationally and not solely within Pennsylvania, achieved a total return of 7.75% for the same period.2

Municipal bonds continued to recover from pandemic-related turmoil during the reporting period, with support from monetary and fiscal policy. The fund outperformed the Index, due to duration, yield-curve positioning, sector allocation and security selection.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax and from Pennsylvania state income tax, without undue risk. To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in municipal bonds that provide income exempt from federal and Pennsylvania state income taxes. The fund invests at least 70% of its assets in municipal bonds rated, at the time of purchase, investment grade (i.e., Baa/BBB or higher) or the unrated equivalent as determined by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. For additional yield, the fund may invest up to 30% of its assets in municipal bonds rated below investment grade (“high yield” or “junk” bonds) or the unrated equivalent as determined by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. The dollar-weighted average maturity of the fund’s portfolio normally exceeds 10 years, but the fund may invest without regard to maturity.

The portfolio managers 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, and by 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.

Policy Support and Economic Recovery Aid Market

The municipal bond market recovered from unprecedented volatility that occurred earlier in 2020, when the COVID-19 virus spread, and government shutdowns caused the economy to slow dramatically. In response to the pandemic, the Federal Reserve made two emergency interest-rate cuts in March 2020 and launched a $500 billion Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF) to purchase short-term municipal securities. This, combined with the $2 trillion Coronavirus Assistance, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, dramatically changed investor sentiment, which helped the municipal bond market to bounce back relatively quickly.

2

 

While new issuance dried up during the height of the crisis in the first quarter of 2020, it rebounded along with bond prices, as issuers sought to take advantage of record-low funding costs. Much of the new issuance was in taxable bonds, as low yields have made taxable issuance attractive to issuers. New issuance also increased because state and local governments sought to avoid the uncertainty associated with the election. The flood of new issues produced a somewhat negative effect on performance, as it created a glut of supply. While lower-risk bonds outperformed during the height of the crisis, lower-quality bonds rebounded strongly once monetary and fiscal policy measures were put in place.

Approval of multiple COVID-19 vaccines and passage of a federal stimulus package later in the reporting period contributed further to demand. Although the stimulus package did not include direct relief for states and municipalities, the market took a favorable view of funding for hospitals and mass transit, among other segments, as well as for consumers and small businesses.

The results of the November 2020 election also provided support. A Democrat-controlled Congress made federal relief for state and local governments more likely. It also made income tax hikes more likely, 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 as well, and relatively high interest rates also attracted foreign investors.

Investors were also encouraged by the fiscal health of municipal issuers, which turned out to be much stronger than expected. Tax revenues remained robust because real estate and income tax collections failed to decline as much as predicted. Progressive tax regimes proved advantageous because higher-earning, white-collar workers were largely unaffected by the pandemic. In addition, federal support to households, school systems, the transportation system and other segments bolstered the economy and prevented sales taxes from declining as much as originally feared.

Revenue bonds generally outperformed general obligation bonds late in the period as hard-hit market segments such as transportation and hospitals recovered when investors became more confident that the end of the pandemic was likely. Yield spreads of municipal bonds over Treasury bonds compressed late in the reporting period. This was due to both a rise in long-term Treasury yields and to a decline in long-term municipal bond yields.

Demand for municipal bonds has benefited from strong fundamentals due in part to a $350 billion relief package from the federal government. As a result, inflows to municipal bond mutual funds in 2021 have been the strongest on record.

Pennsylvania’s diversified economy has helped it weather the pandemic well. Tax revenues have been strong, roughly in line with 2019 levels. The state has also managed its finances well and continues to benefit from the healthy state of its long-term liabilities.

Duration, Yield Curve Positioning, Asset Allocation and Security Selection Benefited Performance

The fund’s relative performance was helped primarily by its duration versus the Index, its yield curve positioning, asset allocation and security selection. The fund’s duration was slightly longer than the Index, and its positions on the 15- to 20-year portion of the municipal bond curve were especially beneficial. An overweight position in revenue bonds also was advantageous, especially in the education and health care sectors. Security

3

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited) (continued)

selections, including positions in the ACTS Retirement-Life Communities and Menno-Haven, a senior living community, also contributed positively to returns.

On the other hand, the fund’s performance was hampered by its exposure to the transportation segment of the market. Positions in the credits of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Delaware River Tollway detracted from returns. A position in the industrial development bond of Covanta Energy was also a hindrance to returns. The fund did not use derivatives during the reporting period.

