N-CSRS 1 lp10805.htm SEMI-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 811-22784
   
  BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Infrastructure Fund, Inc.  
  (Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)  
     
 

 

c/o BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

 
  (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip code)  
     
 

Deirdre Cunnane, Esq.

240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

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

Date of fiscal year end:

 

02/28  
Date of reporting period:

08/31/2022

 

 
             

 

 

 

 
 

 

FORM N-CSR

Item 1.Reports to Stockholders.

 

BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Infrastructure Fund, Inc.

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2022

 

 

 

BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Infrastructure Fund, Inc.

Protecting Your Privacy
Our Pledge to You

THE FUND IS COMMITTED TO YOUR PRIVACY. On this page, you will find the fund’s policies and practices for collecting, disclosing, and safeguarding “nonpublic personal information,” which may include financial or other customer information. These policies apply to individuals who purchase fund shares for personal, family, or household purposes, or have done so in the past. This notification replaces all previous statements of the fund’s consumer privacy policy, and may be amended at any time. We’ll keep you informed of changes as required by law.

YOUR ACCOUNT IS PROVIDED IN A SECURE ENVIRONMENT. The fund maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard nonpublic personal information. The fund’s agents and service providers have limited access to customer information based on their role in servicing your account.

THE FUND COLLECTS INFORMATION IN ORDER TO SERVICE AND ADMINISTER YOUR ACCOUNT. The fund collects a variety of nonpublic personal information, which may include:

 Information we receive from you, such as your name, address, and social security number.

 Information about your transactions with us, such as the purchase or sale of fund shares.

 Information we receive from agents and service providers, such as proxy voting information.

THE FUND DOES NOT SHARE NONPUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION WITH ANYONE, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY LAW.

Thank you for this opportunity to serve you.

 

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

Statement of Investments

5

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

20

Statement of Operations

21

Statement of Cash Flows

22

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

23

Financial Highlights

24

Notes to Financial Statements

25

Proxy Results

34

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

35

Officers and Directors

41

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

Back Cover

 
 

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DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)

For the period from March 1, 2022, through August 31, 2022, as provided by portfolio managers Daniel Rabasco, Jeffrey Burger and Thomas Casey of Insight North America LLC (INA), sub-adviser.

Market and Fund Performance Overview

For the six-month period ended August 31, 2022, BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (the “fund”) achieved a total return of −9.29% on a net-asset-value basis and 5.40% on a market price basis.1 Over the same period, the fund provided aggregate income dividends of $.318 per share, which reflects an annualized distribution rate of 4.70%.2

Municipal bonds lost ground as investors took notice of rising inflation and the likelihood of interest-rate hikes by the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”). The fund continued to produce competitive levels of current income through an emphasis on longer-term and lower-rated municipal bonds.

The Fund’s Investment Approach

The fund seeks to provide as high a level of current income exempt from regular federal income tax as is consistent with the preservation of capital. The fund’s portfolio is composed principally of investments that finance the development, support or improvement of America’s infrastructure.

Under normal circumstances, the fund pursues its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its Managed Assets3 in municipal bonds issued to finance infrastructure sectors and projects in the United States. Also, under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 50% of its Managed Assets in municipal bonds that, at the time of investment, are rated investment grade, meaning that up to 50% of Managed Assets can be invested in below-investment-grade municipal bonds. Projects in which the fund may invest include (but are not limited to) those in the transportation, energy and utilities, social infrastructure, and water and environmental sectors. We focus on identifying undervalued sectors and securities and minimize the use of interest-rate forecasting. We select municipal bonds using fundamental credit analysis to estimate the relative value and attractiveness of various sectors and securities and to exploit pricing inefficiencies.

The fund employs leverage by issuing preferred stock and participating in tender-option bond programs. The use of leverage can magnify gain-and-loss potential depending on market conditions.

Inflation and Rising Rates Lead to Fund Outflows

Like other segments of the fixed-income, the municipal bond market posted negative performance during the reporting period, market, driven primarily by worries about rising inflation and tightening monetary policy as interest rates rose significantly.

Oil prices remained high, and pricing pressures spread to other segments of the economy, causing inflation measures to stay near multi-decade highs. In addition, the Fed initiated increases in the federal funds rate, raising it by 25 basis points (bps) in March 2022 and 50 bps in May 2022. In June and July, rates were again raised, this time by 75 bps each time, bringing the federal funds target rate to between 2.25% and 2.50%. The Fed also announced

2

 

that its quantitative tightening program, in which it begins to reduce its bond holdings, would begin in June 2022.

Fears that the economy could slow were realized when the first quarter GDP figures were released in April 2022 showing the economy declined somewhat. A still-strong labor market, however, suggested that the economy could rebound. Second quarter data, however, showed that the economy shrank again, making for two consecutive quarters of decline, a rough indicator of recession. Inflation readings remained very high, greatly exceeding the Fed’s target of 2.00% and pointed to the strong possibility of additional rate hikes through the rest of 2022.

Historically, municipal bonds have been perceived as a safe haven from turmoil in fixed-income markets. But the persistence of higher-than-expected inflation, combined with measures from the Fed to combat it, have led to significant outflows from municipal bond mutual funds. The need for fund managers to meet redemptions only added to the downward momentum.

Although the economy has weakened, credit fundamentals in the municipal market have remained strong. In addition, turmoil has resulted in more attractive valuations in many segments of the market, creating the potential for outperformance in the future.

Duration and Asset Allocation Hindered Results

The fund’s performance was driven mainly by duration and asset allocation decisions. Specifically, the longer duration and holdings of longer bonds were particularly detrimental as interest rates rose. Security selection also hindered returns, especially in certain segments, including health care, continuing care and retirement centers, prepaid gas and transportation.

On a more positive note, the fund’s performance was aided by its security selection in some segments. Holdings in the education and tobacco segments were especially beneficial. The fund did not use of derivatives during the period.

Positioned for Income and a Market Recovery

To boost its income generating potential, the fund swapped out certain low-yielding bonds for comparable credit quality, similar maturity but higher-yielding bonds. This shift has also positioned the fund well for an eventual market recovery. The fund will remain positioned in longer bonds in order to generate income and will look for attractive opportunities to continue doing swaps such as these. Lastly, we will look for opportunities to purchase A

3

 

DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE (Unaudited) (continued)

rated, BBB rated and sub-investment grade bonds to take advantage of wider credit spreads.

September 15, 2022

1 Total return includes reinvestment of dividends and any capital gains paid, based upon net asset value or market price per share. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Market price per share, net asset value per share and investment return fluctuate.Income may be subject to state and local taxes, and some income may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax for certain investors. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable.

2 Annual distribution rate per share is based upon dividends per share paid from net investment income during the period, divided by the market price per share at the end of the period, adjusted for any capital gain distributions.

3 “Managed Assets” of the fund means the fund’s total assets, including any assets attributable to effective leverage, minus certain defined accrued liabilities.

Bonds are subject generally to interest rate, credit, liquidity and market risks, to varying degrees. Generally, all other factors being equal, prices of investment grade bonds are inversely related to interest rate changes, and rate increases can cause price declines.

