N-CSR 1 lp1-021.htm ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

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

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-04765
   
  BNY Mellon New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund  
  (Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)  
     
 

 

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

 
  (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip code)  
     
 

Deirdre Cunnane, Esq.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

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

Date of fiscal year end:

 

11/30  
Date of reporting period:

11/30/23

 

 

 

 
             
 
 

FORM N-CSR

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

BNY Mellon New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund

 

ANNUAL REPORT

November 30, 2023

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE – UPCOMING CHANGES TO ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has adopted rule and form amendments that will result in changes to the design and delivery of annual and semi-annual fund reports (“Reports”). Beginning in July 2024, Reports will be streamlined to highlight key information. Certain information currently included in Reports, including financial statements, will no longer appear in the Reports but will be available online, delivered free of charge to shareholders upon request, and filed with the SEC.

If you previously elected to receive the fund’s Reports electronically, you will continue to do so. Otherwise, you will receive paper copies of the fund’s re-designed Reports by USPS mail in the future. If you would like to receive the fund’s Reports (and/or other communications) electronically instead of by mail, please contact your financial advisor or, if you are a direct investor, please log into your mutual fund account at www.bnymellonim.com/us and select “E-Delivery” under the Profile page. You must be registered for online account access before you can enroll in E-Delivery.

 

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

19

Statement of Operations

20

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

21

Financial Highlights

23

Notes to Financial Statements

27

Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

37

Additional Information

38

Important Tax Information

44

Proxy Results

45

Information About the Renewal of the
Fund’s Management and
Sub-Investment Advisory Agreements

46

Board Members Information

51

Officers of the Fund

53

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)

For the period from December 1, 2022, through November 30, 2023, as provided by Thomas Casey and Daniel Rabasco, portfolio managers employed by the fund’s sub-adviser, Insight North America LLC.

Market and Fund Performance Overview

For the 12-month period ended November 30, 2023, BNY Mellon New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund’s (the “fund”) Class A shares produced a total return of 3.72%, Class C shares returned 3.02%, Class I shares returned 3.98% and Class Y shares returned 4.17%.1 In comparison, the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”), the fund’s benchmark index, which is composed of bonds issued nationally and not solely within New York, provided a total return of 4.28% for the same period.2

Municipal bonds posted gains during the reporting period. The fund lagged the Index mainly due to an overweight to higher-quality bonds.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks to maximize current income exempt from federal, New York State and New York City income taxes to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital. 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, New York State and New York City income taxes, and the federal alternative minimum tax. 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 the fund’s sub-adviser, Insight North America LLC (“INA”). 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 INA. The dollar-weighted, average maturity of the fund’s portfolio normally exceeds ten years, but the fund may invest without regard to maturity. A bond’s maturity is the length of time until the principal must be fully repaid with interest. Dollar-weighted, average maturity is an average of the stated maturities of the securities held by the fund, based on their dollar-weighted proportions in the fund.

We focus on identifying undervalued sectors and securities. To select municipal bonds for the fund, we estimate and analyze the relative value of various sectors and securities and may actively trade among sectors and securities based on this analysis.

Market Rebounds Late in the Period

The municipal bond market remained roughly flat through the first half of the reporting period, but the Fed’s rate hike in July 2023, a rise in inflation in August and the Fed’s reiteration of its “higher-for-longer” stance caused the market to decline. But the market rebounded strongly in November 2023 as investors increasingly began to anticipate the end of the Fed’s tightening cycle, capitalizing on attractive yields.

Early in the period, the municipal bond market experienced volatility driven by economic uncertainty, high inflation and geopolitical risk. While employment remained strong, the outcome of the Fed’s tightening policy was uncertain, with investors fearing that an economic slowdown was becoming more likely. The Fed raised the federal funds rates five times between December 1, 2022 and November 30, 2023, bringing the federal funds target

2

 

rate from 3.75%–4.00% to 5.25%–5.50%. Though inflation eased during the period, it remained above the Fed’s 2% target rate.

Despite the rate increases, the U.S. economy surprised investors by continuing to avoid a long-anticipated recession. The economic growth of 2022 continued into 2023, expanding by 2.2% in the first quarter, 2.1% in the second quarter and 5.2% in the third quarter.

As a result of higher-than-expected inflation early in the period and the Fed’s efforts to combat it, municipal bond mutual funds experienced significant outflows through much of the reporting period. The need for fund managers to meet redemptions only added to the downward momentum. For a time, the stalemate in Congress over the federal debt ceiling also gave investors pause as the outcome appeared uncertain. Nevertheless, the normal seasonal decline in supply, combined with the seasonal reinvestment of maturing bonds, buoyed the market.

Finally, after a few difficult months, the municipal bond market rallied strongly in November 2023 as both institutional and retail investors increasingly recognized the market’s solid fundamentals and attractive yields. Historically, the municipal bond market has performed well when the Fed has ended a tightening cycle, and that appeared to be driving the market again. In addition, constrained supply and a flight to quality resulting from an uncertain geopolitical environment also provided support.

Higher-Quality Sectors Hindered Performance

The fund generated a strong absolute performance during the period but lagged somewhat on a relative basis. An overweight to higher-quality revenue bond sectors, including special tax and education, detracted from relative returns. In addition, the fund’s holdings of New York City general obligation bonds hindered performance somewhat.

On the other hand, a variety of factors contributed positively to the fund’s returns versus the Index. A relatively long duration and emphasis on the long end of the curve added significantly as declining interest rates benefited the performance of longer maturities. Allocation decisions were also advantageous. An overweight to revenue bonds added to relative returns, especially in the more income-oriented sectors, including tobacco, hospital & health care, airports and transportation. Security selection was beneficial as well. Selections in the tobacco sector and positions in the New York State Thruway and the Long Island Power Authority were particularly advantageous. The fund did not use derivatives during the reporting period.

A Favorable Environment

A range of factors bode well for the municipal bond market. Historically, the market has performed well when the Fed has ended a rate-hiking cycle, and the market appears to be at that point again. The Fed opted not to raise rates late in 2023 as inflation has continued to decline, and the Fed’s “dot plot” showing the future path of the federal funds rate shows a reduction in rates could occur in mid-2024. Also favoring the market are the solid fundamentals, which have helped fuel the recent rebound. State and local issuers generally remain flush with cash, assisted by robust tax revenues stemming from a relatively strong economy and resilient residential real estate values. Finally, should the economy weaken in the near term, municipal bonds are likely to benefit if the stock market weakens.

3

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited) (continued)

As for the fund, we have positioned it to withstand a potential economic slowdown. While general obligation bonds are positively correlated with the economy, revenue bonds tend to be less cyclical. Accordingly, we remain well-diversified across the revenue bond sector and are positioned to benefit from its relative resilience if a downturn occurs. In that event, we also believe the market will benefit as investors again see the diversification advantages of an allocation to the municipal bond market.

December 15, 2023

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 and Class Y 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 for non-New York residents. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable.

The fund’s returns reflect the absorption of certain fund expenses by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. pursuant to an agreement in effect through March 31, 2024, 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 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 securities 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 securities. Other factors include the general conditions of the municipal securities 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.

4

 

FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)

Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares, Class C shares and Class I shares of BNY Mellon New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund with a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”).

 Source: Lipper Inc.

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.

The above graph compares a hypothetical investment of $10,000 made in each of the Class A shares, Class C shares and Class I shares of BNY Mellon New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund on 11/30/13 to a hypothetical investment $10,000 made in the Index on that date. All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

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

5

 

FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited) (continued)

Comparison of change in value of a $1,000,000 investment in Class Y shares of BNY Mellon New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund with a hypothetical investment of $1,000,000 in the Bloomberg U.S. Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”).

 Source: Lipper Inc.

Past performance is not predictive of future performance.

The above graph compares a hypothetical investment of $1,000,000 made in Class Y shares of BNY Mellon New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund on 11/30/13 to a hypothetical investment $1,000,000 made in the Index on that date. All dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested.

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

6

 

        

Average Annual Total Returns as of 11/30/2023

        

 

  

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years 

Class A shares

       

with maximum sales charge (4.50%)

  

-.97%

.44%

 

1.72%

 

without sales charge

  

3.72%

1.38%

 

2.19%

 

Class C shares

       

with applicable redemption charge

  

2.02%

.60%

 

1.42%

 

without redemption

  

3.02%

.60%

 

1.42%

 

Class I shares

  

3.98%

1.63%

 

2.44%

 

Class Y shares

  

4.17%

1.60%

 

2.41%

 

Bloomberg U.S.
Municipal Bond Index

  

4.28%

2.03%

 

2.77%

 

 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 graphs 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.

