DEF14A

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14 (a)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.


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BNY MELLON STRATEGIC MUNCIPAL BOND FUND, INC.

BNY MELLON STRATEGIC MUNICIPALS, INC.

Correction to Proxy Statement

Important Notice

On page 2 of the enclosed proxy statement the number of outstanding shares provided is hereby corrected to read:

As of April 13, 2022, the Funds had outstanding the following number of shares:


Name of Fund
Common Stock
Outstanding
APS Outstanding
BNYMSMB49,428,6911,972
BNYMSM62,290,8543,156

0852-0853

DREYFUSBNY MELLON STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
DREYFUSBNY MELLON STRATEGIC MUNICIPALS, INC.

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To the Stockholders:Stockholders of BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. ("BNYMSMB") and BNY Mellon Strategic Municipals, Inc. ("BNYMSM") (each, a "Fund" and together, the "Funds"):

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting") of each of Dreyfus Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (“DSMB”) and Dreyfus Strategic Municipals, Inc. (“DSM”) (each, a “Fund”)the Funds will be held at the offices of The Dreyfus Corporation, 240 Greenwich Street, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10286,in a virtual meeting format only, on Wednesday,Thursday, June 12, 201916, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, for the following purposes:

1.     

1. To elect the following Directors:

·For BNYMSMB, two Class II Directors to serve for three-year terms and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;

·For BNYMSM, two Class I Directors to serve for three-year terms and one Class II Director to serve for a one-year term, and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Due to the public health and safety concerns of COVID-19, and to support the health and well-being of our stockholders and officers, and other attendees, the Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only. You will not be able to attend the Meeting in person.

To elect the following Directors:

  • for DSMB, three Class II Directors to serve for three-year terms and one Class I Director to serve for a two-year term, and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;

  • for DSM, three Class I Directors to serve for three-year terms, and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

    2.     

    To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

    Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 10, 201913, 2022 will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting.Meeting. To participate in the Meeting, you must go to the Meeting website at www.meetnow.global/MPRYJX4, and enter the control number found on your proxy card(s).

    If you hold your shares through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker, you must register in advance to attend the Meeting. To register you must submit proof of your proxy power (legal proxy) reflecting your Fund holdings along with your name and email address to Computershare Fund Services, the Funds' tabulator. You may forward an email from your intermediary or attach an image of your legal proxy to shareholdermeetings@computershare.com. Requests for registration should be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Friday, June 10, 2022. You will receive a confirmation email from Computershare of your registration and a control number that will allow you to vote at the Meeting. For requests received after 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Friday, June 10, 2022, Computershare will attempt to register you, but may be unable to do so prior to the Meeting.

    Questions from stockholders to be considered at the Meeting must be submitted to BNY Mellon Investment Management at 1-800-334-6899 or instsales@bnymellon.com no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Friday, June 10, 2022. Only questions that are pertinent, as determined by the chairperson of the Meeting, will be answered during the Meeting, subject to time constraints.

    Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy in advance of the Meeting by one of the methods described in the proxy materials for the Meeting.

    By Order of the Board

      

    James Bitetto
    Secretary

    New York, New York
    April 30, 2019May 2, 2022

    WE NEED YOUR PROXY VOTE

    A STOCKHOLDER MAY THINK HIS OR HERITS VOTE IS NOT
    IMPORTANT, BUT IT ISVITAL. BY LAW, THE ANNUAL
    MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF A FUND WILL HAVE TO
    BE ADJOURNED WITHOUT CONDUCTING ANY BUSINESS
    IF LESS THAN A QUORUM IS REPRESENTED. IN THAT
    EVENT, THE AFFECTED FUND, AT STOCKHOLDERS’
    STOCKHOLDERS' EXPENSE, WOULD CONTINUE TO SOLICIT VOTES IN AN
    ATTEMPT TO ACHIEVE A QUORUM. CLEARLY, YOUR
    VOTE COULD BE CRITICAL TO ENABLE THE FUND
    TO HOLD THE MEETING AS SCHEDULED, SO PLEASE
    RETURN YOUR PROXY CARDCARD(S) OR OTHERWISE VOTE
    PROMPTLY. YOU AND ALL OTHER STOCKHOLDERS
    WILL BENEFIT FROM YOUR COOPERATION.



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    Dear Stockholders,

    On or about June 3, 2019, Dreyfus Strategic Municipals, Inc. will be renamed “BNY Mellon Strategic Municipals, Inc.” and Dreyfus Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. will be renamed “BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.” In addition, on that date, The Dreyfus Corporation, the primary mutual fund business of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and the investment adviser of Dreyfus Strategic Municipals, Inc. and Dreyfus Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., will change its name to “BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.”The changes to the names of the Funds and the names of the Funds’ investment adviser will have no effect on stockholders or their fund accounts, other than to reflect the Funds’ new names.