A Positive Outlook

The outlook for the regional economy remains positive. With the pandemic easing and fiscal support coming from the federal government, economic activity and tax revenues should remain healthy. Democrat control of Congress could also be more supportive of the municipal market as the coming year could see an increase in environmental and infrastructure spending at the federal level, which could be a boon. Although a federal hike in tax rates for higher-income households is possible, this would likely benefit the municipal bond market. The cap on the deductibility of state and local taxes may also remain, which could also spur demand for municipal bonds.

May 17, 2021

1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid and does not take into consideration the maximum initial sales charge in the case of Class A shares or the applicable contingent deferred sales charge imposed on redemptions in the case of Class C shares. Had these charges been reflected, returns would have been lower. Class Z is not subject to any initial or deferred sales charge. 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 taxable. The fund’s returns reflect the absorption of certain fund expenses by BNY Mellon Investment Advisor, Inc. pursuant to an agreement in effect through September 1, 2021, at which time it may be extended, terminated or modified. The fund performance returns stated reflect the fee waiver, without which, the returns would have been lower.

2 Source: Lipper Inc. — The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Municipal Bond Index covers the U.S. dollar-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.

The amount of public information available about municipal bonds is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds. Special factors, such as legislative changes, and state and local economic and business developments, may adversely affect the yield and/or value of the fund’s investments in municipal bonds. Other factors include the general conditions of the municipal bond market, the size of the particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. Changes in economic, business or political conditions relating to a particular municipal project, municipality or state in which the fund invests may have an impact on the fund’s share price.

References to specific securities, asset classes and financial markets are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be and should not be interpreted as recommendations.

High yield bonds involve increased credit and liquidity risk than higher-rated bonds and are considered speculative in terms of the issuer’s ability to pay interest and repay principal on a timely basis.

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 Class A shares, Class C shares and Class Z shares of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Pennsylvania Fund with a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”).

 Source: Lipper Inc.

The above graph compares a hypothetical $10,000 investment made in each of the Class A shares, Class C shares and Class Z shares of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Pennsylvania Fund on 4/30/11 to a hypothetical investment of $10,000 made in the Index on that date. All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

The fund’s performance shown in the line graph above takes into account the maximum initial sales charge on Class A shares and all other applicable fees and expenses on all classes. The Index is not limited to investments principally in Pennsylvania municipal obligations. The Index, unlike the fund, covers the U.S. dollar-denominated long-term tax-exempt bond market. These factors can contribute to the Index potentially outperforming or underperforming the fund. 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.

5

 

FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited) (continued)

       

Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/2021

  
  

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

  

 

 

Class A shares

      

with maximum sales charge (4.5%)

 

4.39%

2.42%

3.78%

  

without sales charge

 

9.34%

3.37%

4.26%

  

Class C shares

      

with applicable redemption charge

 

7.39%

2.54%

3.45%

  

without redemption

 

8.39%

2.54%

3.45%

  

Class Z shares

 

9.63%

3.60%

4.49%

  

Bloomberg Barclays U.S.
Municipal Bond Index

 

7.75%

3.51%

4.44%

  

 The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for Class C shares is 1% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

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. In addition to the performance of Class A shares shown with and without a maximum sales charge, the fund’s performance shown in the table takes into account all other applicable fees and expenses on all classes.

6

 

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 State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Pennsylvania Fund from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 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 April 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

Class C

Class Z

 

Expenses paid per $1,000

$4.74

$9.06

$3.38

 

Ending value (after expenses)

$1,034.40

$1,029.90

$1,035.80

 

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 April 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

Class C

Class Z

 

Expenses paid per $1,000

$4.71

$9.00

$3.36

 

Ending value (after expenses)

$1,020.13

$1,015.87

$1,021.47

 

Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .94% for Class A, 1.80% for Class C and .67% for Class Z, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

7

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

April 30, 2021

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.3%

     

Pennsylvania - 97.3%

     

Allegheny County, GO, Ser. C74

 

5.00

 

12/1/2034

 

1,000,000

 

1,156,540

 

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

 

5.00

 

4/1/2031

 

2,000,000

 

2,485,804

 

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

 

4.00

 

7/15/2035

 

1,000,000

 

1,185,800

 

Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (City Center Project)

 

5.00

 

5/1/2042

 

1,000,000

a 

1,155,160

 

Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (City Center Project)

 

5.00

 

5/1/2033

 

500,000

a 

595,980

 

Allentown School District, GO (Insured; Build America Mutual) Ser. C

 

5.00

 

2/1/2037

 

1,600,000

 

2,014,198

 

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

 

5.00

 

5/15/2038

 

415,000

 

464,436

 

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

 

5.00

 

5/15/2043

 

500,000

 

555,665

 

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

 

5.00

 

5/15/2042

 

500,000

 

565,979

 

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

 

5.00

 

5/15/2047

 