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 New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund from June 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023. 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 November 30, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class Y

 

Expenses paid per $1,000

$3.94

$7.67

$2.73

$2.73

 

Ending value (after expenses)

$1,016.40

$1,013.30

$1,017.60

$1,018.50

 

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 November 30, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class Y

 

Expenses paid per $1,000

$3.95

$7.69

$2.74

$2.74

 

Ending value (after expenses)

$1,021.16

$1,017.45

$1,022.36

$1,022.36

 

Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio of .78% for Class A, 1.52% for Class C, .54% for Class I and .54% for Class Y, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

8

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

November 30, 2023

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8%

     

New York - 98.3%

     

Albany Capital Resource Corp., Revenue Bonds (Equitable School Revolving Fund Obligated Group) Ser. D

 

4.00

 

11/1/2051

 

3,125,000

 

2,777,248

 

Brookhaven Local Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (Jefferson's Ferry Project) Ser. B

 

4.00

 

11/1/2045

 

1,410,000

 

1,148,746

 

Broome County Local Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Good Shepherd Village at Endwell Obligated Group)

 

4.00

 

7/1/2047

 

1,160,000

 

810,399

 

Broome County Local Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (United Health Services Hospitals Obligated Group) (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.)

 

4.00

 

4/1/2050

 

1,000,000

 

917,720

 

Build New York City Resource Corp., Revenue Bonds (Classical Charter School Project)

 

4.50

 

6/15/2043

 

700,000

 

672,272

 

Build New York City Resource Corp., Revenue Bonds (NY Preparatory Charter School Project) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

6/15/2051

 

500,000

a 

361,301

 

Build New York City Resource Corp., Revenue Bonds (NY Preparatory Charter School Project) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

6/15/2041

 

525,000

a 

421,364

 

Build New York City Resource Corp., Revenue Bonds (Sustainable Bond) (KIPP NYC Public Charter Schools)

 

5.25

 

7/1/2057

 

2,000,000

 

2,051,513

 

Glen Cove Local Economic Assistance Corp., Revenue Bonds (Garvies Point Public Improvement Project) Ser. B

 

0.00

 

1/1/2045

 

5,900,000

b 

1,567,255

 

Hempstead Town Local Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Molloy College Project)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2034

 

810,000

 

824,819

 

Hudson Yards Infrastructure Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

2/15/2039

 

2,000,000

 

2,074,177

 

Long Island Power Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

9/1/2047

 

1,000,000

 

1,028,334

 

Long Island Power Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

9/1/2039

 

3,000,000

 

3,018,071

 

Long Island Power Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

9/1/2036

 

1,500,000

 

1,673,129

 

9

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8% (continued)

     

New York - 98.3% (continued)

     

Long Island Power Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

9/1/2034

 

1,500,000

 

1,514,013

 

Long Island Power Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

9/1/2036

 

1,000,000

 

1,032,861

 

Long Island Power Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

9/1/2037

 

1,700,000

 

1,723,713

 

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

 

5.00

 

11/15/2037

 

1,750,000

 

1,784,782

 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. C1

 

5.00

 

11/15/2034

 

2,260,000

 

2,306,613

 

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

 

5.00

 

11/15/2043

 

1,880,000

 

1,880,055

 

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

 

5.00

 

11/15/2043

 

4,330,000

 

4,336,927

 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. C

 

5.00

 

11/15/2030

 

5,000,000

 

5,038,959

 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. D1

 

5.25

 

11/15/2044

 

2,000,000

 

2,010,386

 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Hudson Rail Yards Trust Obligation, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/15/2051

 

5,000,000

 

4,969,030

 

Monroe County Industrial Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (The Rochester General Hospital)

 

5.00

 

12/1/2034

 

1,100,000

 

1,130,447

 

Monroe County Industrial Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (The Rochester General Hospital)

 

5.00

 

12/1/2035

 

1,150,000

 

1,179,017

 

Monroe County Industrial Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Rochester Regional Health Project)

 

4.00

 

12/1/2046

 

555,000

 

471,262

 

Monroe County Industrial Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (University of Rochester Project) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

7/1/2050

 

4,420,000

 

4,236,760

 

Monroe County Industrial Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (University of Rochester Project) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2036

 

1,000,000

 

1,054,442

 

New York City, GO, Refunding, Ser. C

 

5.00

 

8/1/2033

 

1,000,000

 

1,019,692

 

New York City, GO, Ser. A1

 

5.00

 

8/1/2037

 

3,500,000

 

3,625,481

 

10

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8% (continued)

     

New York - 98.3% (continued)

     

New York City, GO, Ser. C

 

4.00

 

8/1/2039

 

3,500,000

 

3,518,935

 

New York City, GO, Ser. D1

 

5.50

 

5/1/2046

 

1,250,000

 

1,398,385

 

New York City, GO, Ser. E1

 

4.00

 

4/1/2045

 

1,000,000

 

989,543

 

New York City, GO, Ser. F1

 

4.00

 

3/1/2047

 

1,000,000

 

977,373

 

New York City Housing Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (Sustainable Bond) Ser. C1A

 

4.00

 

11/1/2053

 

2,310,000

 

2,068,604

 

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

 

5.00

 

1/1/2031

 

1,250,000

 

1,379,073

 

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

 

4.00

 

3/1/2032

 

1,750,000

 

1,802,830

 

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

 

4.00

 

3/1/2045

 

1,000,000

 

959,067

 

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

4.00

 

6/15/2050

 

1,500,000

 

1,466,030

 

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. CC1

 

5.00

 

6/15/2038

 

3,595,000

 

3,764,089

 

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. CC2

 

4.00

 

6/15/2041

 

2,000,000

 

2,008,407

 

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. DD1

 

4.00

 

6/15/2050

 

2,500,000

 

2,443,384

 

New York City Transitional Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (Insured; State Aid Withholding) Ser. S1

 

5.00

 

7/15/2043

 

5,000,000

 

5,045,789

 

New York City Transitional Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (Insured; State Aid Withholding) Ser. S2

 

5.00

 

7/15/2040

 

3,000,000

 

3,049,723

 

11

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8% (continued)

     

New York - 98.3% (continued)

     

New York City Transitional Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (Insured; State Aid Withholding) Ser. S3

 

5.00

 

7/15/2043

 

2,000,000

 

2,090,702

 

New York City Transitional Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; State Aid Withholding) Ser. S2A

 

5.00

 

7/15/2034

 

1,500,000

 

1,622,157

 

New York City Transitional Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. E1

 

5.00

 

2/1/2040

 

4,000,000

 

4,094,287

 

New York Convention Center Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (Hotel Unit Fee) Ser. B

 

0.00

 

11/15/2046

 

4,000,000

b 

1,197,761

 

New York Convention Center Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Hotel Unit Fee)

 

5.00

 

11/15/2040

 

1,250,000

 

1,256,756

 

New York Liberty Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Bank of America Tower)

 

2.80

 

9/15/2069

 

1,000,000

 

886,134

 

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

 

5.00

 

11/15/2044

 

5,000,000

a 

4,873,154

 

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

 

5.25

 

10/1/2035

 

2,000,000

 

2,263,747

 

New York Power Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Sustainable Bond) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

11/15/2055

 

2,500,000

 

2,408,934

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds (Fordham University)

 

4.00

 

7/1/2046

 

1,000,000

 

968,499

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds (Rochester Institute of Technology) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2049

 

1,000,000

 

1,038,685

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2040

 

1,000,000

 

1,004,520

 

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

 

5.25

 

10/1/2050

 

1,000,000

 

1,081,432

 

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

 

4.00

 

10/1/2035

 

900,000

 

919,333

 

12

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8% (continued)

     

New York - 98.3% (continued)

     

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Montefiore Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

8/1/2035

 

2,800,000

 

2,873,911

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Montefiore Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

8/1/2034

 

1,010,000

 

1,038,487

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (New York University) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2045

 

3,540,000

 

3,612,248

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (NYU Hospitals Center)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2032

 

500,000

 

517,710

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (NYU Hospitals Center)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2034

 

2,500,000

 

2,509,470

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (St. John's University) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

7/1/2048

 

1,000,000

 

916,561

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The New School) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2041

 

1,000,000

 

1,045,386

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The New School) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2042

 

750,000

 

778,885

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

3/15/2049

 

1,935,000

 

1,870,188

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

5/1/2043

 

1,300,000

 

1,311,623

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2041

 

1,000,000

 

1,023,771

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. D

 

4.00

 

2/15/2038

 

1,500,000

 

1,514,807

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

3/15/2044

 

5,000,000

 

5,140,251

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

3/15/2044

 

1,000,000

 

1,001,668

 

New York State Dormitory Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. F

 

5.00

 