     


    DREYFUSBNY MELLON STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
    DREYFUSBNY MELLON STRATEGIC MUNICIPALS, INC.

    COMBINED PROXY STATEMENT

    Annual Meeting of Stockholders
    to be held on June 12, 201916, 2022

    This proxy statement is furnished in connection with a solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”"Board") of each of DreyfusBNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (“DSMB”("BNYMSMB") and DreyfusBNY Mellon Strategic Municipals, Inc. (“DSM”"BNYMSM") (each, a “Fund”"Fund" and together, the “Funds”"Funds") to be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of each Fund (the "Meeting") to be held in a virtual meeting format only on Wednesday,Thursday, June 12, 201916, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, at the offices of The Dreyfus Corporation, the Funds’ investment adviser (“Dreyfus” or the “Investment Adviser”), at 240 Greenwich Street, 10th Floor, New York, New York 10286, and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 10, 201913, 2022 are entitled to be present and to vote at the meeting. Meeting. Stockholders will not be able to attend the Meeting in person.

    Stockholders are entitled to one vote for each Fund share held and fractional votes for each fractional Fund share held. Stockholders can vote only on matters affecting the Fund(s) in which they hold shares. If a proposal is approved by stockholders of one Fund and not approved by stockholders of the other Fund, the proposal will be implemented only for the Fund that approved the proposal. Therefore, it is essential that stockholders who own shares inof both Funds complete, date, sign and returneachproxy card they receive, or otherwise vote by telephone or through the Internet. Shares represented by executed and unrevoked proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications made thereon. If any enclosed form of proxy is executed and returned, or if you have voted by telephone or through the Internet, your vote nevertheless may be revoked after it is received by giving another proxy by mail, by calling the toll-free telephone number on the proxy cardcards or through the Internet.Internet (including during the Meeting). To be effective, such revocation must be received before your prior to the meeting. In addition, any stockholder who attends the meeting in person may vote by ballotproxy is exercised at the meeting, thereby canceling any proxy previously given.Meeting.

    A quorum is constituted by the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of one-third of the outstanding shares of a Fund entitled to vote at the meeting.Meeting. Virtual attendance at the Meeting shall constitute in person attendance for purposes of calculating a quorum. If a quorum is not present at the meeting,Meeting, the stockholders present in person or by proxy, by majority vote and without notice other than by announcement at the meeting,Meeting, may adjourn the meeting.Meeting. If a proposal is to be voted upon by only one class of a Fund’sFund's shares, a quorum of that class of shares (the holders of one-third of the outstanding shares of the class) must be present in person or by proxy at the



    meeting Meeting in order for the proposal to be considered. Each Fund has two classes of capital stock: Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”"Common Stock"), and Auction Preferred Stock, par value $0.001

    $0.001 per share, liquidation preference $25,000 per share (the “APS”"APS"). The APS is further divided into Series A, Series B and Series C for DSMBBNYMSMB and Series M, Series T, Series W, Series TH and Series F for DSM.BNYMSM. Currently, no proposal is expected to be presented at the meetingMeeting that would require separate voting for each Series of APS.

    As of April 10, 2019,13, 2022, the Funds had outstanding the following number of shares:

        
     Common Stock APS 
    Name of Fund Outstanding Outstanding 
    DSMB 49,369,459 1,972 
    DSM 62,195,578 3,156 
       


    Name of Fund

    Common Stock
    Outstanding

    APS Outstanding

    BNYMSMB

    62,290,854

    1,972

    BNYMSM

    60,892,219

    3,156

    It is estimated that proxy materials will be mailed to stockholders of record on or about April 30, 2019.May 2, 2022. To reduce expenses, only one copy of this proxy statement will be mailed to certain addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to revoke this arrangement and receive individual copies, you may do so at any time by writing to the address or calling the phone number set forth below. The relevant Fund will begin sending you individual copies promptly after receiving your request. The principal executive office of each Fund is located at 200 Park Avenue,240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10166.10286.

    Copies of each Fund’sFund's most recent Annual Report to Stockholders and, if applicable, Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders, are available upon request, without charge, by writing to the Fund at 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144, or by calling toll-freetoll free 1-800-334-6899.

    Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on Thursday, June 12, 2019:16, 2022: This proxy statement and copies of each Fund’sFund's most recent Annual Report to Stockholders and, if applicable, Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders, are
    available at https://im.bnymellon.com/proxymaterials.us/en/intermediary/products/
    closed-end-funds.jsp.