600,000

 

675,254

 

Boyertown Area School District, GO (Insured; State Aid Withholding)

 

5.00

 

10/1/2037

 

1,050,000

 

1,138,927

 

Centre County Hospital Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Mount Nittany Medical Center Project) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2041

 

750,000

 

862,017

 

8

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.3% (continued)

     

Pennsylvania - 97.3% (continued)

     

Chester County Health & Education Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Main Line Health System Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

9/1/2050

 

1,000,000

 

1,165,306

 

Clairton Municipal Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

12/1/2037

 

2,000,000

 

2,109,762

 

Commonwealth Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

6/1/2034

 

1,000,000

 

1,227,901

 

Cumberland County Municipal Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

1/1/2038

 

900,000

 

991,755

 

Cumberland County Municipal Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

1/1/2025

 

100,000

b 

116,411

 

Dauphin County General Authority, Revenue Bonds (Pinnacle Health System Project)

 

5.00

 

6/1/2042

 

3,030,000

 

3,156,496

 

Delaware County Authority, Revenue Bonds (Villanova University)

 

5.00

 

8/1/2040

 

1,000,000

 

1,161,366

 

Delaware County Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Cabrini University)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2042

 

1,000,000

 

1,130,259

 

Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

7/1/2032

 

1,000,000

 

1,233,395

 

Delaware River Port Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

1/1/2037

 

3,000,000

 

3,347,494

 

Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B, 1 Month MUNIPSA +.42%

 

0.48

 

9/1/2022

 

2,000,000

c 

1,996,762

 

Dover Area School District, GO (Insured; Build America Mutual)

 

5.00

 

4/1/2036

 

800,000

 

978,804

 

Dover Area School District, GO (Insured; Build America Mutual)

 

5.00

 

4/1/2035

 

1,000,000

 

1,225,448

 

East Hempfield Township Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Willow Valley Communities Project)

 

5.00

 

12/1/2039

 

600,000

 

682,356

 

Franklin County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Menno-Haven Project)

 

5.00

 

12/1/2049

 

500,000

 

532,719

 

Franklin County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Menno-Haven Project)

 

5.00

 

12/1/2048

 

1,000,000

 

1,066,112

 

9

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.3% (continued)

     

Pennsylvania - 97.3% (continued)

     

Geisinger Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Geisinger Health System Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

4/1/2030

 

1,000,000

 

1,296,598

 

Geisinger Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Geisinger Health System Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

6/1/2041

 

2,500,000

 

2,817,590

 

Lancaster County Hospital Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Brethren Village Project)

 

5.13

 

7/1/2037

 

1,000,000

 

1,097,989

 

Lancaster County Hospital Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Masonic Villages of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania)

 

5.00

 

11/1/2035

 

1,000,000

 

1,102,936

 

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

 

5.00

 

8/15/2042

 

1,800,000

 

2,159,459

 

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

 

2.45

 

12/3/2029

 

1,750,000

 

1,894,186

 

Montgomery County Higher Education & Health Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Philadelphia Presbytery Homes Project)

 

5.00

 

12/1/2047

 

1,000,000

 

1,109,493

 

Montgomery County Higher Education & Health Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Thomas Jefferson University Project)

 

4.00

 

9/1/2034

 

1,000,000

 

1,175,382

 

Montgomery County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (ACTS Retirement-Life Communities Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

11/15/2036

 

3,200,000

 

3,731,236

 

Montgomery County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Meadowood Senior Living Project) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2048

 

1,000,000

 

1,110,530

 

Montgomery County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Waverly Heights Project)

 

5.00

 

12/1/2049

 

500,000

 

564,439

 

Pennsylvania, COP, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2034

 

1,000,000

 

1,229,676

 

Pennsylvania, GO

 

4.00

 

3/1/2037

 

1,525,000

 

1,768,875

 

10

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.3% (continued)

     

Pennsylvania - 97.3% (continued)

     

Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds (Greed Bond) (Covanta Project)

 

3.25

 

8/1/2039

 

850,000

a 

866,516

 

Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (UPMC Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

10/15/2041

 

275,000

 

328,654

 

Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (UPMC Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/15/2036

 

1,250,000

 

1,667,665

 

Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Drexel University)

 

5.00

 

5/1/2041

 

1,000,000

 

1,211,441

 

Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Drexel University)

 

5.00

 

5/1/2035

 

1,750,000

 

2,063,245

 

Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Thomas Jefferson University Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

9/1/2030

 

1,170,000

 

1,340,391

 

Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Thomas Jefferson University Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

9/1/2045

 

1,500,000

 

1,685,812

 

Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (University of Sciences)

 

5.00

 

11/1/2031

 

1,000,000

 

1,144,455

 

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2025

 