High yield bonds are subject to increased credit and liquidity risk and are considered speculative in terms of the issuer’s perceived ability to pay interest on a timely basis and to repay principal upon maturity. Unlike investment grade bonds, prices of high yield bonds may fluctuate unpredictably and not necessarily inversely with changes in interest rates.

The use of leverage may magnify the fund’s gains or losses. For derivatives with a leveraging component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset can result in a loss that is much greater than the original investment in the derivative.

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

4

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

August 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 153.5%

     

Alabama - 3.2%

     

Alabama Special Care Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds (Methodist Home for the Aging Obligated Group)

 

5.75

 

6/1/2045

 

2,500,000

 

2,369,344

 

Alabama Special Care Facilities Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds (Methodist Home for the Aging Obligated Group)

 

6.00

 

6/1/2050

 

1,350,000

 

1,300,477

 

Black Belt Energy Gas District, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. D1

 

4.00

 

6/1/2027

 

1,000,000

a 

1,015,381

 

Jefferson County, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. F

 

7.90

 

10/1/2050

 

2,500,000

b 

2,538,817

 
 

7,224,019

 

Arizona - 8.4%

     

Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Legacy Cares Project) Ser. A

 

7.75

 

7/1/2050

 

3,200,000

c 

3,407,718

 

Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

4.25

 

11/1/2052

 

3,425,000

 

3,210,048

 

Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Benjamin Franklin Charter School Obligated Group)

 

6.00

 

7/1/2052

 

2,000,000

c 

2,155,396

 

Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Legacy Traditional Schools Project)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2049

 

1,025,000

c 

1,030,813

 

Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp., Revenue Bonds

 

4.00

 

7/1/2044

 

1,905,000

 

1,830,718

 

Salt Verde Financial Corp., Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

12/1/2037

 

5,000,000

 

5,279,774

 

The Phoenix Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (BASIS Schools Projects) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2046

 

2,000,000

c 

2,009,812

 
 

18,924,279

 

California - 13.4%

     

California County Tobacco Securitization Agency, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

6/1/2049

 

1,000,000

 

940,416

 

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

 

3.50

 

11/20/2035

 

1,469,145

 

1,369,400

 

5

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 153.5% (continued)

     

California - 13.4% (continued)

     

California Municipal Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (HumanGood California Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/1/2044

 

1,000,000

 

1,028,690

 

California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (California Baptist University) Ser. A

 

6.38

 

11/1/2043

 

2,035,000

c 

2,094,682

 

California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (California Baptist University) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/1/2041

 

1,875,000

c 

1,950,944

 

Long Beach Bond Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.50

 

11/15/2037

 

5,000,000

 

5,575,969

 

Orange County Community Facilities District, Special Tax Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

8/15/2052

 

1,000,000

 

1,028,111

 

Riverside County Transportation Commission, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.75

 

6/1/2023

 

3,250,000

d 

3,334,432

 

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

 

5.00

 

7/1/2056

 

3,160,000

 

3,268,493

 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2020-XF2876), (San Francisco California City & County Airport Commission, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. E) Recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 5.00

 

11.81

 

5/1/2050

 

4,410,000

c,e,f 

4,567,767

 

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

 

5.00

 

5/15/2043

 

5,000,000

 

5,073,586

 
 

30,232,490

 

Colorado - 10.1%

     

Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Covenant Living Communities & Services Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

12/1/2050

 

3,000,000

 

2,575,504

 

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

 

4.00

 

5/15/2052

 

1,255,000

 

1,185,442

 

Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2024

 

2,500,000

d 

2,583,349

 

Denver County Airport System, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.50

 

11/15/2053

 

1,000,000

 

1,083,306

 

Denver County Airport System, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.25

 

11/15/2043

 

5,000,000

 

5,077,232

 

6

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 153.5% (continued)

     

Colorado - 10.1% (continued)

     

Dominion Water & Sanitation District, Revenue Bonds

 

6.00

 

12/1/2046

 

1,850,000

 

1,889,874

 

Dominion Water & Sanitation District, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.88

 

12/1/2052

 

2,000,000

 

2,000,000

 

Hess Ranch Metropolitan District No. 6, GO, Ser. A1

 

5.00

 

12/1/2049

 

1,500,000

 

1,435,511

 

Rampart Range Metropolitan District No. 5, Revenue Bonds

 

4.00

 

12/1/2051

 

1,000,000

 

789,083

 

Sterling Ranch Community Authority Board, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2038

 

1,500,000

 

1,498,230

 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2020-XM0829), (Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (CommonSpirit Health Obligated Group, Ser. A1)) Recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 4.00

 

11.23

 

8/1/2044

 

2,455,000

c,e,f 

2,713,025

 
 

22,830,556

 

Connecticut - 2.0%

     

Connecticut Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Hartford University) Ser. P

 

5.38

 

7/1/2052

 

1,250,000

 

1,254,807

 

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

 

4.00

 

7/1/2052

 

1,000,000

 

896,231

 

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

 

4.00

 

7/1/2055

 

1,500,000

 

1,334,476

 

University of Connecticut, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

5/1/2041

 

1,000,000

 

1,110,392

 
 

4,595,906

 

District of Columbia - .8%

     

District of Columbia, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (KIPP Charter School)

 

6.00

 

7/1/2023

 

1,700,000

d 

1,748,963

 

Florida - 5.2%

     

Alachua County Health Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Shands Teaching Hospital & Clinics Obligated Group)

 

4.00

 

12/1/2049

 

1,750,000

 

1,593,834

 

Davie, Revenue Bonds (Nova Southeastern University Project) Ser. A

 

5.63

 

4/1/2023

 

2,555,000

d 

2,603,417

 

7

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 153.5% (continued)

     

Florida - 5.2% (continued)

     

Florida Higher Educational Facilities Financial Authority, Revenue Bonds (Ringling College Project)

 

5.00

 

3/1/2049

 

2,000,000

 

2,029,609

 

Pinellas County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Foundation for Global Understanding Inc.)