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    PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

    Each Board is divided into three classes with the term of office of one class expiring each year. It is proposed that stockholders of each Fund consider the election of the individuals listed below (the “Nominees”"Nominees") as Directors of the indicated class of such Fund, to serve for the terms indicated below and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

    With respect to DSMB, Messrs. Gordon J. Davis and Ehud Houminer andBNYMSMB, Ms. Robin A. Melvin and Mr. Alan H. Howard are nominated to be elected as Class II Directors to serve for three-year terms, and Mr. Alan H. Howard is nominated to be elected as a Class I Director to serve for a two-year term.terms.

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    With respect to DSM, Messrs.BNYMSM, Mr. Joseph S. DiMartino and Alan H. Howard and Ms. Joni Evans are nominated to be elected as Class I Directors to serve for three-year terms.terms, and Mr. Howard is nominated to be elected as a Class II Director to serve for a one-year term.

    The Board of each Fund has determined to realign the classes such that the number of Directors in each class continues to be as nearly equal as possible. As a result, Mr. Howard, a current Class I Director of BNYMSMB and BNYMSM, is standing for election at the Meeting as a Class II Director of BNYMSMB, to serve for a three-year term and until his successor is duly elected and qualified, and as a Class II Director of BNYMSM, to serve for a one-year term and until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

    Each Nominee currently serves as a Director of each Fund and is a board member of certain other funds in the DreyfusBNY Mellon Family of Funds, and, except for Mr. Howard,Funds. Each Nominee has previously been elected by each Fund’sFund's stockholders. Mr. Howard was appointed to each Board by the Fund’s Directors at a meeting held on May 1, 2018. Each Nominee was nominated by the respective Fund’sFund's nominating committee, and has consented to being named in this proxy statement and has agreed to continue to serve as a Director of the indicated Fund if elected.

    Biographical information about each Nominee is set forth below. Biographical information about each Fund’sFund's Directors who are not standing for election at the meetingMeeting but who will continue to be Directors of the Fund after the Meeting (each, a “Continuing Director”"Continuing Director"), information on each Nominee’sNominee's and the Continuing Directors’Director's ownership of Fund shares and other relevant information is set forth onin Exhibit A.A to this proxy statement. Unless otherwise indicated, information set forth herein applies to both Funds. Except for Mr. Davis, noneNone of the Nominees or Continuing Directors are “interested persons,” asdeemed to be "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”"1940 Act"),) of either Fund. Mr. Davis is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Funds as a result of his affiliation with Venable LLP, which provides legal services to the Funds.

    Under the 1940 Act and the terms of each Fund’s Charter,Fund's charter, holders of the APS voting as a single class are entitled, to the exclusion of holders of the Common Stock, to elect two Directors. Ms. Melvin, one of BNYMSMB's two APS designees, is a Nominee for election by holders of DSMB’sBNYMSMB's APS as a Class II Director. BNYMSM's APS designees are not up for election at the Meeting.

    Voting with regard to the election of Directors will be as follows: for DSMB,BNYMSMB, holders of Common Stock and APS will vote together as a single class with respect

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    to the election of Mr. Howard as a Class II Director; for BNYMSM, holders of Common Stock and APS will vote together as a single class with respect to the election of Class II Directors Messrs. DavisMr. DiMartino and Houminer and Class I Director Mr. Howard; for DSM, holders of Common Stock and APS will vote togetherMs. Evans as a single class with respect to the election of Class I Directors, Messrs. DiMartino and Mr. Howard and Ms. Evans;as a Class II Director; and for DSMB,BNYMSMB, APS holders of the Fund will vote separately, to the exclusion of holders of the Common Stock, with respect to the election of Ms. Melvin as a Class II Director.Melvin.

    The persons named as proxies on the accompanying proxy card(s)cards intend to vote each proxy for the election of the Nominees, unless stockholders specifically indicate on their proxies the desire to withhold authority to vote for elections to office. It is not contemplated that any Nominee will be unable to serve as a Director for any reason, but, if that should occur prior to the meeting,Meeting, the proxyholders reserve the right to substitute another person or persons of their choice as nominee or nominees.

    Board’sBoard's Oversight Role in ManagementManagement.. Each Board’sBoard's role in management of the respective Fund is oversight. As is the case with virtually all investment