1,085,000

 

1,089,019

 

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

12/1/2036

 

3,000,000

 

3,657,658

 

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

 

5.00

 

12/1/2032

 

3,000,000

 

3,690,462

 

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

12/1/2036

 

1,605,000

 

1,908,580

 

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.25

 

12/1/2048

 

1,000,000

 

1,255,496

 

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Revenue Bonds, Ser. C

 

5.00

 

12/1/2043

 

600,000

 

664,996

 

11

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.3% (continued)

     

Pennsylvania - 97.3% (continued)

     

Philadelphia Airport, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

6/15/2035

 

2,000,000

 

2,305,434

 

Philadelphia Airport, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

7/1/2047

 

1,500,000

 

1,784,462

 

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

 

4.00

 

8/1/2045

 

1,000,000

 

1,158,513

 

Philadelphia Gas Works, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

8/1/2031

 

1,000,000

 

1,176,219

 

Philadelphia Gas Works, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

8/1/2032

 

1,000,000

 

1,175,303

 

Philadelphia Housing Authority, Revenue Bonds (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2021

 

865,000

 

868,191

 

Philadelphia Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Project) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2042

 

3,000,000

 

3,382,236

 

Philadelphia Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Housing-University Square Apartments Project)

 

5.00

 

12/1/2037

 

1,250,000

 

1,461,129

 

Philadelphia Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (St. Joseph's University)

 

4.00

 

11/1/2045

 

1,000,000

 

1,133,180

 

Philadelphia Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Thomas Jefferson University Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

9/1/2047

 

1,000,000

 

1,186,476

 

Philadelphia Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. 2015

 

5.00

 

4/1/2045

 

1,500,000

 

1,726,461

 

Philadelphia Water & Wastewater, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/1/2050

 

1,000,000

 

1,294,677

 

Pittsburgh, GO (Insured; Build America Mutual)

 

5.00

 

9/1/2024

 

1,585,000

b 

1,835,278

 

Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority, Revenue Bonds (West Park Court Housing) (Insured; Government National Mortgage Association)

 

4.90

 

11/20/2047

 

1,120,000

 

1,122,120

 

Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured: Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. B

 

4.00

 

9/1/2034

 

1,305,000

 

1,572,010

 

12

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.3% (continued)

     

Pennsylvania - 97.3% (continued)

     

Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured: Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. B

 

5.00

 

9/1/2033

 

500,000

 

698,306

 

Quaker Valley School District, GO, Refunding (Insured; State Aid Withholding)

 

5.00

 

10/1/2033

 

330,000

 

433,571

 

Quaker Valley School District, GO, Refunding (Insured; State Aid Withholding)

 

5.00

 

10/1/2034

 

400,000

 

524,074

 

Quaker Valley School District, GO, Refunding (Insured; State Aid Withholding)

 

5.00

 

10/1/2035

 

350,000

 

457,448

 

Southcentral Pennsylvania General Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

6/1/2044

 

1,000,000

 

1,242,032

 

State Public School Building Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2032

 

1,525,000

 

1,857,219

 

State Public School Building Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2026

 

475,000

b 

589,714

 

State Public School Building Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Montgomery County Community College)

 

5.00

 

5/1/2038

 

1,115,000

 

1,211,836

 

Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

4.00

 

1/1/2033

 

1,300,000

 

1,318,347

 

The Canonsburg-Houston Joint Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2040

 

2,000,000

 

2,348,421

 

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

 

5.00

 

9/1/2044

 

1,000,000

 

1,221,425

 

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

 

5.00

 

9/1/2043

 

1,000,000

 

1,215,821

 

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

 

5.00

 

9/1/2038

 

1,000,000

 

1,195,764

 

Westmoreland County Municipal Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Build America Mutual)

 

5.00

 

8/15/2042

 

1,000,000

 

1,164,278

 

13

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.3% (continued)

     

Pennsylvania - 97.3% (continued)

     

Wilkes-Barre Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (University of Scranton) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/1/2034

 

1,000,000

 

1,163,152

 
 

118,433,982

 

U.S. Related - 1.0%

     

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

 

5.25

 

7/1/2034

 

1,000,000

 

1,223,179

 

Total Investments (cost $111,356,213)

 

98.3%

119,657,161

 

Cash and Receivables (Net)

 

1.7%

2,054,607

 

Net Assets

 

100.0%

121,711,768

 

a 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 April 30, 2021, these securities were valued at $2,617,656 or 2.15% of net assets.

b 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.

c 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.