 

5.00

 

7/1/2039

 

1,000,000

 

1,014,956

 

Seminole County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Legacy Pointe at UCF Project)

 

5.75

 

11/15/2054

 

500,000

 

453,957

 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2019-XF0813), (Fort Myers Florida Utility, Revenue Bonds) Non-recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 4.00

 

7.19

 

10/1/2049

 

1,790,000

c,e,f 

1,694,119

 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2020-XF2877), (Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A) Recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 4.00

 

8.29

 

10/1/2049

 

2,480,000

c,e,f 

2,285,591

 
 

11,675,483

 

Georgia - 4.3%

     

Fulton County Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

4/1/2042

 

1,250,000

 

1,300,090

 

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

 

5.00

 

7/1/2052

 

2,500,000

 

2,628,055

 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2019-XF2847), (Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, Revenue Bonds (Plant Vogtle Unis 3&4 Project, Ser. A)) Recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 5.00

 

12.01

 

1/1/2056

 

2,060,000

c,e,f 

2,125,698

 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2020-XM0825), (Brookhaven Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Ser. A)) Recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 4.00

 

9.69

 

7/1/2044

 

3,600,000

c,e,f 

3,742,967

 
 

9,796,810

 

Illinois - 16.4%

     

Chicago Board of Education, GO, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

12/1/2035

 

1,500,000

 

1,558,577

 

Chicago II, GO, Refunding, Ser. A

 

6.00

 

1/1/2038

 

2,500,000

 

2,689,298

 

Chicago II, GO, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2044

 

2,000,000

 

2,054,108

 

8

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 153.5% (continued)

     

Illinois - 16.4% (continued)

     

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Revenue Bonds

 

5.75

 

1/1/2043

 

3,750,000

 

3,779,056

 

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

 

5.00

 

1/1/2048

 

2,500,000

 

2,548,339

 

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

 

5.00

 

12/1/2057

 

2,000,000

 

2,133,570

 

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

 

5.00

 

12/1/2045

 

1,000,000

 

1,064,337

 

Illinois, GO, Ser. D

 

5.00

 

11/1/2028

 

2,600,000

 

2,776,328

 

Illinois, GO, Ser. D

 

5.00

 

11/1/2027

 

3,500,000

 

3,746,744

 

Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, Revenue Bonds (McCormick Place Project) (Insured; National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.) Ser. A

 

0.00

 

12/15/2036

 

1,400,000

g 

733,116

 

Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (McCormick Place Expansion Project)

 

5.00

 

6/15/2050

 

1,750,000

 

1,786,555

 

Sales Tax Securitization Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2032

 

2,000,000

 

2,250,386

 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2017-XM0492), (Illinois Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (The University of Chicago)) Non-recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 5.00

 

10.55

 

10/1/2040

 

7,000,000

c,e,f 

7,338,778

 

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

 

5.00

 

4/1/2044

 

2,500,000

 

2,539,862

 
 

36,999,054

 

Indiana - 5.3%

     

Indiana Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (BHI Senior Living Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

6.00

 

11/15/2023

 

3,500,000

d 

3,632,324

 

Indiana Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (Green Bond)

 

7.00

 

3/1/2039

 

2,025,000

c 

1,617,286

 

Indiana Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (Ohio River Bridges East End Crossing Project) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2023

 

5,000,000

d 

5,097,785

 

Indiana Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (Parkview Health System Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

11/1/2043

 

1,500,000

 

1,571,338

 
 

11,918,733

 

9

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 153.5% (continued)

     

Iowa - .6%

     

Iowa Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Iowa Fertilizer Co. Project)

 

5.00

 

12/1/2050

 

1,250,000

 

1,266,924

 

Kansas - .1%

     

Kansas Development Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

4.00

 

11/15/2025

 

150,000

 

141,198

 

Kentucky - .7%

     

Christian County, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Jennie Stuart Medical Center Obligated Group)

 

5.50

 

2/1/2044

 

1,000,000

 

1,023,139

 

Henderson , Revenue Bonds (Pratt Paper Project) Ser. A

 

4.70

 

1/1/2052

 

600,000

c 

595,241

 
 

1,618,380

 

Louisiana - .9%

     

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Impala Warehousing Project)

 

6.50

 

7/1/2036

 

1,000,000

c 

1,011,966

 

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Tulane University) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

4/1/2050

 

885,000

 

832,330

 

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Tulane University) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

4/1/2030

 

115,000

d 

124,134

 
 

1,968,430

 

Maryland - .6%

     

Maryland Economic Development Corp., Revenue Bonds (Green Bond) (Purple Line Transit Partners LLC) Ser. B

 

5.25

 

6/30/2052

 

1,200,000

 

1,275,359

 

Massachusetts - 2.7%

     

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

 

5.00

 

10/1/2057

 

1,000,000

c 

1,048,344

 

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

 

5.00

 

7/1/2034

 

1,550,000

 

1,646,713

 

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

 

5.00

 

7/1/2029

 

900,000

 

991,334

 

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

7/1/2030

 

1,000,000

 

1,102,142

 

10

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 153.5% (continued)

     

Massachusetts - 2.7% (continued)

     

Massachusetts Port Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Bosfuel Project) Ser. A

 

4.00

 

7/1/2044

 

1,500,000

 

1,407,029

 
 

6,195,562

 

Michigan - 5.0%

     

Detroit, GO, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

4/1/2050

 

1,000,000

 

1,004,574

 

Michigan Building Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

4.00

 

10/15/2049

 

2,500,000

 

2,366,480

 

Michigan Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.) Ser. D6

 

5.00

 

7/1/2036

 

2,250,000

 

2,328,302

 

Michigan Housing Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

3.35

 

12/1/2034

 

2,500,000

 

2,332,611

 

Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. C

 

0.00

 

6/1/2058

 

41,200,000

g 

1,892,398

 

Wayne County Airport Authority, Revenue Bonds (Insured; Build America Mutual) Ser. B

 

5.00

 

12/1/2039

 

1,250,000

 

1,296,265

 
 

11,220,630

 

Minnesota - .9%

     

Duluth Economic Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Essentia Health Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

2/15/2058

 

2,000,000

 

2,036,873

 

Missouri - 2.6%

     

Kansas City Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Kansas City International Airport Terminal) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

3/1/2044

 

1,000,000

 

1,029,815

 

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

 

5.13

 

9/1/2049

 

1,000,000

 

922,534

 

St. Louis County Industrial Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Friendship Village Sunset Hills)

 

5.00

 

9/1/2042

 

1,000,000

 

930,636

 

The Missouri Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds (Mercy Health)

 

4.00

 

6/1/2053

 

1,000,000

 

926,024

 

The Missouri Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (St. Louis College of Pharmacy Project)

 

5.50

 

5/1/2043

 

2,000,000

 

2,040,151

 
 

5,849,160

 

11

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 153.5% (continued)

     

Multi-State - .6%

     

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Multifamily Variable Rate Certificates, Revenue Bonds, Ser. M048

 

3.15

 

1/15/2036

 

1,425,000

c 

1,318,327

 

Nevada - 1.4%

     

Clark County School District, GO (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.) Ser. A

 

4.25

 

6/15/2041

 

2,155,000

 

2,156,314

 

Reno, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.)