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    companies (as distinguished from operating companies), service providers to each Fund, primarily BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc., each Fund's investment adviser (the "Investment Adviser"), Insight North America LLC, each Fund's sub-adviser and an affiliate of the Investment Adviser (the "Sub-adviser"), and itstheir affiliates have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund, which includes responsibility for risk management (including management of investment risk, valuation risk, issuer and counterparty credit risk, compliance risk and operational risk). As part of its oversight, each Board, acting at its scheduled meetings, or the Chairman, acting between Board meetings, regularly interacts with and receives reports from senior personnel of service providers, including senior personnel of the Investment Adviser, the Fund’sSub-adviser and their affiliates, each Fund's and the Investment Adviser’sAdviser's Chief Compliance Officer and portfolio management personnel. Each Board’s audit committeeBoard's Audit Committee (which consists of all the Directors who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund (“Independent Directors”))Directors) meets during its regularly scheduled and special meetings, and between meetings the audit committeeAudit Committee chair is available to the Fund’seach Fund's independent registered public accounting firm and the Fund’seach Fund's Chief Financial Officer. Each Board also receives periodic presentations from senior personnel of the Investment Adviser, the Sub-adviser or itstheir affiliates regarding risk management generally, as well as periodic presentations regarding specific operational, compliance or investment areas, such as cybersecurity, business continuity, personal trading, valuation, credit and investment research. As warranted, each Board also receives informational reports from counsel to eachthe Fund and each Board’sBoard's independent legal counsel regarding regulatory compliance and governance matters. Each Board has adopted policies and procedures designed to address certain risks to the Fund. In addition, the Investment Adviser, the Sub-adviser and other service providers to each Fund have adopted a variety of policies, procedures and controls designed to address particular risks to the Fund. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. However, it is not possible to

    4

    eliminate all of the risks applicable to each Fund, and the Boards’Boards' risk management oversight is subject to inherent limitations.

    Board Composition and Leadership StructureStructure.. The 1940 Act requires that at least 40% of each Fund’sFund's Directors not be "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund ("Independent DirectorsDirectors") and as such are not affiliated with the Investment Adviser. To rely on certain exemptive rules under the 1940 Act, a majority of each Fund’sFund's Directors must be Independent Directors, and for certain important matters, such as the approval of each Fund’sFund's investment advisory agreement or transactions with affiliates, the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder require the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors. Currently, except for Mr. Davis, all of each Fund’sFund's Directors, including the Chairman of the Board, are Independent Directors. Each Board has determined that its leadership structure, in which the Chairman of the Board is not affiliated with the Investment Adviser, is appropriate in light of the specific characteristics and circumstances of each Fund, including, but not limited to: (i) the services that the Investment Adviser, the Sub-adviser and itstheir affiliates provide to the Fund and potential conflicts

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    of interest that could arise from these relationships; (ii) the extent to which the day-to-day operations of each Fund are conducted by Fund officers and employees of the Investment Adviser, the Sub-adviser and itstheir affiliates; and (iii) each Board’sthe Board's oversight role in management of each Fund.

    Information About Each Nominee’sNominee's and Continuing Director’sDirector's Experience, Qualifications, Attributes or SkillsSkills.. Nominees for Director of each Fund, together with information as to their positions with the Fund, principal occupations and other board memberships for the past five years, are shown below. The address of each Nominee is 200 Park Avenue,240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10166.10286. Specific information about the Continuing Directors of each Fund, information on each Nominee’sNominee's and Continuing Director’sDirector's ownership of each Fund shares and other relevant information is set forth onin Exhibit A.

    DSMB —5

    BNYMSMB - Nominee for Class II Director with Term Expiring in 2025

    BNYMSM - Continuing Class II Director with Term Expiring in 2023

    Name (Age) Position
    with Fund
    (Since)

    Principal
    Occupation During
    Past 5 Years

    Other Public Company
    Board Memberships
    During Past 5 Years

    ROBIN A. MELVIN (58)
    APS Designee for BNYMSMB and BNYMSM
    Class II Director of BNYMSMB(1995)
    Class II Director of BNYMSM (1995)

    Westover School, a private girls' boarding school in Middlebury, Connecticut, Trustee (2019 – Present)

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

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

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

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    BNYMSMB - Nominee for Class II Director with Term Expiring in 2025

    BNYMSM - Nominee for Class II Director with Term Expiring in 2023

    Name (Age) Position
    with Fund
    (Since)

    Principal
    Occupation During
    Past 5 Years

    Other Public Company
    Board Memberships
    During Past 5 Years

    ALAN H. HOWARD (62) Class II Director of BNYMSMB(2018)
    Class II Director of BNYMSM (2018)

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

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

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

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

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

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    BNYMSM - Nominees for Class III Directors with Terms Expiring in 20222025

    BNYMSMB - Continuing Class I Directors with Terms Expiring in 2024

         

    Name (Age) Position
    with Fund
    (Since)

    Principal
    Occupation During
    Past 5 Years

    Other Public Company

    Name (Age) of NomineePrincipal Occupation
    Board Memberships
    Position with Fund (Since)
    During Past 5 Years
    During Past 5 Years