  

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)

Value (%)

Medical

19.8

Transportation

14.0

Education

13.8

Nursing Homes

11.7

School District

8.6

Water

7.4

Utilities

4.6

Airport

4.4

Multifamily Housing

3.7

General

2.5

General Obligation

2.4

Prerefunded

2.1

Facilities

1.6

Tobacco Settlement

1.0

Development

.7

 

98.3

 Based on net assets.

See notes to financial statements.

14

 

    
 

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

CIFG

CDC Ixis Financial Guaranty

COP

Certificate of Participation

CP

Commercial Paper

DRIVERS

Derivative Inverse Tax-Exempt Receipts

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.

15

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

April 30, 2021

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Value

 

Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments

111,356,213

 

119,657,161

 

Cash

 

 

 

 

636,305

 

Interest receivable

 

1,627,014

 

Receivable for shares of Beneficial Interest subscribed

 

133,123

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

 

 

24,205

 

 

 

 

 

 

122,077,808

 

Liabilities ($):

 

 

 

 

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

 

74,740

 

Payable for shares of Beneficial Interest redeemed

 

222,786

 

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

 

632

 

Other accrued expenses

 

 

 

 

67,882

 

 

 

 

 

 

366,040

 

Net Assets ($)

 

 

121,711,768

 

Composition of Net Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

113,101,961

 

Total distributable earnings (loss)

 

 

 

 

8,609,807

 

Net Assets ($)

 

 

121,711,768

 

     

Net Asset Value Per Share

Class A

Class C

Class Z

 

Net Assets ($)

88,464,338

855,081

32,392,349

 

Shares Outstanding

5,332,586

51,522

1,953,025

 

Net Asset Value Per Share ($)

16.59

16.60

16.59

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

 

16

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended April 30, 2021

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income ($):

 

 

 

 

Interest Income

 

 

3,818,374

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

Management fee—Note 3(a)

 

 

664,338

 

Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(c)

 

 

274,487

 

Professional fees

 

 

109,655

 

Registration fees

 

 

34,649

 

Chief Compliance Officer fees—Note 3(c)

 

 

15,021

 

Prospectus and shareholders’ reports

 

 

13,250

 

Trustees’ fees and expenses—Note 3(d)

 

 

8,952

 

Distribution fees—Note 3(b)

 

 

8,941

 

Loan commitment fees—Note 2

 

 

4,289

 

Custodian fees—Note 3(c)

 

 

2,787

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

24,875

 

Total Expenses

 

 

1,161,244

 

Less—reduction in expenses due to undertaking—Note 3(a)

 

 

(120,789)

 

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

 

 

(2,593)

 

Net Expenses

 

 

1,037,862

 

Investment Income—Net

 

 

2,780,512

 

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

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

371,218

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

7,680,222

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

 

 

8,051,440

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

10,831,952

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

     

17

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

          

 

 

 

 

Year Ended April 30,

 

 

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

Operations ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income—net

 

 

2,780,512

 

 

 

3,153,330

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

 

371,218

 

 

 

1,318,515

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on investments

 

7,680,222

 

 

 

(3,500,382)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations

10,831,952

 

 

 

971,463

 

Distributions ($):

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

(2,612,472)

 

 

 

(2,825,729)

 

Class C

 

 

(26,737)

 

 

 

(39,909)

 

Class Z

 

 

(1,086,397)

 

 

 

(1,167,331)

 

Total Distributions

 

 

(3,725,606)

 

 

 

(4,032,969)

 

Beneficial Interest Transactions ($):

 

Net proceeds from shares sold:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

9,450,553

 

 

 

3,067,668

 

Class C

 

 

3,238

 

 

 

11,182

 

Class Z

 

 

1,020,650

 

 

 

1,878,425

 

Distributions reinvested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

2,297,552

 

 

 

2,456,575

 

Class C

 

 

26,413

 

 

 

38,942

 

Class Z

 

 

902,149

 

 

 

956,167

 

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

(11,982,184)

 

 

 

(9,277,452)

 

Class C

 

 

(725,403)

 

 

 

(465,212)

 

Class Z

 

 

(3,549,007)

 

 

 

(3,787,717)

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
from Beneficial Interest Transactions

(2,556,039)

 

 

 

(5,121,422)

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

4,550,307

 

 

 

(8,182,928)

 

Net Assets ($):

 

Beginning of Period

 

 

117,161,461

 

 

 

125,344,389

 

End of Period

 

 

121,711,768

 

 

 

117,161,461

 

18

 

          

 

 

 

 

Year Ended April 30,

 

 

 

 

2021

 

2020

 

Capital Share Transactions (Shares):

 

Class Aa,b

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

576,558

 

 

 

186,921

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

139,802

 

 

 

150,345

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(728,730)

 

 

 

(567,694)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(12,370)

 

 

 

(230,428)

 

Class Ca

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

197

 

 

 

690

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

1,606

 

 

 

2,382

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(44,361)

 

 

 

(28,482)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(42,558)

 

 

 

(25,410)

 

Class Zb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

62,441

 

 

 

115,093

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

54,916

 

 

 

58,528

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(216,517)

 

 

 

(232,933)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(99,160)

 

 

 

(59,312)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a

During the period ended April 30, 2021, 4,621 Class C shares representing $73,148 were automatically converted to 4,621 Class A shares and during the period ended April 30, 2020, 6,340 Class C shares representing $104,538 were automatically converted to 6,346 Class A shares.