2/15/2039

 

2,000,000

 

2,022,476

 

13

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8% (continued)

     

New York - 98.3% (continued)

     

New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. C

 

4.00

 

4/1/2034

 

1,000,000

 

1,003,253

 

New York State Housing Finance Agency, Revenue Bonds (Sustainable Bond)

 

3.80

 

5/1/2029

 

2,000,000

c 

2,001,132

 

New York State Mortgage Agency, Revenue Bonds, Ser. 223

 

3.50

 

4/1/2049

 

360,000

 

354,709

 

New York State Thruway Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2046

 

1,000,000

 

1,012,420

 

New York State Urban Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (Personal Income Tax) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

3/15/2037

 

2,500,000

 

2,770,582

 

New York Transportation Development Corp., Revenue Bonds

 

4.00

 

10/31/2041

 

1,750,000

 

1,582,807

 

New York Transportation Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (Delta Air Lines)

 

4.00

 

1/1/2036

 

1,960,000

 

1,827,745

 

New York Transportation Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (Delta Air Lines)

 

4.38

 

10/1/2045

 

1,240,000

 

1,119,350

 

New York Transportation Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (Delta Air Lines)

 

5.00

 

10/1/2035

 

1,250,000

 

1,275,212

 

New York Transportation Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (JFK International Air Terminal)

 

5.00

 

12/1/2041

 

2,000,000

 

2,062,674

 

New York Transportation Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (JFK International Airport Terminal Project) (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.)

 

5.00

 

6/30/2049

 

1,000,000

 

1,007,482

 

New York Transportation Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (JFK International Air Terminal)

 

4.00

 

12/1/2042

 

1,500,000

 

1,417,414

 

New York Transportation Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (JFK International Air Terminal) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2033

 

1,450,000

 

1,537,361

 

Niagara Area Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Covanta Holding Project) Ser. B

 

3.50

 

11/1/2024

 

3,250,000

a 

3,194,455

 

Niagara Tobacco Asset Securitization Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.25

 

5/15/2040

 

1,750,000

 

1,750,119

 

14

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8% (continued)

     

New York - 98.3% (continued)

     

Niagara Tobacco Asset Securitization Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.25

 

5/15/2034

 

2,000,000

 

2,001,400

 

Oneida County Local Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (Mohawk Valley Health System Obligated Group) (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

12/1/2051

 

1,000,000

 

878,716

 

Oneida County Local Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Mohawk Valley Health System Obligated Group) (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.)

 

4.00

 

12/1/2049

 

1,000,000

 

886,858

 

Oyster Bay, GO, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. B

 

4.00

 

2/1/2033

 

3,000,000

 

3,034,428

 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Revenue Bonds, Refunding Ser. 237

 

5.00

 

1/15/2052

 

2,000,000

 

2,133,186

 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. 195th

 

5.00

 

4/1/2036

 

4,000,000

 

4,071,466

 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. 197

 

5.00

 

11/15/2033

 

4,000,000

 

4,115,486

 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Revenue Bonds, Ser. 184

 

5.00

 

9/1/2039

 

2,000,000

 

2,014,154

 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Revenue Bonds, Ser. 218

 

4.00

 

11/1/2047

 

1,000,000

 

937,371

 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Revenue Bonds, Ser. 221

 

5.00

 

7/15/2035

 

2,000,000

 

2,137,605

 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Revenue Bonds, Ser. 93rd

 

6.13

 

6/1/2094

 

1,955,000

 

1,972,519

 

Suffolk Tobacco Asset Securitization Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

4.00

 

6/1/2050

 

1,000,000

 

873,980

 

The New York City Trust for Cultural Resources, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The American Museum of Natural History) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2032

 

2,210,000

 

2,227,558

 

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

 

5.00

 

11/15/2046

 

3,500,000

 

3,569,966

 

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

 

5.25

 

11/15/2045

 

1,500,000

 

1,520,376

 

15

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8% (continued)

     

New York - 98.3% (continued)

     

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

 

5.00

 

11/15/2042

 

2,000,000

 

2,087,771

 

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

 

5.00

 

11/15/2049

 

1,000,000

 

1,058,026

 

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

 

5.00

 

11/15/2042

 

3,000,000

 

3,112,102

 

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

 

5.25

 

5/15/2057

 

2,500,000

 

2,709,901

 

Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. C1A

 

4.00

 

5/15/2046

 

1,500,000

 

1,476,418

 

TSASC, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

6/1/2041

 

2,500,000

 

2,507,922

 

TSASC, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

6/1/2045

 

1,220,000

 

1,083,154

 

Utility Debt Securitization Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

12/15/2035

 

2,500,000

 

2,573,398

 

Westchester County Local Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Miriam Osborn Memorial Home Association Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2029

 

250,000

 

261,520

 

Westchester County Local Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Miriam Osborn Memorial Home Association Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2027

 

270,000

 

280,690

 

Westchester County Local Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Purchase Senior Learning Community Obligated Group)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2046

 

1,800,000

a 

1,458,873

 

Westchester Tobacco Asset Securitization Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

6/1/2041

 

1,500,000

 

1,523,349

 

Western Nassau County Water Authority, Revenue Bonds (Green Bonds) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

4/1/2046

 

1,000,000

 

972,019

 

Yonkers Economic Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (Charter School of Educational Excellence Project) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/15/2039

 

420,000

 

392,034

 
 

220,204,524

 

16

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 98.8% (continued)

     

U.S. Related - .5%

     

Puerto Rico, GO, Ser. A1

 

5.63

 

7/1/2027

 

1,000,000

 

1,045,124

 

Total Investments (cost $232,105,669)

 

98.8%

221,249,648

 

Cash and Receivables (Net)

 

1.2%

2,680,893

 

Net Assets

 

100.0%

223,930,541

 

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 November 30, 2023, these securities were valued at $10,309,147 or 4.6% of net assets.

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

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

  

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)

Value (%)

General

18.4

Transportation

15.5

Education

10.8

Development

10.6

Airport

10.4

General Obligation

7.0

Medical

6.6

Water

4.7

Utilities

4.5

Tobacco Settlement

4.3

Power

2.2

Multifamily Housing

1.8

Nursing Homes

1.8

Single Family Housing

.2

 

98.8

 Based on net assets.

See notes to financial statements.

17

 

    
 

Summary of Abbreviations (Unaudited)

 

ABAG

Association of Bay Area Governments

AGC

ACE Guaranty Corporation

AGIC

Asset Guaranty Insurance Company

AMBAC

American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation

BAN

Bond Anticipation Notes

BSBY

Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index

CIFG

CDC Ixis Financial Guaranty

COP

Certificate of Participation

CP

Commercial Paper

DRIVERS

Derivative Inverse Tax-Exempt Receipts

EFFR

Effective Federal Funds Rate

FGIC

Financial Guaranty Insurance Company

FHA

Federal Housing Administration

FHLB

Federal Home Loan Bank

FHLMC

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

FNMA

Federal National Mortgage Association

GAN

Grant Anticipation Notes

GIC

Guaranteed Investment Contract

GNMA

Government National Mortgage Association

GO

General Obligation

IDC

Industrial Development Corporation

LIBOR

London Interbank Offered Rate

LOC

Letter of Credit

LR

Lease Revenue

NAN

Note Anticipation Notes

MFHR

Multi-Family Housing Revenue

MFMR

Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue

MUNIPSA

Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index Yield

OBFR

Overnight Bank Funding Rate

PILOT

Payment in Lieu of Taxes

PRIME

Prime Lending Rate

PUTTERS

Puttable Tax-Exempt Receipts

RAC

Revenue Anticipation Certificates

RAN

Revenue Anticipation Notes

RIB

Residual Interest Bonds

SFHR

Single Family Housing Revenue

SFMR

Single Family Mortgage Revenue

SOFR

Secured Overnight Financing Rate

TAN

Tax Anticipation Notes

TRAN

Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes

TSFR

Term Secured Overnight
Financing Rate

U.S. T-BILL

U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield

XLCA

XL Capital Assurance

  
    

See notes to financial statements.