    Independent Director Nominees

    EHUD HOUMINERJOSEPH S. DIMARTINO(78)Board
    Chairman of Overseers at the
    None
    Class II Director ofColumbia Business School,
    DSMB(1994)Columbia University
    Class II Director of(1992 – present)
    DSM(1994)
    ROBIN A. MELVIN(55)
    APS Designee forCo-Chair, Illinois Mentoring None
    Partnership, non-profit
    DSMB and DSMorganization dedicated to
    Board Member(1995)increasing the quantity
    Class II Director ofBoardand quality of mentoring
    DSMB(1995)services in Illinois (2014 –
    Class II Director ofpresent; served as a board
    DSM(1995)member since 2013)
    Interested Director Nominee
    GORDON J. DAVIS(77)*Partner in the law firm ofConsolidated Edison, Inc.,
    Class II Director ofVenable LLP (2012 –a utility company,Director
    DSMB(2006)present)(1997 – 2014) 
    Class II Director ofPartner in the law firm ofThe Phoenix Companies, Inc.,
    DSM(2007)Dewey & LeBoeuf LLPa life insurance company,
    (1994 – 2012) Director(2000 – 2014)

    * Mr. Davis is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds (“Interested

    Director”) as a result of his affiliation with Venable LLP, which provides legal services to the Funds.

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    DSMB — Nominee for Class I Director with Term Expiring in 2021
    DSM — Nominee for Class I Director with Term Expiring in 2022

    Other Public Company
    Name (Age) of NomineePrincipal OccupationBoard Memberships
    Position with Fund (Since)During Past 5 YearsDuring Past 5 Years
    Independent Director Nominee
    ALAN H. HOWARD(59)Managing Partner of Movado Group, a designer 
    Class I Director ofHeathcote Advisor LLC, a and manufacturer of 
    DSMB BNYMSM(2018)(1995)financial advisory services watches,Director(1997 –

    Class I Director of BNYMSMB (1995)

    firm (2008

    Director or Trustee of the funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and certain other entities (as listed herein)

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

    present) Present)

    DSMJONI EVANS (2018)(80)

    President
    APS Designee for BNYMSMB only Class I Director of Dynatech/MPX 
    Holdings LLC (2012 –
    present), a global supplier
    and service provider of
    military aircraft parts,
    including Chief Executive
    Officer of an operating
    subsidiary, Dynatech
    International LLC (2013 – 
    present) 
    Senior Advisor, Rossoff &
    BNYMSMCo., an independent investment banking firm(2007)
    (2014 – present) 

    DSM — Nominees for Class I Directors with Terms Expiring in 2022

    Other Public Company
    Name (Age) of NomineePrincipal OccupationBoard Memberships
    Position with Fund (Since)During Past 5 YearsDuring Past 5 Years
    Independent Director Nominees
    JOSEPH S. DIMARTINOCorporate Director and CBIZ (formerly, Century 
    (75) Trustee (1995 – present) Business Services, Inc.), 
    Chairman of the Board anda provider of outsourcing 

    Class I Director of BNYMSMB (2006)

    functions for and medium 

    DSM(1995)

    size companies,Director
    Class I Director of(1997 – present) 
    DSMB(1995)
    JONI EVANS(76)Chief Executive Officer, None 
    APS Designee forwww.wowOwow.com, an
    DSMB onlyonline community dedicated
    Class I Director ofto women’swomen's conversations
    DSM(2007)and publications, Chief Executive Officer(2007
    – Present)

    Class I Director of

    present) 
    DSMB(2006)Principal, Joni Evans Ltd.
    (publishing), publishing, Principal (2006 – 2019)

    present) 

    N/A

    6



    Each Nominee has been a DreyfusBNY Mellon Family of Funds board member for over twenty20 years, except for Mr. Howard, who was appointed to each Board by the Directors at a meeting held on May 1, 2018. Mr. Howard has over 30 years of experience in investment banking, including experience advising asset managers. Additional information about each Nominee follows (supplementing the information provided in the table above) that describes some of the specific experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that each Nominee possesses which the respective Board believes has prepared them to be effective Directors (this information for the Continuing Directors is set forth onin Exhibit A). Each Board believes that the significance of each Director’sDirector's experience, qualifications, attributes or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience that is important for one Director may not have the same value for another) and that these factors are best evaluated at the Board level, with no single Director, or particular factor, being indicative of Board effectiveness. However, each Board believes that Directors need to have the ability to critically review, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, and to interact effectively with Fund management, service providers and counsel, in order to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties; each Board believes that its members satisfy this standard. Experience relevant to having this ability may be achieved through a Director’s

    8

    Director's educational background; business, or professional training or practice (e.g.(e.g., medicine, accounting or law);, public service or academic positions; experience from service as a board member (including the Board of theeach Fund) or as an executive of investment funds, public companies or significant private or not-for-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences. The charter for each Board’sBoard's nominating committee contains certain other factors considered by the committee in identifying and evaluating potential Director nominees. To assist them in evaluating matters under federal and state law, the Directors are counseled by their independent legal counsel, who participates in Board meetings and interacts with the Investment Adviser and also may benefit from information provided by the Investment Adviser’sAdviser's counsel; counsel to the Funds and to the Boards has significant experience advising funds and fund board members. Each Board and its committees have the ability to engage other experts as appropriate. Each Board evaluates its performance on an annual basis.