 

b

During the period ended April 30, 2020, 2,719 Class A shares representing $44,863 were exchanged for 2,722 Class Z shares.

 

See notes to financial statements.

        

19

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following tables describe the performance for each share class for the fiscal periods indicated. All information (except portfolio turnover rate) reflects financial results for a single fund share. 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.

           
        
    

Class A Shares

  

Year Ended April 30,

  

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Per Share Data ($):

       

Net asset value, beginning of period

  

15.64

16.06

15.84

16.15

16.74

Investment Operations:

       

Investment income—neta

  

.37

.41

.42

.43

.47

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

  

1.08

(.30)

.35

(.03)

(.50)

Total from Investment Operations

  

1.45

.11

.77

.40

(.03)

Distributions:

       

Dividends from
investment income—net

  

(.37)

(.41)

(.42)

(.43)

(.46)

Dividends from net realized
gain on investments

  

(.13)

(.12)

(.13)

(.28)

(.10)

Total Distributions

  

(.50)

(.53)

(.55)

(.71)

(.56)

Net asset value, end of period

  

16.59

15.64

16.06

15.84

16.15

Total Return (%)b

  

9.34

.55

4.97

2.44

(.16)

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

       

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

  

1.02

1.01

1.00

.98

.96

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

  

.92

.94

1.00

.98

.96

Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets

  

2.24

2.48

2.65

2.62

2.82

Portfolio Turnover Rate

  

4.78

14.71

8.53

15.24

20.97

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

  

88,464

83,598

89,527

92,964

100,228

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Exclusive of sales charge.

See notes to financial statements.

20

 

           
        
    

Class C Shares

  

Year Ended April 30,

  

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Per Share Data ($):

       

Net asset value, beginning of period

  

15.65

16.06

15.84

16.15

16.75

Investment Operations:

       

Investment income—neta

  

.23

.27

.29

.30

.34

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

  

1.08

(.29)

.35

(.03)

(.51)

Total from Investment Operations

  

1.31

(.02)

.64

.27

(.17)

Distributions:

       

Dividends from
investment income—net

  

(.23)

(.27)

(.29)

(.30)

(.33)

Dividends from net realized
gain on investments

  

(.13)

(.12)

(.13)

(.28)

(.10)

Total Distributions

  

(.36)

(.39)

(.42)

(.58)

(.43)

Net asset value, end of period

  

16.60

15.65

16.06

15.84

16.15

Total Return (%)b

  

8.39

(.22)

4.12

1.63

(.98)

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

       

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

  

1.87

1.84

1.82

1.76

1.73

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

  

1.77

1.77

1.82

1.76

1.73

Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets

  

1.39

1.66

1.83

1.83

2.05

Portfolio Turnover Rate

  

4.78

14.71

8.53

15.24

20.97

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

  

855

1,472

1,920

2,511

4,445

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Exclusive of sales charge.

See notes to financial statements.

21

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

           
        
    

Class Z Shares

  

Year Ended April 30,

  

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Per Share Data ($):

       

Net asset value, beginning of period

  

15.64

16.05

15.83

16.15

16.74

Investment Operations:

       

Investment income—neta

  

.41

.44

.45

.46

.50

Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments

  

1.08

(.29)

.35

(.04)

(.49)

Total from Investment Operations

  

1.49

.15

.80

.42

.01

Distributions:

       

Dividends from
investment income—net

  

(.41)

(.44)

(.45)

(.46)

(.50)

Dividends from net realized
gain on investments

  

(.13)

(.12)

(.13)

(.28)

(.10)

Total Distributions

  

(.54)

(.56)

(.58)

(.74)

(.60)

Net asset value, end of period

  

16.59

15.64

16.05

15.83

16.15

Total Return (%)

  

9.63

.82

5.18

2.66

.01

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

       

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

  

.76

.80

.82

.76

.73

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

  

.66

.73

.82

.76

.73

Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets

  

2.50

2.69

2.85

2.83

3.05

Portfolio Turnover Rate

  

4.78

14.71

8.53

15.24

20.97

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

  

32,392

32,091

33,898

35,676

49,560

a Based on average shares outstanding.