18

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

November 30, 2023

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Value

 

Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments

232,105,669

 

221,249,648

 

Cash

 

 

 

 

1,129,935

 

Interest receivable

 

2,666,318

 

Receivable for shares of Beneficial Interest subscribed

 

249,986

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

 

 

38,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

225,334,480

 

Liabilities ($):

 

 

 

 

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

 

125,202

 

Payable for investment securities purchased

 

992,820

 

Payable for shares of Beneficial Interest redeemed

 

203,346

 

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

 

1,844

 

Other accrued expenses

 

 

 

 

80,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,403,939

 

Net Assets ($)

 

 

223,930,541

 

Composition of Net Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

238,150,082

 

Total distributable earnings (loss)

 

 

 

 

(14,219,541)

 

Net Assets ($)

 

 

223,930,541

 

      

Net Asset Value Per Share

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class Y

 

Net Assets ($)

191,608,149

2,717,702

29,603,769

920.82

 

Shares Outstanding

14,262,330

202,261

2,203,781

68.49

 

Net Asset Value Per Share ($)

13.43

13.44

13.43

13.44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended November 30, 2023

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income ($):

 

 

 

 

Interest Income

 

 

7,963,664

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

Management fee—Note 3(a)

 

 

1,041,898

 

Shareholder servicing costs—Note 3(c)

 

 

596,425

 

Interest and expense related to inverse
floater notes issued—Note 4

 

 

112,456

 

Professional fees

 

 

104,242

 

Registration fees

 

 

54,933

 

Trustees’ fees and expenses—Note 3(d)

 

 

28,907

 

Distribution fees—Note 3(b)

 

 

27,501

 

Prospectus and shareholders’ reports

 

 

25,432

 

Chief Compliance Officer fees—Note 3(c)

 

 

20,711

 

Loan commitment fees—Note 2

 

 

5,850

 

Custodian fees—Note 3(c)

 

 

3,404

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

36,957

 

Total Expenses

 

 

2,058,716

 

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

 

 

(143,473)

 

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

 

 

(38,622)

 

Net Expenses

 

 

1,876,621

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

6,087,043

 

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

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

(1,358,270)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

3,657,935

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

 

 

2,299,665

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

8,386,708

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

     

20

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

          

 

 

 

 

Year Ended November 30,

 

 

 

 

2023

 

2022

 

Operations ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

6,087,043

 

 

 

6,463,332

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

 

(1,358,270)

 

 

 

(2,143,418)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on investments

 

3,657,935

 

 

 

(34,997,671)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
Resulting from Operations

8,386,708

 

 

 

(30,677,757)

 

Distributions ($):

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

(5,068,926)

 

 

 

(5,594,903)

 

Class C

 

 

(67,413)

 

 

 

(105,089)

 

Class I

 

 

(941,595)

 

 

 

(1,571,741)

 

Class Y

 

 

(28)

 

 

 

(2,437)

 

Total Distributions

 

 

(6,077,962)

 

 

 

(7,274,170)

 

Beneficial Interest Transactions ($):

 

Net proceeds from shares sold:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

17,235,288

 

 

 

13,735,100

 

Class C

 

 

114,719

 

 

 

648,886

 

Class I

 

 

9,827,380

 

 

 

14,094,898

 

Distributions reinvested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

4,268,314

 

 

 

4,655,479

 

Class C

 

 

67,412

 

 

 

104,998

 

Class I

 

 

924,086

 

 

 

1,560,763

 

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

(23,717,322)

 

 

 

(25,358,982)

 

Class C

 

 

(2,325,691)

 

 

 

(1,273,267)

 

Class I

 

 

(18,507,565)

 

 

 

(43,919,255)

 

Class Y

 

 

-

 

 

 

(302,841)

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
from Beneficial Interest Transactions

(12,113,379)

 

 

 

(36,054,221)

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

(9,804,633)

 

 

 

(74,006,148)

 

Net Assets ($):

 

Beginning of Period

 

 

233,735,174

 

 

 

307,741,322

 

End of Period

 

 

223,930,541

 

 

 

233,735,174

 

21

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

          

 

 

 

 

Year Ended November 30,

 

 

 

 

2023

 

2022

 

Capital Share Transactions (Shares):

 

Class A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

1,287,472

 

 

 

979,990

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

320,464

 

 

 

334,753

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(1,778,205)

 

 

 

(1,836,771)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(170,269)

 

 

 

(522,028)

 

Class C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

8,582

 

 

 

47,266

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

5,054

 

 

 

7,533

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(174,056)

 

 

 

(91,999)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(160,420)

 

 

 

(37,200)

 

Class I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares sold

 

 

735,328

 

 

 

1,009,588

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

69,363

 

 

 

111,414

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

(1,391,644)

 

 

 

(3,157,794)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

(586,953)

 

 

 

(2,036,792)

 

Class Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares redeemed

 

 

-

 

 

 

(20,743)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

-

 

 

 

(20,743)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

        

22

 

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 November 30,

 

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Per Share Data ($):

      

Net asset value,
beginning of period

 

13.29

15.23

15.22

15.16

14.35

Investment Operations:

      

Net investment incomea

 

.35

.34

.33

.37

.38

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

 

.14

(1.90)

.12

.09

.81

Total from Investment Operations

 

.49

(1.56)

.45

.46

1.19

Distributions:

     

 

Dividends from
net investment income

 

(.35)

(.34)

(.33)

(.37)

(.38)

Dividends from net realized
gain on investments

 

-

(.04)

(.11)

(.03)

-

Total Distributions

 

(.35)

(.38)

(.44)

(.40)

(.38)

Net asset value, end of period

 

13.43

13.29

15.23

15.22

15.16

Total Return (%)b

 

3.72

(10.33)

3.03

3.09

8.37

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

      

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

 

.91

.96

.94

.97

.98

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

 

.83

.84

.84

.87

.96

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

 

.05

.05

.02

.04

.07

Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets

 

2.61

2.43

2.18

2.46

2.56

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

10.20

7.49

7.88

13.63

9.24

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

 

191,608

191,825

227,800

233,774

238,353

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Exclusive of sales charge.

See notes to financial statements.

23

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

        
    
   

Class C Shares

 

Year Ended November 30,

 

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Per Share Data ($):

      

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

13.29

15.23

15.22

15.16

14.36

Investment Operations:

      

Net investment incomea

 

.25

.23

.21

.26

.27

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

 

.15

(1.90)

.12

.08

.80

Total from Investment Operations

 

.40

(1.67)

.33

.34

1.07

Distributions:

      

Dividends from
net investment income

 

(.25)

(.23)

(.21)

(.25)

(.27)

Dividends from net realized
gain on investments

 

-

(.04)

(.11)

(.03)

-

Total Distributions

 

(.25)

(.27)

(.32)

(.28)

(.27)

Net asset value, end of period

 

13.44

13.29

15.23

15.22

15.16

Total Return (%)b

 

3.02

(11.07)

2.30

2.30

7.48

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

      

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

 

1.71

1.75

1.72

1.73

1.75

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

 

1.59

1.60

1.62

1.63

1.72

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

 

.05

.05

.02

.04

.07

Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets

 

1.85

1.66

1.41

1.70

1.80

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

10.20

7.49

7.88

13.63

9.24

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

 

2,718

4,821

6,092

9,745

16,217

a Based on average shares outstanding.

b Exclusive of sales charge.

See notes to financial statements.

24

 

        
    
   

Class I Shares

 

Year Ended November 30,

 

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Per Share Data ($):

      

Net asset value,
beginning of period

 

13.29

15.23

15.22

15.16

14.35

Investment Operations:

      

Net investment incomea

 

.38

.37

.37

.41

.42

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

 

.14

(1.90)

.12

.09

.81

Total from Investment Operations

 

.52

(1.53)

.49

.50

1.23

Distributions:

     

 

Dividends from
net investment income

 

(.38)

(.37)

(.37)

(.41)

(.42)

Dividends from net realized
gain on investments

 

-

(.04)

(.11)

(.03)

-

Total Distributions

 

(.38)

(.41)

(.48)

(.44)

(.42)

Net asset value, end of period

 

13.43

13.29

15.23

15.22

15.16

Total Return (%)

 

3.98

(10.10)

3.29

3.41

8.56

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

      

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

 

.68

.73

.70

.72

.75

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

 

.59

.59

.60

.62

.72

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

 

.05

.05

.02

.04

.07

Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets

 

2.86

2.67

2.42

2.70

2.79

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

10.20

7.49

7.88

13.63

9.24

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

 

29,604

37,088

73,532

61,536

61,051

a Based on average shares outstanding.

See notes to financial statements.

25

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

        
    
   

Class Y Shares

 

Year Ended November 30,

 

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Per Share Data ($):

      

Net asset value,
beginning of period

 

13.30

15.24

15.22

15.16

14.36

Investment Operations:

      

Net investment incomea

 

.38

.37

.37

.41

.43

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

 

.17

(1.94)

.13

.09

.78

Total from Investment Operations

 

.55

(1.57)

.50

.50

1.21

Distributions:

      

Dividends from
net investment income

 

(.41)

(.33)

(.37)

(.41)

(.41)

Dividends from net realized
gain on investments

 

-

(.04)

(.11)

(.03)

-

Total Distributions

 

(.41)

(.37)

(.48)

(.44)

(.41)

Net asset value, end of period

 

13.44

13.30

15.24

15.22

15.16

Total Return (%)

 

4.17

(10.38)

3.38

3.37

8.48

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

      

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

 

.68

.73

.67

.70

.76

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

 

.59

.59

.57

.60

.68

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

 

.05

.05

.02

.04

.07

Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets

 

2.86

2.68

2.45

2.74

2.90

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

10.20

7.49

7.88

13.63

9.24

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

 

1

1

317

317

316

a Based on average shares outstanding.