    DSMB — NomineesBNYMSMB – Nominee for Class II DirectorsDirector

    Independent Director Nominees

    Ehud Houminer— Mr. Houminer serves on Columbia Business School’s Board of Overseers. Prior to his association with Columbia Business School beginning in 1991, Mr. Houminer held various senior financial, strategic and management positions at Philip Morris Companies Inc., including serving as Senior Corporate Vice President for Corporate Planning, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Philip Morris USA, Inc. (now part of Altria Group, Inc.). Mr. Houminer is also a Trustee of Ben Gurion University.

    7



    Robin A. Melvin— Since– From 2014 to 2020, Ms. Melvin has served as Co-Chair of Mentor Illinois, Mentoring Partnership, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of mentoring services in Illinois, and has served as a boardBoard member since 2013.from 2013 to 2020. Ms. Melvin served as Director of the Boisi Family Foundation, a private family foundation that supports organizations serving the needs of youth from disadvantaged circumstances, from 1995 to 2012. In that role she also managed the Boisi Family Office, providing the primary interface with all investment managers, legal advisors and other service providers to the family. She has also served in various roles with MENTOR, a national non-profit youth mentoring advocacy organization, including Executive Director of the New York City affiliate, Vice President of the national affiliate network, Vice President of Development, and, immediately prior to her departure, Senior Vice President in charge of strategy. Prior to that, Ms. Melvin was an investment banker with Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. She serves as a Trustee of Westover School, a private girls boarding school in Middlebury, Connecticut (2019 to present) and a Board member of JDRF, a non-profit juvenile diabetes research foundation (June 2021 to present), and a Trustee of HPS Corporate Lending Fund, a closed-end management investment company regulated as a business development company (August 2021 to present).

    BNYMSMB and BNYMSM – Nominee for Class II Director

    Alan H. Howard – Mr. Howard is the Managing Partner of Heathcote Advisors LLC, which he formed in 2008 and which provides financial advisory services as well as makes principal investments. Mr. Howard is a member of the Board of Directors of Movado Group, Inc., a leading global designer, marketer and distributor of watches, and serves as lead independent director, chairman of the compensation committee and a member of the board's audit committee. Mr. Howard served as a Senior Advisor at Rossoff & Company LLC, an independent investment banking firm that provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and restructurings and assists on raising debt and equity capital in

    9

    the private and public markets from 2013 until June 2021. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., a public company that provides contract drilling services, and served as lead independent director, chairman of the audit committee and a member of the board's finance and executive committees from 2020 until April 2021. Mr. Howard also served as the President of Dynatech/MPX Holdings LLC ("D/M Holdings"), a privately held global supplier and service provider of military aircraft parts for multiple platforms and engines from 2012 through 2019. Mr. Howard also was a member of the Board of Directors of D/M Holdings from 2012 to 2019, and served as chief executive officer of one of its two operating companies (Dynatech International LLC), while also serving on the boards of the two operating companies (Dynatech International LLC and Military Parts Exchange LLC). From 2008 through 2010, Mr. Howard was Managing Partner of S3 Strategic Advisors LLC, which provides strategic advice to hedge funds and asset managers. Prior to 2006, Mr. Howard was a Managing Director of Credit Suisse First Boston LLC ("CSFB"), an international provider of financial services. He had been with CSFB and its predecessor companies since 1985. As a Managing Director in the Global Industrial and Services Investment Banking Group, he was an advisor to several of the firm's most important clients on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and capital raising assignments.

    BNYMSM – Nominees for Class I Directors

    Joseph S. DiMartino – Mr. DiMartino has been the Chairman of the Board of the funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds for over 25 years. From 1971 through 1994, Mr. DiMartino served in various roles as an employee of The Dreyfus Corporation (prior to its acquisition by a predecessor of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation in August 1994 and related management changes), including portfolio manager, President, Chief Operating Officer and a director. He ceased being an employee or director of The Dreyfus Corporation by the end of 1994. From July 1995 to November 1997, Mr. DiMartino served as Chairman of the Board of The Noel Group, a public buyout firm; in that capacity, he helped manage, acquire, take public and liquidate a number of operating companies. From 1986 to 2010, Mr. DiMartino served as a Director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

    InterestedJoni Evans – Ms. Evans has more than 35 years of experience in the publishing industry, serving as Publisher of Random House, Inc., President and Publisher of Simon & Schuster, Inc. and, most recently, Senior Vice President of the William Morris Agency, Inc.'s literary department until 2006. Ms. Evans is a member of the Young Presidents' Organization and the Women's Forum, and is a founding member of The Committee of 200 and Women's Media Group.