 

4.00

 

6/1/2058

 

1,000,000

 

906,948

 
 

3,063,262

 

New Hampshire - 1.1%

     

New Hampshire Business Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Springpoint Senior Living Obligated Group)

 

4.00

 

1/1/2051

 

3,000,000

 

2,560,040

 

New Jersey - 5.0%

     

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.38

 

1/1/2043

 

2,500,000

 

2,544,041

 

New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Revenue Bonds (Continental Airlines Project)

 

5.13

 

9/15/2023

 

1,330,000

 

1,344,668

 

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

 

5.25

 

6/15/2027

 

2,500,000

 

2,645,925

 

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

 

5.25

 

6/15/2040

 

1,890,000

 

1,951,427

 

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

 

5.25

 

6/15/2025

 

110,000

d 

118,321

 

New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, Revenue Bonds

 

5.00

 

6/15/2046

 

1,000,000

 

1,033,317

 

New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

4.00

 

1/1/2048

 

1,800,000

 

1,706,793

 
 

11,344,492

 

New York - 15.3%

     

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

 

5.00

 

11/15/2044

 

3,500,000

c 

3,385,801

 

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

 

5.00

 

7/1/2044

 

2,000,000

 

2,013,849

 

12

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 153.5% (continued)

     

New York - 15.3% (continued)

     

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

 

5.00

 

12/1/2040

 

1,200,000

 

1,248,657

 

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

 

5.00

 

12/1/2037

 

2,000,000

 

2,104,972

 

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

 

4.75

 

11/1/2042

 

2,000,000

c 

1,931,884

 

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

 

4.00

 

7/15/2055

 

1,750,000

 

1,547,457

 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2017-XF2419), (Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds) Non-recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 5.00

 

11.65

 

11/15/2038

 

15,000,000

c,e,f 

15,102,675

 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2022-XM1004), (Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Green Bond) (Insured; Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp., Ser. C)) Non-recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 4.00

 

4.67

 

11/15/2047

 

3,300,000

c,e,f 

3,147,263

 

Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. A1

 

5.00

 

5/15/2051

 

2,410,000

 

2,584,978

 

TSASC Inc., Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

6/1/2045

 

585,000

 

577,132

 

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

 

5.00

 

7/1/2046

 

1,000,000

c 

861,537

 
 

34,506,205

 

North Carolina - 1.1%

     

North Carolina Medical Care Commission, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Lutheran Services for the Aging Inc. Obligated Group)

 

4.00

 

3/1/2051

 

2,000,000

 

1,498,754

 

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

 

4.00

 

1/1/2055

 

1,000,000

 

937,329

 
 

2,436,083

 

13

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 153.5% (continued)

     

Ohio - 7.4%

     

Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B2

 

5.00

 

6/1/2055

 

7,700,000

 

7,334,081

 

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

 

5.25

 

2/15/2047

 

2,500,000

 

2,574,569

 

Muskingum County, Revenue Bonds (Genesis HealthCare System Project)

 

5.00

 

2/15/2044

 

7,000,000

 

6,796,994

 
 

16,705,644

 

Oklahoma - .7%

     

Tulsa County Industrial Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Montereau Project)

 

5.25

 

11/15/2045

 

1,500,000

 

1,537,578

 

Pennsylvania - 11.6%

     

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

 

5.00

 

5/1/2042

 

1,000,000

c 

1,018,229

 

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

 

5.00

 

2/1/2032

 

1,455,000

 

1,620,406

 

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

 

5.00

 

12/1/2042

 

1,500,000

 

1,503,776

 

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

 

5.00

 

12/1/2037

 

4,000,000

 

4,013,091

 

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

 

5.00

 

11/15/2045

 

1,000,000

 

1,052,131

 

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

 

5.00

 

9/1/2045

 

3,000,000

 

3,065,701

 

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Revenue Bonds, Ser. B

 

4.00

 

12/1/2051

 

1,000,000

 

916,032

 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2017-XF1060), (Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission, Revenue Bonds) Recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 5.00

 

9.15

 

12/1/2042

 

13,000,000

c,e,f 

13,086,697

 
 

26,276,063

 

14

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 153.5% (continued)

     

Rhode Island - 1.9%

     

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

 

5.00

 

9/15/2037

 

4,000,000

 

4,356,023

 

South Carolina - 3.5%

     

South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Lutheran Homes of South Carolina Obligated Group)

 

5.13

 

5/1/2048

 

1,750,000

 

1,554,797

 

South Carolina Public Service Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Santee Cooper)

 

5.13

 

12/1/2043

 

5,000,000

 

5,057,274

 

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

 

4.00

 

12/1/2055

 

1,500,000

 

1,351,524

 
 

7,963,595

 

Texas - 11.9%

     

Clifton Higher Education Finance Corp., Revenue Bonds (IDEA Public Schools)

 

6.00

 

8/15/2043

 

1,500,000

 

1,531,443

 

Clifton Higher Education Finance Corp., Revenue Bonds (International Leadership of Texas Inc.) Ser. A

 

5.75

 

8/15/2045

 

2,500,000

 

2,565,285

 

Clifton Higher Education Finance Corp., Revenue Bonds (International Leadership of Texas Inc.) Ser. D

 

6.13

 

8/15/2048

 

3,500,000

 

3,632,011

 

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

11/1/2040

 

1,500,000

 

1,646,420

 

Grand Parkway Transportation Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

4.00

 

10/1/2049

 

1,000,000

 

944,896

 

Grand Parkway Transportation Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

4.00

 

10/1/2045

 

1,165,000

 

1,114,521

 

Mission Economic Development Corp., Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Natgasoline Project)

 

4.63

 

10/1/2031

 

1,500,000

c 

1,522,506

 

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2016-XM0374), (Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation, Revenue Bonds (Baylor Health Care System Project)) Non-recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 5.00

 

10.54

 

11/15/2038

 

7,410,000

c,e,f 

7,544,543

 

15

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 153.5% (continued)

     

Texas - 11.9% (continued)

     

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts (Series 2022-XF1366), (Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Revenue Bonds (Christus Health) Ser. A) Non-recourse, Underlying Coupon Rate (%) 5.00

 

0.01

 

7/1/2053

 

2,680,000

c,e,f 

2,817,276

 

Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp., Revenue Bonds (Segment 3C Project)

 

5.00

 

6/30/2058

 

3,500,000

 

3,540,070

 
 

26,858,971

 

U.S. Related - .8%

     

Puerto Rico, GO, Ser. A

 

0.00

 

7/1/2024

 

54,647

g 

50,507

 

Puerto Rico, GO, Ser. A

 

0.00

 

7/1/2033

 

211,359

g 

120,284

 

Puerto Rico, GO, Ser. A1

 

4.00

 

7/1/2037

 

126,704

 

113,539

 

Puerto Rico, GO, Ser. A1

 

4.00

 

7/1/2035

 

147,628

 

135,737

 

Puerto Rico, GO, Ser. A1

 

4.00

 

7/1/2046

 

179,157

 

152,142

 

Puerto Rico, GO, Ser. A1

 

4.00

 

7/1/2041

 

172,269

 

150,445

 

Puerto Rico, GO, Ser. A1

 

4.00

 

7/1/2033

 

164,238

 

153,894

 

Puerto Rico, GO, Ser. A1

 

5.25

 

7/1/2023

 

91,712

 

93,101

 

Puerto Rico, GO, Ser. A1

 

5.38

 

7/1/2025

 

182,915

 

188,781

 

Puerto Rico, GO, Ser. A1

 

5.63

 

7/1/2029

 

178,318

 

192,054

 

Puerto Rico, GO, Ser. A1

 

5.63

 

7/1/2027

 

181,259

 

192,353

 

Puerto Rico, GO, Ser. A1

 

5.75

 

7/1/2031

 

173,199

 

190,011

 
 

1,732,848

 

Utah - 1.2%

     