See notes to financial statements.

26

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

BNY Mellon New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund (the “fund”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), is a non-diversified open–end management investment company. The fund’s investment objective is to seek to maximize current income exempt from federal, New York state and New York city income taxes to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital. 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. Insight North America LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as the fund’s sub-adviser.

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 and Class Y. Class A and Class C shares are sold primarily to retail investors through financial intermediaries and bear Distribution and/or Shareholder Services Plan fees. 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 $250,000 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 I shares are sold primarily to bank trust departments and other financial service providers (including BNY Mellon and its affiliates), acting on behalf of customers having a qualified trust or an investment account or relationship at such institution, and bear no Distribution or Shareholder Services Plan fees. Class Y shares are sold at net asset value per share generally to institutional investors, and bear no Distribution or Shareholder Services Plan fees. Class I and Class Y shares are offered without a front-end sales charge or CDSC. 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.

27

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

As of November 30, 2023, MBC Investments Corporation, an indirect subsidiary of BNY Mellon, held all of the outstanding Class Y shares of the fund.

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 fund 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).

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.).

28

 

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:

The fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has designated the Adviser as the fund’s valuation designee to make all fair value determinations with respect to the fund’s portfolio investments, subject to the Board’s oversight and pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Act.

Investments in municipal 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). Municipal 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. The Service is engaged under the general oversight of the Board. All of the preceding securities are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

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.

29

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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 November 30, 2023 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

-

221,249,648

 

-

221,249,648

 

 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) Market Risk: The value of the securities in which the fund invests may be affected by political, regulatory, economic and social developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market. 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.

Municipal Securities Risk: The amount of public information available about municipal securities is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds. Special factors, such as legislative changes, and state and local

30

 

economic and business developments, may adversely affect the yield and/or value of the fund’s investments in municipal securities. Other factors include the general conditions of the municipal securities 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, territory or possession of the United States in which the fund invests may have an impact on the fund’s share price. Any such credit impairment could adversely impact the value of their bonds, which could negatively impact the performance of the fund.

Non-Diversification Risk: The fund is non-diversified, which means that the fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. Therefore, the fund’s performance may be more vulnerable to changes in the market value of a single issuer or group of issuers and more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a diversified fund.

(d) Dividends and distributions to shareholders: It is the policy of the fund to declare dividends daily from net investment income. 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 November 30, 2023, 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 November 30, 2023, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each tax year in the four-year period ended November 30, 2023 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

31

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

At November 30, 2023, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows: undistributed tax-exempt income $140,392, accumulated capital losses $3,525,424 and unrealized depreciation $10,834,509.

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 November 30, 2023. The fund has $2,204,991 of short-term capital losses and $1,320,433 of long-term capital losses which can be carried forward for an unlimited period.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2023 and November 30, 2022 were as follows: tax-exempt income $6,077,962 and $6,482,954, and long-term capital gains $0 and $791,216, respectively.

NOTE 2—Bank Lines of Credit:

The fund participates with other long-term open-end funds managed by the Adviser in a $738 million unsecured credit facility led by Citibank, N.A. (the “Citibank Credit Facility”) and a $300 million unsecured credit facility provided by BNY Mellon (the “BNYM Credit Facility”), 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 $618 million and is available to all long-term open-ended funds, including the fund, and (ii) Tranche B is an amount equal to $120 million and is available only to BNY Mellon Floating Rate Income Fund, a series of BNY Mellon Investment Funds IV, Inc. Prior to September 27, 2023, the Citibank Credit Facility was $823.5 million with Tranche A available in an amount equal to $688.5 million and Tranche B available in an amount equal to $135 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 November 30, 2023, the fund did not borrow under the Facilities.

32

 

NOTE 3—Management Fee, Sub-Advisory 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 .45% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. The Adviser has contractually agreed, from December 1, 2022 through March 31, 2024, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the direct expenses of the fund so that the direct expenses of none of the fund’s share classes (excluding Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan fees, Shareholder Services Plan fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) exceed .55% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets. On or after March 31, 2024, the Adviser may terminate this expense limitation at any time. The reduction in expenses, pursuant to the undertakings, amounted to $143,473 during the period ended November 30, 2023.

Pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, the Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a monthly fee at an annual rate of .216% of the value of the fund’s average daily net assets.

During the period ended November 30, 2023, the Distributor retained $63 from commissions earned on sales of the fund’s Class A shares and $288 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. The Distributor may pay one or more Service Agents in respect of advertising, marketing and other distribution services, and determines the amounts, if any, to be paid to Service Agents and the basis on which such payments are made. During the period ended November 30, 2023, Class C shares were charged $27,501 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 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 November 30, 2023, Class A and Class C shares were

33

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

charged $486,987 and $9,167, respectively, pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.

The fund has arrangements with BNY Mellon Transfer, Inc., (the “Transfer Agent”) and The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”), both a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of the Adviser, whereby the fund may receive earnings credits when positive cash balances are maintained, which are used to offset Transfer Agent and Custodian fees. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes transfer agent net earnings credits, if any, and custody net earnings credits, if any, as an expense offset in the Statement of Operations.

The fund compensates the Transfer Agent, under a transfer agency agreement, for providing transfer agency and cash management services for the fund. The majority of Transfer Agent 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 November 30, 2023, the fund was charged $43,881 for transfer agency services. These fees are included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations. These fees were partially offset by earnings credits of $35,218.

The fund compensates the Custodian, 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 November 30, 2023, the fund was charged $3,404 pursuant to the custody agreement. These fees were offset by earnings credits of $3,404.

The fund compensates the Custodian, under a shareholder redemption draft processing agreement, for providing certain services related to the fund’s check writing privilege. During the period ended November 30, 2023, the fund was charged $2,782 pursuant to the agreement, which is included in Shareholder servicing costs in the Statement of Operations.

During the period ended November 30, 2023, the fund was charged $20,711 for services performed by the fund’s 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 fee of $81,310, Distribution Plan fees of $1,685, Shareholder Services Plan fees of $39,152, Custodian fees of $1,938, Chief Compliance Officer fees of $3,438 and Transfer Agent fees of $10,614, which are offset against an expense reimbursement currently in effect in the amount of $12,935.

34

 

(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 November 30, 2023, amounted to $23,208,231 and $30,502,051, respectively.

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

The fund accounts for the transfer of bonds to the Inverse Floater Trust as secured borrowings, with the securities transferred remaining in the fund’s investments, and the Trust Certificates reflected as fund liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. At November 30, 2023, there were no inverse floater securities outstanding.

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

35

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

typically enters into a reimbursement agreement with the Liquidity Provider where the fund is required to repay the Liquidity Provider the amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, a fund investing in a recourse inverse floater security bears the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall.

The average amount of borrowings outstanding under the inverse floater structure during the period ended November 30, 2023 was approximately $3,102,740, with a related weighted average annualized interest rate of 3.62%.

At November 30, 2023, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $232,084,157; accordingly, accumulated net unrealized depreciation on investments was $10,834,509, consisting of $197,369 gross unrealized appreciation and $11,031,878 gross unrealized depreciation.

NOTE 5—Plan of Reorganization:

The Board has approved, subject to shareholder approval, an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Agreement”) between the fund and BNY Mellon New York Tax Exempt Bond Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), providing for the Acquired Fund to merge into the fund as part of a tax-free reorganization. The Agreement provides for the transfer of the Acquired Fund’s assets to the fund in a tax-free exchange for Class Z shares of the fund and the assumption by the fund of the stated liabilities of the Acquired Fund, the distribution of Class Z shares of the fund to Acquired Fund shareholders and the subsequent termination of the Acquired Fund (the “Reorganization”).

It is currently contemplated that shareholders of the Acquired Fund as of December 15, 2023 (the “Record Date”) were asked to approve the Agreement on behalf of the Acquired Fund at a special meeting of shareholders to be held on or about March 7, 2024. If the Agreement is approved, the Reorganization will be consummated on or about May 10, 2024.