    Fund Board Committees. Each Fund has standing Audit, Nominating, Compensation and Litigation Committees, each comprised of its Independent Directors, except that Mr. DiMartino does not serve on the Compensation Committee.

    10

    The function of each Audit Committee is (1) to oversee the Fund's accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Fund's financial statements and (2) to assist in the Board's oversight of the integrity of the Fund's financial statements, the Fund's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the qualifications, independence and performance of the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm. A copy of each Fund's Audit Committee Charter, which describes the Audit Committee's purposes, duties and responsibilities, is available at www.im.bnymellon.com in the "BNY Mellon Audit Committee Charter" section under "Investments – Closed End Funds".

    Each Fund's Nominating Committee is responsible for selecting and nominating persons as members of the Board for election or appointment by the Board and for election by stockholders. In evaluating potential nominees, including any nominees recommended by stockholders, the Committee takes into consideration the factors listed in each Fund's Nominating Committee Charter and Procedures (the "Nominating Committee Charter"), including character, and integrity, and business and professional experience. The Nominating Committee may consider whether a potential nominee's professional experience, education, skills and other individual qualities and attributes, including gender, race or national origin, would provide beneficial diversity of skills, experience or perspective to the Board's membership and collective attributes. Such considerations will vary based on the Board's existing membership and other factors, such as the strength of a potential nominee's overall qualifications relative to diversity considerations. The Committee will consider recommendations for nominees from stockholders submitted to the Secretary of the Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Legal Department, 240 Greenwich Street, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10286, and including information regarding the recommended nominee as specified in the Nominating Committee Charter. The Nominating Committee Charter is not available on the Funds' or the Investment Adviser's website, but was attached as Exhibit B to the Funds' proxy statement for the 2020 annual stockholder meeting (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 1, 2020).

    The function of the Compensation Committee is to establish the appropriate compensation for serving on the Board.

    The Litigation Committee seeks to address any potential conflicts of interest between the Funds and the Investment Adviser in connection with any potential or existing litigation or other legal proceeding related to securities held by a Fund and held or otherwise deemed to have a beneficial interest held by the Investment Adviser or its affiliate.

    Each Fund also has a standing Pricing Committee comprised of any one Independent Director. The function of the Pricing Committee is to assist in valuing the Fund's investments.

    11

    Compensation. Each Nominee also serves as a board member of certain other funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds. Annual retainer fees and meeting attendance fees are allocated among each Fund and those other funds on the basis of net assets, with the Chairman of each Board, Mr. DiMartino, receiving an additional 25% of such compensation. Each Fund reimburses Directors for travel and out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attending Board or committee meetings. Neither Fund has a bonus, pension, profit-sharing or retirement plan.

    The amount of compensation paid to each Nominee by BNYMSMB for its fiscal year ended November 30, 2021, and by BNYMSM for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, and the aggregate amount of compensation paid to each Nominee by all funds in the fund complex (which comprises registered investment companies for which the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser serves as investment adviser) for which the Nominee was a board member during 2021, was as follows:*

    Name of Nominee
    and Fund

    Compensation
    from each Fund

    Aggregate compensation from each Fund and Fund Complex
    Paid to Nominee (**)

    Joseph S. DiMartino

    $1,185,000 (109)

    BNYMSMB
    BNYMSM

    $9,176

    $10,834

    Joni Evans

    $153,000 (18)

    BNYMSMB
    BNYMSM

    $7,395

    $9,071

    Alan H. Howard

    $189,467 (18)

    BNYMSMB
    BNYMSM

    $7,781

    $9,182

    Robin A. Melvin

    $764,967 (87)

    BNYMSMB
    BNYMSM

    $7,781

    $9,125

    * Amounts shown do not include expenses reimbursed to Nominees for attending Board meetings. They also do not include the costs of office space and related parking, office supplies and secretarial services, which also are paid by the Funds (allocated among the funds in The BNY Mellon Family of Funds based on net assets); for their respective fiscal years ended in 2021, the amount paid by BNYMSMB and BNYMSM was $349 and $469, respectively.

    ** Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment companies in the fund complex, including the Funds, for which the Nominees served as board members in 2021.

    12

    For each Fund's most recent fiscal year, the number of Board and committee meetings held and the amount of compensation paid by each Fund to the Continuing Directors and the aggregate amount of compensation paid by all funds in the fund complex (which comprises registered investment companies for which the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser serves as investment adviser) for which each such person was a board member in 2021 are set forth in Exhibit A. Certain other information concerning each Fund's Directors and officers also is set forth in Exhibit A.