Salt Lake City, Revenue Bonds, Ser. A

 

5.00

 

7/1/2042

 

1,205,000

 

1,240,718

 

Utah Charter School Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding (Summit Academy) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

4/15/2039

 

1,400,000

 

1,507,994

 
 

2,748,712

 

Virginia - 1.5%

     

Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority, Revenue Bonds (Fort Norfolk Retirement Community Inc. Obligated Group) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

1/1/2049

 

1,000,000

 

903,815

 

Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding

 

5.00

 

12/31/2057

 

1,500,000

 

1,539,709

 

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

 

4.00

 

1/1/2048

 

1,000,000

 

873,737

 
 

3,317,261

 

Washington - 2.6%

     

Port of Seattle, Revenue Bonds

 

4.00

 

4/1/2044

 

1,000,000

 

929,859

 

16

 

          
 

Description

Coupon
Rate (%)

 

Maturity

Date

 

Principal

Amount ($)

 

Value ($)

 

Long-Term Municipal Investments - 153.5% (continued)

     

Washington - 2.6% (continued)

     

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

 

5.00

 

10/1/2042

 

5,000,000

 

5,005,853

 
 

5,935,712

 

Wisconsin - 2.7%

     

Public Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds (Cone Health) Ser. A

 

5.00

 

10/1/2052

 

1,000,000

 

1,048,126

 

Public Finance Authority, Revenue Bonds, Refunding, Ser. B

 

5.00

 

7/1/2042

 

5,000,000

 

5,027,488

 
 

6,075,614

 

Total Investments (cost $351,957,269)

 

153.5%

346,255,239

 

Liabilities, Less Cash and Receivables

 

(20.2%)

(45,744,277)

 

RVMTPS, at liquidation value

 

(33.3%)

(75,000,000)

 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders

 

100.0%

225,510,962

 

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

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

c Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At August 31, 2022, these securities were valued at $93,126,885 or 41.3% of net assets.

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

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

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

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

17

 

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

  

Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)

Value (%)

Medical

22.6

Education

20.9

Transportation

20.7

General

17.9

Airport

14.0

Development

10.6

Nursing Homes

9.2

Prerefunded

8.5

General Obligation

6.2

Tobacco Settlement

4.8

Water

4.6

Power

4.4

Utilities

3.0

School District

2.4

Multifamily Housing

1.2

Single Family Housing

1.0

Student Loan

.5

Special Tax

.5

Facilities

.5

 

153.5

 Based on net assets.

See notes to financial statements.

18

 

    
 

Summary of Abbreviations (Unaudited)

 

ABAG

Association of Bay Area Governments

AGC

ACE Guaranty Corporation

AGIC

Asset Guaranty Insurance Company

AMBAC

American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation

BAN

Bond Anticipation Notes

BSBY

Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index

CIFG

CDC Ixis Financial Guaranty

COP

Certificate of Participation

CP

Commercial Paper

DRIVERS

Derivative Inverse Tax-Exempt Receipts

EFFR

Effective Federal Funds Rate

FGIC

Financial Guaranty Insurance Company

FHA

Federal Housing Administration

FHLB

Federal Home Loan Bank

FHLMC

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

FNMA

Federal National Mortgage Association

GAN

Grant Anticipation Notes

GIC

Guaranteed Investment Contract

GNMA

Government National Mortgage Association

GO

General Obligation

IDC

Industrial Development Corporation

LIBOR

London Interbank Offered Rate

LOC

Letter of Credit

LR

Lease Revenue

NAN

Note Anticipation Notes

MFHR

Multi-Family Housing Revenue

MFMR

Multi-Family Mortgage Revenue

MUNIPSA

Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index Yield

OBFR

Overnight Bank Funding Rate

PILOT

Payment in Lieu of Taxes

PRIME

Prime Lending Rate

PUTTERS

Puttable Tax-Exempt Receipts

RAC

Revenue Anticipation Certificates

RAN

Revenue Anticipation Notes

RIB

Residual Interest Bonds

SFHR

Single Family Housing Revenue

SFMR

Single Family Mortgage Revenue

SOFR

Secured Overnight Financing Rate

TAN

Tax Anticipation Notes

TRAN

Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes

U.S. T-BILL

U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield

XLCA

XL Capital Assurance

RVMTPS

Remarketable Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares

VMTPS

Remarketable Variable Rate Muni Term Preferred Shares

See notes to financial statements.

19

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

August 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

Value

 

Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

Investments in securities—See Statement of Investments

351,957,269

 

346,255,239

 

Cash

 

 

 

 

1,490,493

 

Interest receivable

 

4,155,857

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

 

 

209,803

 

 

 

 

 

 

352,111,392

 

Liabilities ($):

 

 

 

 

Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates—Note 2(b)

 

207,577

 

Payable for inverse floater notes issued—Note 3

 

47,060,000

 

Payable for investment securities purchased

 

3,021,170

 

Dividends payable to Common Shareholders

 

975,341

 

Interest and expense payable related to
inverse floater notes issued—Note 3

 

234,253

 

Directors’ fees and expenses payable

 

21,025

 

Other accrued expenses

 

 

 

 

81,064

 

 

 

 

 

 

51,600,430

 

RVMTPS, $.001 par value per share (750 shares issued and outstanding at $100,000 per share liquidation value)—Note 1

 

75,000,000

 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders ($)

 

 

225,510,962

 

Composition of Net Assets ($):

 

 

 

 

Common Stock, par value, $.001 per share
(18,402,409 shares
issued and outstanding)

 

 

 

 

18,402

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

262,458,837

 

Total distributable earnings (loss)

 

 

 

 

(36,966,277)

 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders ($)

 

 

225,510,962

 

     

Shares Outstanding

 

 

(250 million shares authorized)

18,402,409

 

Net Asset Value Per Share of Common Stock ($)

 

12.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

  

 

20

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Six Months Ended August 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income ($):

 

 

 

 

Interest Income

 

 

7,856,272

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

Management fee—Note 2(a)

 

 

1,171,354

 

RVMTPS interest expense and fees—Note 1(g) and Note 3

 

 

833,977

 

Interest and expense related to inverse
floater notes issued—Note 3

 

 

361,415

 

Directors’ fees and expenses—Note 2(c)

 

 

55,760

 

Professional fees

 

 

54,984

 

Shareholders’ reports

 

 

16,588

 

Registration fees

 

 

9,912

 

Shareholder servicing costs

 

 

7,680

 

Chief Compliance Officer fees—Note 2(b)

 

 

5,292

 

Tender and paying agent fees—Note 2(b)

 

 

3,975

 

Custodian fees—Note 2(b)

 

 

3,311

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

31,768

 

Total Expenses

 

 

2,556,016

 

Less—reduction in fees due to earnings credits—Note 2(b)

 

 

(215)

 

Net Expenses

 

 

2,555,801

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

5,300,471

 

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments—Note 3 ($):

 

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

(2,486,356)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

(26,581,267)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

 

 

(29,067,623)

 

Net (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common
Shareholders Resulting from Operations

 

(23,767,152)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

     