See notes to financial statements.

22

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

BNY Mellon Pennsylvania Fund (the “fund”) is a separate non-diversified series of BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds (the “Trust”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company and operates as a series company currently offering three series, including the fund. The fund’s investment objective is to seek to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax and from Pennsylvania state income tax, without undue risk. 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.

On February 10, 2021, BNY Mellon Investment Management announced its intention to realign several of its investment firms. As a result of this realignment, which is scheduled to occur, subject to regulatory requirements, in the third quarter of 2021 (the “Effective Date”), portfolio managers responsible for managing the fund’s investments who are employees of Mellon Investments Corporation (“Mellon”) in a dual employment arrangement with the Adviser, will become employees of Insight North America LLC (“INA”), which, like Mellon, is an affiliate of the Adviser, and will no longer be employees of Mellon. Consequently, effective as of the Effective Date and subject to the approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), the Adviser will engage INA to serve as the fund’s sub-adviser, pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and INA. As the fund’s sub-adviser, INA will provide the day-to-day management of the fund’s investments, subject to the Adviser’s supervision and approval. It is currently anticipated that the fund’s portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund’s investments will continue to manage the fund’s investments as of the Effective Date. It is also currently anticipated that 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 increase in the management fee payable by the fund as a result of the engagement of INA as the fund’s sub-adviser. The Adviser (and not the fund) will pay INA for its sub-advisory services.

BNY Mellon Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser, is the distributor of the fund’s shares. The fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of $.001 par value shares of Beneficial Interest in each of the following classes of shares: Class A, Class C and Class Z. Class A shares generally are subject to a sales charge

23

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

imposed at the time of purchase. Class A shares bought without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more may be charged a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% if redeemed within one year. Class C shares are subject to a CDSC imposed on Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase. Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the date of purchase, without the imposition of a sales charge. Class Z shares are sold at net asset value per share to certain shareholders of the fund. Class Z shares generally are not available for new accounts. Other differences between the classes include the services offered to and the expenses borne by each class, the allocation of certain transfer agency costs, and certain voting rights. Income, expenses (other than expenses attributable to a specific class), and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.

The Trust accounts separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each series. Expenses directly attributable to each series are charged to that series’ operations; expenses which are applicable to all series are allocated among them on a pro rata basis.

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 Trust 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 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).

24

 

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 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 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

25

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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 April 30, 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:

  

Municipal Securities

-

119,657,161

 

-

119,657,161

 

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

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

The fund follows an investment policy of investing primarily in municipal obligations of one state. Economic changes affecting the state and certain of its public bodies and municipalities may affect the ability of issuers within the state to pay interest on, or repay principal of, municipal obligations held by the fund.

(c) 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

26

 

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.

As of and during the period ended April 30, 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 April 30, 2021, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each tax year in the four-year period ended April 30, 2021 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

27

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

At April 30, 2021, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed tax-exempt income $308,038 and unrealized appreciation $8,301,769.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal periods ended April 30, 2021 and April 30, 2020 were as follows: tax–exempt income $2,782,106 and $3,149,964, and long-term capital gains $943,500 and $883,005, respectively.

During the period ended April 30, 2021, as a result of permanent book to tax differences, primarily due to the tax treatment for amortization adjustments, the fund increased total distributable earnings (loss) by $306,840 and decreased paid-in-capital by the same amount. Net assets and net asset value per share were not affected by this reclassification.

(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 London Interbank Offered Rate (“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 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

28

 

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 April 30, 2021, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.

NOTE 3—Management Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

(a) Pursuant to a management agreement with the Adviser, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .55% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. The Adviser has contractually agreed, from May 1, 2020 through September 1, 2021, to waive receipt of a portion of its management fee, in the amount of .10% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets. On or after September 1, 2021, the Adviser may terminate this waiver agreement at any time. The reduction in management fees, pursuant to the undertaking, amounted to $120,789 during the period ended April 30, 2021.

During the period ended April 30, 2021, the Distributor retained $518 from commissions earned on sales of the fund’s Class A shares.

(b) Under the Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, Class C shares pay the Distributor for distributing its shares at an annual rate of .75% of the value of its average daily net assets. During the period ended April 30, 2021, Class C shares were charged $8,941 pursuant to the Distribution Plan.