36

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of BNY Mellon New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of BNY Mellon New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund (the “Fund”), including the statement of investments, as of November 30, 2023, 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 at November 30, 2023, 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 November 30, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers and others; when replies were not received from brokers and others, we performed other auditing procedures. 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
January 22, 2024

37

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)

UPDATES TO SALES CHARGE REDUCTIONS AND WAIVERS AVAILABLE FROM CERTAIN FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES:

The availability of certain sales charge reductions and waivers will depend on whether you purchase fund shares directly from the fund or through a financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales load reductions or waivers or CDSC waivers, which are described in the fund’s prospectus. In all instances, it is the investor’s responsibility to notify the fund or the investor’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the investor for sales charge reductions or waivers. For reductions or waivers not available through a particular financial intermediary, investors will have to purchase fund shares directly from the fund or through another financial intermediary to receive these reductions or waivers.

Edward Jones

Clients of Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. (Edward Jones) purchasing fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge reductions and waivers, which can differ from the sales charge reductions and waivers described elsewhere in the fund’s prospectus or the SAI or through another financial intermediary. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of BNY Mellon Family of Funds, or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge reductions or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance. Shareholders should contact Edward Jones if they have questions regarding their eligibility for these discounts and waivers.

Front-end sales charge reductions on Class A shares purchased on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms

Shareholders purchasing Class A shares of the fund on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms can reduce their initial sales charge in the following ways:

· Transaction size breakpoints, as described in the fund’s prospectus.

· Rights of accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts as described in the fund’s prospectus, will be calculated based on the aggregated holdings of shares of funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds (except certain money market funds and any assets held in group retirement plans) held by the purchaser or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”) and, if grouping assets as a shareholder, includes all share classes of such funds held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. Shares of funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies Edward Jones about such shares. Money market funds are included only if such shares were sold with a sales charge at the time of purchase or acquired in exchange for shares purchased with a sales charge. The employer maintaining a SEP IRA plan and/or SIMPLE IRA plan may elect to establish or change ROA for the IRA accounts associated with the plan to a plan-level grouping as opposed to including all share classes at a shareholder or pricing group level. For purposes of determining the value of a shareholder’s aggregated holdings, eligible shares held will be valued at the higher of their cost minus redemptions or current market value.

38

 

· Letter of intent (LOI), which allows for breakpoint discounts as described in the fund’s prospectus, based on anticipated purchases of shares of funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds purchased over a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. Eligible shares purchased pursuant to a LOI will be valued at the higher of their cost or current market value for purposes of determining the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts with respect to such share purchases. Each purchase a shareholder makes pursuant to a LOI during the 13-month period will receive the front-end sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount indicated in the LOI. Shares of funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds may be included in the LOI calculation only if the shareholder notifies Edward Jones about such shares at the time of calculation. Shares purchased before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not adjusted under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid by the shareholder. The sales charge will be adjusted if the shareholder does not meet the goal indicated in the LOI. If the employer maintaining a SEP IRA plan and/or SIMPLE IRA plan has elected to establish or change ROA for the IRA accounts associated with the plan to a plan-level grouping, LOIs will also be at the plan-level and may only be established by the employer.

Front-end sales charge waivers on Class A shares purchased on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms

Shareholders purchasing Class A shares of the fund on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms may purchase Class A shares at NAV without payment of a sales charge as follows:

· shares purchased by associates of Edward Jones or its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good standing and remains in good standing pursuant to Edward Jones’ policies and procedures (Effective January 1, 2024, this waiver will be revised as follows: shares purchased by associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and other accounts in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing and remains in good standing pursuant to Edward Jones’ policies and procedures)

· shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program

· shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions of the fund

· shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions of shares of a fund in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 60 days following the redemption, and (2) the redemption and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with

39

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

proceeds from liquidations in a non-retirement account (i.e., Right of Reinstatement) (Effective January 1, 2024, this waiver will be revised as follows: shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions of shares of a fund in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds, provided that (1) the repurchase occurs within 60 days following the redemption, and (2) the redemption and purchase are made in a share class that charges a front-end sales charge, subject to one of the following conditions being met:

o the redemption and repurchase occur in the same account

o the redemption proceeds are used to process an IRA contribution, excess contributions, conversion, recharacterizing of contributions, or distribution, and the repurchase is done in an account within the same Edward Jones grouping for ROA)

· shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any CDSC due, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the fund’s prospectus

· exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones

· Effective January 1, 2024: purchases of Class A shares for a 529 plan account through a rollover from either another education savings plan or a security used for qualified distributions

· Effective January 1, 2024: purchases of Class A shares for a 529 plan account made for recontribution of refunded amounts

CDSC waivers on Class A and C shares purchased on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms

The fund’s CDSC on Class A and C shares may be waived for shares purchased on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms in the following cases:

· redemptions made upon the death or disability of the shareholder

· redemptions made through a systematic withdrawal plan, if such redemptions do not exceed 10% of the value of the account annually

· redemptions made in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account

· redemptions made as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations

· redemptions made to pay Edward Jones fees or costs, but only if the redemption is initiated by Edward Jones

· shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program

40

 

· shares acquired through a Right of Reinstatement (as defined above)

· shares redeemed at the discretion of Edward Jones for accounts not meeting Edward Jones’ minimum balance requirements described below

Other important information for clients of Edward Jones who purchase fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms

Minimum Purchase Amounts

· Initial purchase minimum: $250

· Subsequent purchase minimum: none

Minimum Balances

· Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

o A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

o A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

o An account with an active systematic investment plan or LOI

Exchanging Share Classes

· At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares of the same fund. Edward Jones is responsible for any CDSC due, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the fund’s prospectus.

Merrill

Purchases or sales of front-end (i.e., Class A) or level-load (i.e., Class C) mutual fund shares through a Merrill platform or account are eligible only for the following sales load waivers (front-end or CDSC) and discounts, which differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the fund’s prospectus. Purchasers will have to buy mutual fund shares directly from the mutual fund company or through another intermediary to be eligible for waivers or discounts not listed below.

It is the client’s responsibility to notify Merrill at the time of purchase or sale of any relationship or other facts that qualify the transaction for a waiver or discount. A Merrill representative may ask for reasonable documentation of such facts and Merrill may condition the granting of a waiver or discount on the timely receipt of such documentation. Additional information on waivers or discounts is available in the Merrill Sales Load Waiver and Discounts Supplement (the “Merrill SLWD Supplement”) and in the Mutual Fund Investing at Merrill pamphlet at ml.com/funds. Clients are encouraged to review these documents and speak with their financial advisor to determine whether a transaction is eligible for a waiver or discount.

Front-end sales charge waivers on Class A shares purchased through Merrill

41

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

Shareholders purchasing Class A shares of the fund through a Merrill platform or account are eligible only for the following sales charge waivers, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the fund’s prospectus or the SAI. Such shareholders may purchase Class A shares at NAV without payment of a sales charge as follows:

· shares of mutual funds available for purchase by employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans

· shares purchased through a Merrill investment advisory program

· brokerage class shares exchanged from advisory class shares due to the holdings moving from a Merrill investment advisory program to a Merrill brokerage account

· shares purchased through the Merrill Edge Self-Directed platform

· shares purchased through the systematic reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same mutual fund in the same account

· shares exchanged from level-load shares to front-end load shares of the same mutual fund in accordance with the description in the Merrill SLWD Supplement

· shares purchased by eligible employees of Merrill or its affiliates and their family members who purchase shares in accounts within the employee’s Merrill Household (as defined in the Merrill SLWD Supplement)

· shares purchased by eligible persons associated with the fund as defined in the fund’s prospectus (e.g., the fund’s officers or trustees)

· shares purchased from the proceeds of a mutual fund redemption in front-end load shares, provided (1) the repurchase is in a mutual fund within the same fund family, (2) the repurchase occurs within 90 calendar days from the redemption trade date, and (3) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account (known as Rights of Reinstatement). Automated transactions (i.e., systematic purchases and withdrawals) and purchases made after shares are automatically sold to pay Merrill’s account maintenance fees are not eligible for Rights of Reinstatement

CDSC waivers on Class A and C shares purchased through Merrill

Fund shares purchased through a Merrill platform or account are eligible only for the following CDSC waivers, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the fund’s prospectus or the SAI:

· shares sold due to the client’s death or disability (as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 22(e)(3))

42

 

· shares sold pursuant to a systematic withdrawal program subject to Merrill’s maximum systematic withdrawal limits, as described in the Merrill SLWD Supplement

· shares sold due to return of excess contributions from an IRA account

· shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the investor reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulation

· front-end or level-load shares held in commission-based, non-taxable retirement brokerage accounts (e.g., traditional, Roth, rollover, SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans) that are transferred to fee-based accounts or platforms and exchanged for a lower cost share class of the same mutual fund.