21

 

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Six Months Ended August 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities ($):

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of portfolio securities

 

(63,031,934)

 

 

 

Proceeds from sales of portfolio securities

58,059,166

 

 

 

Interest income received

 

7,777,879

 

 

 

Interest and expense related to inverse floater notes issued

 

(222,660)

 

 

 

RVMTPS interest expense and fees paid

 

(833,977)

 

 

 

Expenses paid to BNY Mellon Investment
Adviser, Inc. and affiliates

 

(1,176,414)

 

 

 

Operating expenses paid

 

(155,489)

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided (or Used) in Operating Activities

 

 

 

416,571

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities ($):

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid to Common Shareholders

 

(5,808,097)

 

 

 

Increase in payable for inverse floater notes issued

 

(1,580,000)

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided (or Used) in Financing Activities

 

(7,388,097)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash

 

(6,971,526)

 

Cash at beginning of period

 

8,462,019

 

Cash at End of Period

 

1,490,493

 

Reconciliation of Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to

 

 

 

 

Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations to

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided (or Used) in Operating Activities ($):

 

 

 

Net (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

 

(23,767,152)

 

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

 

Applicable to Common Shareholders Resulting from

 

 

 

 

Operations to Net Cash Provided (or Used) in Operating Activities ($):

 

 

 

Increase in investments in securities at cost

 

(3,735,032)

 

Increase in interest receivable

 

(78,393)

 

Decrease in prepaid expenses

 

43,519

 

Increase in Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates

 

7,303

 

Increase in payable for investment securities purchased

 

1,248,620

 

Increase in interest and expense payable related to inverse floater notes issued

 

138,755

 

Increase in Directors' fees and expenses payable

 

2,036

 

Decrease in other accrued expenses

 

(24,352)

 

Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments

 

26,581,267

 

Net Cash Provided (or Used) in Operating Activities

 

416,571

 

Supplemental Disclosure Cash Flow Information ($):

 

 

 

Non-cash financing activities:

 

 

 

Reinvestment of dividends

 

42,864

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

     

22

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
August 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

Year Ended
February 28, 2022

 

Operations ($):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

5,300,471

 

 

 

11,588,662

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

 

(2,486,356)

 

 

 

861,100

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on investments

 

(26,581,267)

 

 

 

(10,748,926)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable
to Common Shareholders Resulting from
Operations

(23,767,152)

 

 

 

1,700,836

 

Distributions ($):

 

Distributions to Common Shareholders

 

 

(5,851,154)

 

 

 

(11,699,254)

 

Capital Stock Transactions ($):

 

Distributions reinvested

 

 

42,864

 

 

 

143,733

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
from Capital Stock Transactions

42,864

 

 

 

143,733

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
Applicable to Common Shareholders

(29,575,442)

 

 

 

(9,854,685)

 

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders ($):

 

Beginning of Period

 

 

255,086,404

 

 

 

264,941,089

 

End of Period

 

 

225,510,962

 

 

 

255,086,404

 

Capital Share Transactions (Common Shares):

 

Shares issued for distributions reinvested

 

 

3,414

 

 

 

9,752

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding

3,414

 

 

 

9,752

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

        

23

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The following table describes the performance for the fiscal periods indicated. Market price total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market price at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at market price during the period, and sale at the market price on the last day of the period. These figures have been derived from the fund’s financial statements and with respect to common stock, market price data for the fund’s common shares.

         
 

Six Months Ended

   
 

August 31, 2022

 

Year Ended February 28/29,

 
 

(Unaudited)

 

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

 

Per Share Data ($):

        

Net asset value, beginning of period

13.86

 

14.41

15.06

13.75

13.96

13.68

 

Investment Operations:

        

Net investment incomea

.29

 

.63

.66

.64

.66

.69

 

Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments

(1.58)

 

(.54)

(.67)

1.31

(.23)

.23

 

Total from Investment Operations

(1.29)

 

.09

(.01)

1.95

.43

.92

 

Distributions to
Common Shareholders:

        

Dividends from
net investment income

(.32)

 

(.64)

(.64)

(.64)

(.64)

(.64)

 

Net asset value, end of period

12.25

 

13.86

14.41

15.06

13.75

13.96

 

Market value, end of period

13.53

 

13.17

13.95

14.18

12.67

12.29

 

Market Price Total Return (%)

5.40

b 

(1.33)

3.15

17.12

8.49

1.78

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):

        

Ratio of total expenses
to average net assets

2.16

c 

1.68

1.87

2.12

2.19

2.02

 

Ratio of net expenses
to average net assets

2.16

c 

1.68

1.87

2.12

2.19

2.02

 

Ratio of interest and expense related
to inverse floater notes issued,
RVMTPS and VMTPS interest expense and fees
to average net assets

1.01

c 

.55

.69

1.05

1.07

.90

 

Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets

4.48

c 

4.32

4.72

4.43

4.76

4.89

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

17.27

b 

11.33

17.56

22.94

21.46

9.77

 

Asset coverage of
RVMTPS and VMTPS, end of period

401

 

440

453

469

437

442

 

Net Assets, Applicable
to Common Shareholders,
end of period ($ x 1,000)

225,511

 

255,086

264,941

276,836

252,668

256,566

 

RVMTPS and VMTPS outstanding,
end of period ($ x 1,000)

75,000

 

75,000

75,000

75,000

75,000

75,000

 

Floating Rate Notes
outstanding ($ x 1,000)

47,060

 

48,640

59,890

59,845

42,055

42,055

 

a Based on average common shares outstanding.

b Not annualized.

c Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

24

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

NOTE 1—Significant Accounting Policies:

BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (the “fund”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), is a diversified closed-end management investment company. The fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide as high a level of current income exempt from regular federal income tax as is 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”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as the fund’s sub-adviser. The fund’s common stock (“Common Stock”) trades on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the ticker symbol DMB.

The fund has outstanding 750 shares of Remarketable Variable Rate MuniFund Term Preferred Shares (“RVMTPS”). The fund is subject to certain restrictions relating to the RVMTPS. Failure to comply with these restrictions could preclude the fund from declaring any distributions to shareholders of Common Stock (“Common Shareholders”) or repurchasing shares of Common Stock and/or could trigger the mandatory redemption of RVMTPS at their liquidation value (i.e., $100,000 per share). Thus, redemptions of RVMTPS may be deemed to be outside of the control of the fund.

The RVMTPS have a mandatory redemption date of October 16, 2049, and are subject to mandatory tender upon each 42 month anniversary of October 16, 2020 or upon the end of a Special Terms Period (as defined in the fund’s articles supplementary) (each an Early Term Redemption Date (as defined in the fund’s articles supplementary)), subject to the option of the holders to retain the RVMTPS. RVMTPS that are neither retained by the holder nor successfully remarketed by the Early Term Redemption Date will be redeemed by the fund. The fund is subject to a Tender and Paying Agent Agreement with BNY Mellon, with respect to the RVMTPS.