(c) Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class A and Class C shares pay the Distributor at an annual rate of .25% of the value of their average daily net assets for the provision of certain services. The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the fund and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The Distributor may make payments to Service Agents (securities dealers, financial institutions or other industry professionals) with respect to these services. The Distributor determines the amounts to be paid to Service Agents. During the period ended April

29

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

30, 2021, Class A and Class C shares were charged $216,709 and $2,980, respectively, pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

Under the Shareholder Services Plan, Class Z shares reimburse the Distributor at an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25% of the value of Class Z shares’ average daily net assets for the provision of certain services. The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding Class Z shares and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. During the period ended April 30, 2021, Class Z shares were charged $0 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

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 April 30, 2021, the fund was charged $26,624 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 April 30, 2021, the fund was charged $2,787 pursuant to the custody agreement. These fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $2,593.

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 April 30, 2021, the fund was charged $1,271 pursuant to the agreement, which is included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.

30

 

During the period ended April 30, 2021, the fund was charged $15,021 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 $55,116, Distribution Plan fees of $528, Shareholder Services Plan fees of $18,361, custodian fees of $994, Chief Compliance Officer fees of $5,242 and transfer agency fees of $4,531, which are offset against an expense reimbursement currently in effect in the amount of $10,032.

(d) 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.

NOTE 4—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities, during the period ended April 30, 2021, amounted to $5,660,461 and $8,467,286, respectively.

At April 30, 2021, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $111,355,392; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $8,301,769, consisting of $8,313,897 gross unrealized appreciation and $12,128 gross unrealized depreciation.

31

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of BNY Mellon Pennsylvania Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of BNY Mellon Pennsylvania Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds), including the statement of investments, as of April 30, 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 (one of the funds constituting BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds) at April 30, 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 April 30, 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
June 24, 2021

32

 

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 April 30, 2021 as “exempt-interest dividends” (not subject to regular federal income tax, and for individuals who are Pennsylvania residents, Pennsylvania personal income taxes). 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. The fund also hereby reports $.1312 per share as a long-term capital gain distribution paid on December 23, 2020.

33

 

BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)

INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS

Joseph S. DiMartino (77)

Chairman of the Board (1995)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Director or 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: 106

———————

Francine J. Bovich (69)

Board Member (2012)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Trustee, The Bradley Trusts, private trust funds (2011-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· Annaly Capital Management, Inc., a real estate investment trust, Director (2014-Present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 63

———————

Peggy C. Davis (78)

Board Member (1990)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Shad Professor of Law, New York University School of Law (1983-present)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 38

———————

Nathan Leventhal (78)

Board Member (1989)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· President Emeritus of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (2001-Present)

· President of the Palm Beach Opera (2016-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

· Movado Group, Inc., a public company that designs, markets and distributes watches, Director (2003-2020)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 42

———————

34

 

Robin A. Melvin (57)

Board Member (2012)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

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

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

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 85

———————

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 Member 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.

Clifford L. Alexander, Jr., Emeritus Board Member
Diane Dunst, Emeritus Board Member
Ernest Kafka, Emeritus Board Member

35

 

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 61 investment companies (comprised of 114 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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.

BENNETT A. MACDOUGALL, Chief Legal Officer since October 2015.

Chief Legal Officer of the Adviser and Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of BNY Mellon. He is an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 49 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since June 2015.

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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 30 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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.

PETER M. SULLIVAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2019.

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2020; Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from March 2009 to December 2020, and an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the the Adviser or an affiliate of the the Adviser. He is 53 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since April 2004.

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

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2019; Counsel of BNY Mellon from May 2016 to December 2019; Assistant Secretary of the Adviser since 2018; Attorney at Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund/Wildermuth Advisory, LLC from November 2015 to May 2016. She is an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 35 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since May 2016.

36

 

GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005.

Tax Manager-BNY Mellon Fund Administration, and an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 52 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 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since December 2002.

Senior Accounting Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration, and an officer of 62 investment companies (comprised of 137 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 Adviser, the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust (61 investment companies, comprised of 129 portfolios). He is 63 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 55 investment companies (comprised of 130 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 52 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since 1997.

37

 

For More Information

BNY Mellon State Municipal Bond Funds, BNY Mellon Pennsylvania Fund

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Adviser

BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

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 Symbols:

Class A: PTPAX      Class C: PPACX       Class Z: DPENX

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
0058AR0421

 

 

 
 

 

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 Joseph S. DiMartino, 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. DiMartino 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 $112,482 in 2020 and $106,482 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 $28,725 in 2020 and $56,667 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 $9,530 in 2020 and $16,107 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, were $1,324 in 2020 and $1,402 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 $807,171 in 2020 and $2,335,215 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 State Municipal Bond Funds

By: /s/ David DiPetrillo
         David DiPetrillo
         President (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: June 22, 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: June 22, 2021

 

By: /s/ James Windels
         James Windels
        Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

Date: June 22, 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)