Front-end sales charge reductions on Class A shares purchased through Merrill

Shareholders purchasing Class A shares of the fund through a Merrill platform or account are eligible only for the following sales charge reductions (i.e., discounts), which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the fund’s prospectus or the SAI. Such shareholders can reduce their initial sales charge in the following ways:

· Breakpoint discounts, as described in the fund’s prospectus, where the sales load is at or below the maximum sales load that Merrill permits to be assessed to a front-end load purchase, as described in the Merrill SLWD Supplement.

· Rights of accumulation (ROA), as described in the Merrill SLWD Supplement, which entitle clients to breakpoint discounts based on the aggregated holdings of mutual fund family assets held in accounts in their Merrill Household.

· Letters of Intent (LOI), which allow for breakpoint discounts on eligible new purchases based on anticipated future eligible purchases within a fund family at Merrill, in accounts within your Merrill Household, as further described in the Merrill SLWD Supplement.

43

 

IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION (Unaudited)

In accordance with federal tax law, the fund hereby reports all the dividends paid from net investment income during its fiscal year ended November 30, 2023 as “exempt-interest dividends” (not subject to regular federal income tax, and for individuals who are New York residents, New York State and New York City 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 2023 calendar year on Form 1099-DIV, which will be mailed in early 2024.

44

 

PROXY RESULTS (Unaudited)

A special meeting of the fund’s shareholders was held on October 12, 2023. The proposal considered at the meeting and the results were as follows:

     
 

Shares

 

For

 

Authority Withheld

To elect Board Members to hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified

   
 

Francine J. Bovich

9,661,620

 

251,308

 

Michael D. DiLecce

9,710,773

 

202,155

 

Gina D. France

9,706,443

 

206,485

 

Joan L. Gulley

9,652,249

 

260,679

 

Robin A. Melvin

9,692,959

 

219,970

 Each Board Member’s term commenced January 1, 2024

In addition, Joseph S. DiMartino, Peggy C. Davis and Nathan Leventhal continue as Board Members of the fund. Mses. Bovich and Melvin currently are Board Members of the fund, but have not been previously elected by shareholders.

45

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT AND SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited)

At a meeting of the fund’s Board of Trustees held on July 24, 2023, the Board considered the renewal of the fund’s Management Agreement, pursuant to which the Adviser provides the fund with investment advisory and administrative services, and the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement (together with the Management Agreement, the “Agreements”), pursuant to which Insight North America LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) provides day-to-day management of the fund’s investments. The Board members, none of whom are “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the fund, were assisted in their review by independent legal counsel and met with counsel in executive session separate from representatives of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. In considering the renewal of the Agreements, the Board considered several factors that it believed to be relevant, including those discussed below. The Board did not identify any one factor as dispositive, and each Board member may have attributed different weights to the factors considered.

Analysis of Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services Provided to the Fund. The Board considered information provided to it at the meeting and in previous presentations from representatives of the Adviser regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided to funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, including the fund. The Adviser provided the number of open accounts in the fund, the fund’s asset size and the allocation of fund assets among distribution channels. The Adviser also had previously provided information regarding the diverse intermediary relationships and distribution channels of funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex (such as retail direct or intermediary, in which intermediaries typically are paid by the fund and/or the Adviser) and the Adviser’s corresponding need for broad, deep, and diverse resources to be able to provide ongoing shareholder services to each intermediary or distribution channel, as applicable to the fund.

The Board also considered research support available to, and portfolio management capabilities of, the fund’s portfolio management personnel and that the Adviser also provides oversight of day-to-day fund operations, including fund accounting and administration and assistance in meeting legal and regulatory requirements. The Board also considered the Adviser’s extensive administrative, accounting and compliance infrastructures, as well as the Adviser’s supervisory activities over the Sub-Adviser.

Comparative Analysis of the Fund’s Performance and Management Fee and Expense Ratio. The Board reviewed reports prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data based on classifications provided by Thomson Reuters Lipper (“Lipper”), which included information comparing (1) the performance of the fund’s Class I shares with the performance of a group of institutional New York municipal debt funds selected by Broadridge as comparable to the fund (the “Performance Group”) and with a broader group of funds consisting of all retail and institutional New York municipal debt funds (the “Performance Universe”), all for various periods ended May 31, 2023, and (2) the fund’s actual and contractual management fees and total expenses with those of the

46

 

same group of funds in the Performance Group (the “Expense Group”) and with a broader group of all institutional New York municipal debt funds, excluding outliers (the “Expense Universe”), the information for which was derived in part from fund financial statements available to Broadridge as of the date of its analysis. The Adviser previously had furnished the Board with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to select the Performance Group and Performance Universe and the Expense Group and Expense Universe.

Performance Comparisons. Representatives of the Adviser stated that the usefulness of performance comparisons may be affected by a number of factors, including different investment limitations and policies that may be applicable to the fund and comparison funds and the end date selected. The Board also considered the fund’s performance in light of overall financial market conditions. The Board discussed with representatives of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser the results of the comparisons and considered that the fund’s total return performance was below the Performance Group median for each period, except the one- and two-year periods when the fund’s total return performance was above the Performance Group median, and was above the Performance Universe median for each period, except the three- and ten-year periods when the fund’s total return performance was below the Performance Universe median. The Board also considered that the fund’s yield performance was below the Performance Group median for nine of the ten one-year periods ended May 31st and below the Performance Universe median for all of the ten one-year periods ended May 31st. The Board considered the relative proximity of the fund’s performance to the Performance Group and/or Performance Universe medians during certain periods under review. The Adviser also provided a comparison of the fund’s calendar year total returns to the returns of the fund’s benchmark index, and it was noted that the fund’s returns were above the returns of the index in four of the ten calendar years shown. The Board noted that the fund had a four-star overall rating from Morningstar and a four-star rating for each of the three-, five- and ten-year periods based on Morningstar’s risk-adjusted return measures.

Management Fee and Expense Ratio Comparisons. The Board reviewed and considered the contractual management fee rate payable by the fund to the Adviser in light of the nature, extent and quality of the management services and the sub-advisory services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, respectively. In addition, the Board reviewed and considered the actual management fee rate paid by the fund over the fund’s last fiscal year, which included reductions for a fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangement in place that reduced the management fee paid to the Adviser. The Board also reviewed the range of actual and contractual management fees and total expenses as a percentage of average net assets of the Expense Group and Expense Universe funds and discussed the results of the comparisons.

The Board considered that the fund’s contractual management fee was lower than the Expense Group median contractual management fee, the fund’s actual management fee was slightly higher than the Expense Group median and slightly lower than the Expense Universe median actual management fee, and the fund’s total expenses were slightly

47

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT AND SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

lower than the Expense Group median and slightly higher than the Expense Universe median total expenses.

Representatives of the Adviser stated that the Adviser has contractually agreed, until March 31, 2024, to waive receipt of its fees and/or assume the direct expenses of the fund so that the direct expenses of none of the fund’s share classes (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder services fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, commitment fees on borrowings and extraordinary expenses) exceed .55% of the fund’s average daily net assets. On or after March 31, 2024, the Adviser may terminate this expense limitation agreement at any time.

Representatives of the Adviser reviewed with the Board the management or investment advisory fees paid by the one fund advised by the Adviser that is in the same Lipper category as the fund (the “Similar Fund”), and explained the nature of the Similar Fund. They discussed differences in fees paid and the relationship of the fees paid in light of any differences in the services provided and other relevant factors. The Board considered the relevance of the fee information provided for the Similar Fund to evaluate the appropriateness of the fund’s management fee. Representatives of the Adviser noted that there were no separate accounts and/or other types of client portfolios advised by the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser that are considered to have similar investment strategies and policies as the fund.

The Board considered the fee payable to the Sub-Adviser in relation to the fee payable to the Adviser by the fund and the respective services provided by the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser. The Board also took into consideration that the Sub-Adviser’s fee is paid by the Adviser, out of its fee from the fund, and not the fund.

Analysis of Profitability and Economies of Scale. Representatives of the Adviser reviewed the expenses allocated and profit received by the Adviser and its affiliates and the resulting profitability percentage for managing the fund and the aggregate profitability percentage to the Adviser and its affiliates for managing the funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, and the method used to determine the expenses and profit. The Board concluded that the profitability results were not excessive, given the services rendered and service levels provided by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also considered the fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangement and its effect on the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also had been provided with information prepared by an independent consulting firm regarding the Adviser’s approach to allocating costs to, and determining the profitability of, individual funds and the entire BNY Mellon fund complex. The consulting firm also had analyzed where any economies of scale might emerge in connection with the management of a fund.