The holders of RVMTPS, voting as a separate class, have the right to elect at least two directors. The holders of RVMTPS will vote as a separate class on certain other matters, as required by law. The fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has designated Nathan Leventhal and Benaree Pratt Wiley as directors to be elected by the holders of  RVMTPS.

Dividends on RVMTPS are normally declared daily and paid monthly. The Dividend Rate on the RVMTPS is, except as otherwise provided, equal to the rate per annum that results from the sum of (1) the Index Rate plus (2)

25

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

the Applicable Spread as determined for the RVMTPS on the Rate Determination Date immediately preceding such Subsequent Rate Period plus (3) the Failed Remarketing Spread (all defined terms as defined in the fund’s articles supplementary).

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 Securities and Exchange Commission (“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.

26

 

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

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

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

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

On August 3, 2022 the Board approved, effective September 8, 2022, 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 adopted all other updates pursuant to Rule 2A-5.

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.

27

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

These securities are either categorized within Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the relevant inputs used.

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of August 31, 2022 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

-

346,255,239

 

-

346,255,239

 

Liabilities ($)

  

Other Financial Instruments:

  

Inverse Floater Notes††

-

(47,060,000)

 

-

(47,060,000)

 

RVMTPS††

-

(75,000,000)

 

-

(75,000,000)

 

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

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

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

(c) Risk: 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. Recent

28

 

examples include pandemic risks related to COVID-19 and aggressive measures taken world-wide in response by governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines of large populations, and by businesses, including changes to operations and reducing staff. The effects of COVID-19 have contributed to increased volatility in global markets and will likely affect certain countries, companies, industries and market sectors more dramatically than others. The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and any other outbreak of an infectious disease or other serious public health concern could have, a significant negative impact on economic and market conditions and could trigger a prolonged period of global economic slowdown. To the extent the fund may overweight its investments in certain countries, companies, industries or market sectors, such positions will increase the fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those countries, companies, industries or sectors.

(d) Dividends and distributions to Common Shareholders: Dividends and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income are normally declared and 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.

Common Shareholders will have their distributions reinvested in additional shares of the fund, unless such Common Shareholders elect to receive cash, at the lower of the market price or net asset value per share (but not less than 95% of the market price). If market price is equal to or exceeds net asset value, shares will be issued at net asset value. If net asset value exceeds market price, Computershare Inc., the transfer agent for the fund’s Common Stock, will buy fund shares in the open market and reinvest those shares accordingly.

On August 2, 2022, the Board declared a cash dividend of $.053 per share from net investment income, payable on September 1, 2022, to Common Shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 17, 2022. The ex-dividend date was August 16, 2022.

(e) Dividends and distributions to shareholders of RVMTPS: Dividends on RVMTPS are normally declared daily and paid monthly. The Dividend Rate on the RVMTPS is, except as otherwise provided, equal to

29

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

the rate per annum that results from the sum of (1) the Index Rate plus (2) the Applicable Spread as determined for the RVMTPS on the Rate Determination Date immediately preceding such Subsequent Rate Period plus (3) the Failed Remarketing Spread. The Applicable Rate of the RVMTPS was equal to the sum of 1.20% per annum plus the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Municipal Swap Index rate of 1.67% on August 31, 2022. The dividend rate as of August 31, 2022 for the RVMTPS was 2.87% (all defined terms as defined in the fund’s articles supplementary.

(f) 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 August 31, 2022, the fund did not have any liabilities for any uncertain tax positions. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended August 31, 2022, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

Each tax year in the three-year period ended February 28, 2022 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities.

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 fund has an unused capital loss carryover of $30,422,900 available for federal income tax purposes to be applied against future net realized capital gains, if any, realized subsequent to February 28, 2022. These short-term capital losses can be carried forward for an unlimited period.

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2022 was as follows: tax-exempt income of $11,678,686 and ordinary income of $20,568. The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.

(g) RVMTPS: The fund’s RVMTPS aggregate liquidation preference is shown as a liability, if any, since they have stated mandatory redemption date of October 16, 2049. Dividends paid to RVMTPS are treated as interest expense and recorded on the accrual basis. Costs directly related to the issuance of the RVMTPS are considered debt issuance costs which have been fully amortized into the expense over the life of the RVMTPS.

30

 

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

NOTE 2—Management Fee, Sub-Advisory Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

(a) Pursuant to a management agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Adviser, the management fee is computed at the annual rate of .65% of the value of the fund’s daily total assets, including any assets attributable to effective leverage, minus certain defined accrued liabilities (the “Managed Assets”) and is payable monthly.

Pursuant to a sub-investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, the Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a monthly fee at the annual rate of .27% of the value of the fund’s average daily Managed Assets.

(b) The fund has an arrangement with The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”), a subsidiary of BNY Mellon and an affiliate of the Adviser, whereby the fund will receive interest income or be charged overdraft fees when cash balances are maintained. For financial reporting purposes, the fund includes this interest income and overdraft fees, if any, as interest income in the Statement of Operations.

The fund compensates the Custodian under a custody agreement, for providing custodial services for the fund. These fees are determined based on net assets and transaction activity. During the period ended August 31, 2022, the fund was charged $3,311 pursuant to the custody agreement.

31

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) (continued)

These fees were partially offset by the Custodian from an earnings credit of $215.

The fund compensates BNY Mellon under a Tender and Paying Agent Agreement for providing certain transfer agency and payment services with respect to the RVMTPS. During the period ended August 31, 2022, the fund was charged $3,975 for the services provided by the Tender and Paying Agent.

During the period ended August 31, 2022, the fund was charged $5,292 for services performed by the Chief Compliance Officer and his staff. These fees are included in Chief Compliance Officer fees in the Statement of Operations.

The components of “Due to BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. and affiliates” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities consist of: Management fee of $194,941, Custodian fees of $2,500, Tender and Paying Agent fees of $8,613 and Chief Compliance Officer fees of $1,523.

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

NOTE 3—Securities Transactions:

The aggregate amount of purchases and sales (including paydowns) of investment securities, excluding short-term securities during the period ended August 31, 2022, amounted to $61,202,464 and $52,828,504, 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

32

 

investments, and the Trust Certificates reflected as fund liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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

The average amount of borrowings outstanding under the inverse floater structure during the period ended August 31, 2022 was approximately $48,121,685, with a related weighted average annualized interest rate of 1.49%.

RVMTPS: During the period ended August 31, 2022, total fees pursuant to RVMTPS amounted to $833,977 inclusive of $759,308 of interest expense and $74,669 of amortized deferred cost fees. These fees are included in RVMTPS interest expense and fees in the Statement of Operations.

The average amount of borrowings outstanding for the RVMTPS during the period ended August 31, 2022 was approximately $75,000,000, with a related weighted average annualized interest rate of 2.01%.

At August 31, 2022, accumulated net unrealized depreciation on investments was $5,702,030, consisting of $7,131,461 gross unrealized appreciation and $12,833,491 gross unrealized depreciation.

At August 31, 2022, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially the same as the cost for financial reporting purposes (see the Statement of Investments).

33

 

PROXY RESULTS (Unaudited)

Common Shareholders and holders of RVMTPS voted together as a single class (except as noted below) on the following proposal presented at the annual shareholders’ meeting held on August 16, 2022.

     

 

 

Shares

  

For

 

Authority Withheld

To elect three Class II Directors:

   
 

J. Charles Cardona

14,516,904

 

457,719

 

Robin A. Melvin

14,507,079

 

467,544

 

Nathan Leventhal††

750

 

-

 The terms of these Directors expire in 2025.

†† Elected soley by RVMTPS holders, Common Shareholders not entitled to vote.

34

 

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

At a meeting of the fund’s Board of Directors held on August 1-2, 2022, 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 noted that the fund is a closed-end fund without daily inflows and outflows of capital and provided the fund’s asset size.

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, which included information comparing (1) the fund’s performance with the performance of a group of general and insured municipal debt leveraged closed-end funds selected by Broadridge as comparable to the fund (the “Performance Group”) and with a broader group of funds consisting of all general and insured municipal debt leveraged closed-end funds (the “Performance Universe”), all for various periods ended June 30, 2022, and (2) the fund’s actual and contractual management fees and total expenses with those of the same group of funds in the Performance Group (the “Expense Group”) and with a broader group of funds consisting of all general and insured municipal debt leveraged closed-end 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.

35

 

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

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 and the extent and manner in which leverage is employed that may be applicable to the fund and comparison funds and the end date selected. 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, on a net asset value basis, was above the Performance Group and Performance Universe medians for all periods, and ranked in the first quartile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for the one-, two- and three-year periods and the five-year period of the Performance Universe. The Board also considered that the fund’s total return performance, on a market price basis, was above the Performance Group and Performance Universe medians for all periods, and ranked in the first quartile of the Performance Group and Performance Universe for all periods. The Board also considered that the fund’s yield performance, on a net asset value basis, was below the Performance Group medians for seven of the nine one-year periods ended June 30th, and below the Performance Universe medians for eight of the nine one-year periods ended June 30th and, on a market price basis, was at or above the Performance Group medians for five of the nine one-year periods ended June 30th and below the Performance Universe medians for eight of the nine one-year periods ended June 30th. The Board considered the relative proximity of the fund’s yield performance to the relevant Performance Group and/or Performance Universe medians in certain periods when the fund’s yield performance was below median. The Adviser also provided a comparison of the fund’s calendar year total returns, on a net asset value basis, 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 six calendar years shown.

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. 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 higher than the Expense Group median contractual management fee, the fund’s actual management fee, based on common assets and leveraged assets together, was higher than the Expense Group median and the Expense Universe median actual management fees, and, based on common assets alone, was higher than the Expense Group median and the Expense Universe median actual management fees, and the fund’s total expenses, based on both common assets alone and on common assets and leveraged assets together, were higher than the Expense Group and the Expense Universe median total expenses.

36

 

Representatives of the Adviser reviewed with the Board the contractual management fee paid by the one other 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, noting that the fund is a closed-end fund. 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 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 of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders. Since the Adviser, and not the fund, pays the Sub-Adviser pursuant to the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board did not consider the Sub-Adviser’s profitability to be relevant to its deliberations. Representatives of the Adviser stated that, because the fund is a closed-end fund without daily inflows and outflows of capital, there were not significant economies of scale at this time to be realized by the Adviser in managing the fund’s assets. 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

37

 

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

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 was satisfied with the fund’s 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, the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates, 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 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 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.

38

 

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39

 

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38

 

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Infrastructure Fund, Inc.

240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286

    

  Directors

 

Officers (continued)

 

Joseph S. DiMartino, Chairman

 

Assistant Treasurers (continued)

 

Francine J. Bovich

 

Robert Salviolo

 

J. Charles Cardona

 

Robert Svagna

 

Andrew J. Donohue

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Isabel P. Dunst

 

Joseph W. Connolly

 

Nathan Leventhal

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Robin A. Melvin

 

Jeffrey Burger

 

Roslyn M. Watson

 

Thomas C. Casey

 

Benaree Pratt Wiley

 

Daniel A. Rabasco

 

Gordon J. Davis††

   

Tamara Belinfanti††

 

Adviser

 

 Elected by holders of RVMTPS

 

BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.

 

†† Advisory Board Member

 

Sub-Adviser

 

Officers

 

Insight North America LLC

 

President

 

Custodian

 

David DiPetrillo

 

The Bank of New York Mellon

 

Chief Legal Officer

 

Counsel

 

Peter M. Sullivan

 

Proskauer Rose LLP

 

Vice President and Secretary

 

Transfer Agent,

 

James Bitetto

 

Dividend Disbursing Agent

 

Vice Presidents and Assistant Secretaries

 

and Registrar

 

Deirdre Cunnane

 

Computershare Inc.

 

Sarah S. Kelleher

 

(Common Stock)

 

Jeff Prusnofsky

 

The Bank of New York Mellon

 

Amanda Quinn

 

(RVMTP Shares)

 

Natalya Zelensky

 

Stock Exchange Listing

 

Treasurer

 

NYSE Symbol: DMB

 

James Windels

 

Initial SEC Effective Date

 

Vice Presidents

 

4/26/13

 

Daniel Goldstein

   

Joseph Martella

   

Assistant Treasurers

   

Gavin C. Reilly

   
    

The fund’s net asset value per share appears in the following publications: Barron’s, Closed-End Bond Funds section under the
heading “Municipal Bond Funds” every Monday; The Wall Street Journal, Mutual Funds section under the heading
“Closed-End Funds” every Monday.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Act that the fund may purchase shares of its common stock in the
open market when it can do so at prices below the then current net asset value per share.

 

For More Information

BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Infrastructure Fund, Inc.

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 &
Registrar (Common Stock)

Computershare Inc.

480 Washington Boulevard

Jersey City, NJ 07310

Dividend Disbursing Agent (Common Stock)

Computershare Inc.

P.O. Box 30170

College Station, TX 77842

  

Ticker Symbol:

DMB

For more information about the fund, visit https://im.bnymellon.com/us/en/products/closed-end-funds.jsp. Here you will find the fund’s most recently available quarterly fact sheets and other information about the fund. The information posted on the fund’s website is subject to change without notice.

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the 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.

The fund posts regularly certain information at https://public.dreyfus.com/insightsideas/
research-articles/splash/DMB.html, including certain asset coverage and leverage ratios (within 5 business days of the last day of each month) and a fact sheet containing certain statistical information (within 15 business days of the last day of each month).

  


0805SA0822

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Item 2.Code of Ethics.

Not applicable.

Item 3.Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable.

Item 4.Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

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) Not applicable.

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

(a)(3) Not applicable.

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

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

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

BNY Mellon Municipal Bond Infrastructure Fund, Inc.

 

By: /s/ David J. DiPetrillo

David J. DiPetrillo

President (Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: October 21, 2022

 

 

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: October 21, 2022

 

 

By: /s/ James Windels

James Windels

Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

Date: October 21, 2022

 

 

 

 
 

EXHIBIT INDEX

(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)