The Board considered, on the advice of its counsel, the profitability analysis (1) as part of its evaluation of whether the fees under the Agreements, considered in relation to the mix of services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, including the nature, extent and quality of such services, supported the renewal of the Agreements and (2) in light of the relevant circumstances for the fund and the extent to which economies of scale would be realized if the fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies

48

 

of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders. Representatives of the Adviser stated that a discussion of economies of scale is predicated on a fund having achieved a substantial size with increasing assets and that, if a fund’s assets had been stable or decreasing, the possibility that the Adviser may have realized any economies of scale would be less. Representatives of the Adviser also stated that, as a result of shared and allocated costs among funds in the BNY Mellon fund complex, the extent of economies of scale could depend substantially on the level of assets in the complex as a whole, so that increases and decreases in complex-wide assets can affect potential economies of scale in a manner that is disproportionate to, or even in the opposite direction from, changes in the fund’s asset level. The Board also considered potential benefits to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser from acting as investment adviser and sub-investment adviser, respectively, and took into consideration that there were no soft dollar arrangements in effect for trading the fund’s investments.

At the conclusion of these discussions, the Board agreed that it had been furnished with sufficient information to make an informed business decision with respect to the renewal of the Agreements. Based on the discussions and considerations as described above, the Board concluded and determined as follows.

· The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser are adequate and appropriate.

· The Board generally was satisfied with the fund’s relative performance.

· The Board concluded that the fees paid to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser continued to be appropriate under the circumstances and in light of the factors and the totality of the services provided as discussed above.

· The Board determined that the economies of scale which may accrue to the Adviser and its affiliates in connection with the management of the fund had been adequately considered by the Adviser in connection with the fee rate charged to the fund pursuant to the Management Agreement and that, to the extent in the future it were determined that material economies of scale had not been shared with the fund, the Board would seek to have those economies of scale shared with the fund.

In evaluating the Agreements, the Board considered these conclusions and determinations and also relied on its previous knowledge, gained through meetings and other interactions with the Adviser and its affiliates and the Sub-Adviser, of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser and the services provided to the fund by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. The Board also relied on information received on a routine and regular basis throughout the year relating to the operations of the fund and the investment management and other services provided under the Agreements, including information on the investment performance of the fund in comparison to similar mutual funds and benchmark performance indices; general market outlook as applicable to the fund; and compliance reports. In addition, the Board’s consideration of the contractual fee arrangements for the fund had the benefit of a number of years of reviews of the

49

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE RENEWAL OF THE FUND’S MANAGEMENT AND SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

Agreements for the fund, or substantially similar agreements for other BNY Mellon funds that the Board oversees, during which lengthy discussions took place between the Board and representatives of the Adviser. Certain aspects of the arrangements may receive greater scrutiny in some years than in others, and the Board’s conclusions may be based, in part, on its consideration of the fund’s arrangements, or substantially similar arrangements for other BNY Mellon funds that the Board oversees, in prior years. The Board determined to renew the Agreements.

50

 

BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited)

Independent Board Members

Joseph S. DiMartino (80)

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-May 2023)

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 86

———————

Francine J. Bovich (72)

Board Member (2012)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· The Bradley Trusts, private trust funds, Trustee (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: 47

———————

Peggy C. Davis (80)

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: 29

———————

Nathan Leventhal (80)

Board Member (1989)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

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

· Palm Beach Opera, President (2016-Present)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

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

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 29

———————

51

 

BOARD MEMBERS INFORMATION (Unaudited) (continued)

Robin A. Melvin (60)

Board Member (2012)

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years:

· Westover School, a private girls’ boarding school in Middlebury, Connecticut, Trustee (2019-June 2023)

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

· JDRF, a non-profit juvenile diabetes research foundation, Board Member (June 2021-June 2022)

Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years:

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

No. of Portfolios for which Board Member Serves: 68

———————

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 each 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.

52

 

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 Distribution, BNY Mellon Investment Management since February 2023; and Head of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management from January 2018 to February 2023. He is an officer of 53 investment companies (comprised of 102 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 45 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since 2005.

JAMES WINDELS, Treasurer since November 2001.

Director of the Adviser since February 2023; Vice President of the Adviser since September 2020; and Director–BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 121 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 65 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since April 1985.

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

Chief Legal Officer of the Adviser and Associate General Counsel of BNY Mellon since July 2021; Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from December 2020 to July 2021; and Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from March 2009 to December 2020. He is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 121 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 55 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since April 2004.

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

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2019; Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from April 2014 to December 2019; and Secretary of the Adviser. He is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 121 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 57 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since December 1996.

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

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since December 2021; and Counsel of BNY Mellon from August 2018 to December 2021. She is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 121 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 33 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since August 2013.

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

Vice President of BNY Mellon ETF Investment Adviser; LLC since February 2020; Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since September 2021; and Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from December 2017 to September 2021. She is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 121 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 48 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since March 2013.

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

Senior Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon. He is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 121 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 58 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; and Regulatory Administration Manager at BNY Mellon Investment Management Services from September 2018 to May 2019. She is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 121 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 38 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since June 2012.

JOANNE SKERRETT, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since March 2023.

Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since June 2022; and Senior Counsel with the Mutual Fund Directors Forum, a leading funds industry organization, from 2016 to June 2022. She is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 121 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 51 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since June 2022.

53

 

OFFICERS OF THE FUND (Unaudited) (continued)

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

Chief Compliance Officer since August 2021 and Vice President since February 2020 of BNY Mellon ETF Investment Adviser, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer since August 2021 and Vice President and Assistant Secretary since February 2020 of BNY Mellon ETF Trust; Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon from December 2019 to August 2021; Counsel of BNY Mellon from May 2016 to December 2019; and Assistant Secretary of the Adviser from April 2018 to August 2021. She is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 121 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 38 years old and has been an employee of BNY Mellon since May 2016.

DANIEL GOLDSTEIN, Vice President since March 2022.

Head of Product Development of North America Distribution, BNY Mellon Investment Management since January 2018; Executive Vice President of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since April 2023; and Senior Vice President, Development & Oversight of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management from 2010 to March 2023. He is an officer of 53 investment companies (comprised of 102 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 54 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since 1991.

JOSEPH MARTELLA, Vice President since March 2022.

Vice President of the Adviser since December 2022; Head of Product Management of North America Distribution, BNY Mellon Investment Management since January 2018; Executive Vice President of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since April 2023; and Senior Vice President of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management from 2010 to March 2023. He is an officer of 53 investment companies (comprised of 102 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 47 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since 1999.

GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005.

Tax Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 121 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 April 1991.

ROBERT SALVIOLO, Assistant Treasurer since May 2007.

Senior Accounting Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 121 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since August 2005.

Senior Accounting Manager–BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 54 investment companies (comprised of 121 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. He is 56 years old and has been an employee of the Adviser since November 1990.

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

Chief Compliance Officer of the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust since 2004; and Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser from 2004 until June 2021. He is the Chief Compliance Officer of 53 investment companies (comprised of 105 portfolios) managed by the Adviser. He is 66 years old.

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 47 investment companies (comprised of 114 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. She is 55 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since 1997.

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For More Information

BNY Mellon New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Adviser

BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Sub-Adviser

Insight North America LLC
200 Park Avenue, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10166

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Transfer Agent &
Dividend Disbursing Agent

BNY Mellon Transfer, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Distributor

BNY Mellon Securities Corporation

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

  

Ticker Symbols:

Class A: PSNYX Class C: PNYCX Class I: DNYIX Class Y: DNYYX

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.

  

© 2024 BNY Mellon Securities Corporation
0021AR1123

 

 

 
 

 

 

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 $36,204 in 2022 and $ 36,928 in 2023.

 

(b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item 4 were $10,456 in 2022 and $10,801 in 2023. 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 2022 and $0 in 2023.

 

(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 $3,342 in 2022 and $3,342 in 2023. 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 $8,158 in 2022 and $8,158 in 2023.

 
 

 

(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 $837 in 2022 and $941 in 2023. 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 2022 and $0 in 2023.

 

(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 $2,144,335 in 2022 and $1,886,566 in 2023.

 

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.

 

(i)Not applicable.

 

(j) Not applicable.

 

 

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 New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund

By: /s/ David J. DiPetrillo

David J. DiPetrillo

President (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: January 19, 2024

 

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 J. DiPetrillo

David J. DiPetrillo

President (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: January 19, 2024

 

By: /s/ James Windels

James Windels

Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

Date: January 19, 2024

 

 

 
 

 

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)