    Required Vote

    Provided a quorum is present, the election of a Nominee for each Fund requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of votes cast at the Fund's Meeting for the election of Directors.

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    The 1940 Act requires that each Fund's independent registered public accounting firm (the "independent auditors" or "auditors") be selected by a majority of the Independent Directors. Each Audit Committee has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the Fund's independent auditors. At a meeting held on November 22, 2021 for BNYMSM and January 24, 2024 for BNYMSMB, each Fund's Audit Committee approved and each Fund's Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, ratified and approved the selection of Ernst & Young LLP ("EY") as the independent auditors for the respective Fund's fiscal year ending in 2021. EY, a major international accounting firm, has acted as independent auditors of each Fund since the Fund's organization. The Audit Committee's reports for BNYMSM and BNYMSMB relating to the financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 and November 30, 2021, respectively, are attached as Exhibits B and C, respectively, to this proxy statement.

    Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Services

    The following chart reflects fees billed by EY in each Fund's last two fiscal years. For Service Affiliates (i.e., the Investment Adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Investment Adviser that provides ongoing services to the relevant Fund), such fees represent only those fees that required pre-approval of the Audit Committee, except the Aggregate Non-Audit Fees amounts, which include all non-audit fees billed by EY to each Fund and Service Affiliates. All services provided by EY were pre-approved as required.

    13

    BNYMSM1

    Service Affiliates1

    BNYMSMB2

    Service Affiliates2

    Audit Fees

    $36,686/$36,686

    $0/$0

    $36,686/$36,686

    $0/$0

    Audit-Related Fees3

    $30,605/$33,558

    $0/$0

    $33,331/$33,760

    $0/$0

    Tax Fees4

    $2,610/$3,342

    $0/$0

    $3,104/$3,342

    $0/$8,158

    All Other Fees

    $0/$0

    $0/$0

    $0/$0

    $0/$0

    Aggregate Non-Audit Fees5

    $726,833/$2,846,056

    $0/$0

    $1,174,149/$2,747,329

    $0/$8,158

    1.Fiscal years ended September 30, 2020/September 30, 2021

    2.Fiscal years ended November 30, 2020/November 30, 2021

    3.Services of each Fund consisted of one or more of the following: (i) agreed upon procedures related to compliance with Internal Revenue Code section 817(h), (ii) security counts required by Rule 17f-2 under the 1940 Act, (iii) advisory services as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of Fund transactions or events, (iv) advisory services as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of the actual or potential impact to the Fund of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, the Financial Accounting Standards Boards or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies and (v) agreed upon procedures in evaluating compliance by the Fund with the provisions of the Fund's articles supplementary, creating the series of APS.

    4.Services to the Fund consisted of: (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments; and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held.

    5.Aggregate non-audit fees billed by EY to each Fund and Service Affiliates are shown under the Service Affiliates column.

    Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. Each Fund's Audit Committee has established policies and procedures (the "Policy") for pre-approval (within specified fee limits) of EY's engagement for audit and non-audit services to the Fund and non-audit services to Service Affiliates without specific case-by-case consideration. The pre-approved services in the Policy can include pre-approved audit services, pre-approved audit-related services, pre-approved tax services and pre-approved all other services. Pre-approval considerations include whether the proposed services are compatible with maintaining EY's independence. Pre-approvals pursuant to the Policy are considered annually. In addition, proposed services requiring pre-approval but not covered by the Policy are considered from time to time as necessary.

    Auditor Independence. Each Fund's Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates that did not require pre-approval is compatible with maintaining EY's independence.

    14

    A representative of EY will be available to join the Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

    Service Providers

    BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc., located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as each Fund's investment adviser.

    Insight North America LLC, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, located at 200 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10166, serves as each Fund's sub-adviser.

    The Bank of New York Mellon, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286, acts as Custodian for the assets of each Fund.

    Computershare Inc., located at 480 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, acts as each Fund's Transfer Agent, Dividend-Paying Agent and Registrar.

    Voting Information

    To vote, you may use any of the following methods:

    ·By Mail. Please complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy card for each Fund you own and mail it in the enclosed, postage-paid envelope.

    ·By Internet. Have your proxy card(s) available. Go to the website listed on the proxy card(s). Enter your control number from your proxy card(s). Follow the instructions on the website.

    ·By Telephone. Have your proxy card(s) available. Call the toll-free number listed on the proxy card(s). Enter your control number from your proxy card(s). Follow the recorded instructions.

    ·At the Meeting. Any stockholder who attends the Meeting virtually may provide voting instructions by Internet (see above) during the Meeting.

    Shares represented by executed and unrevoked proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications made thereon, and, if no voting instructions are given, shares will be voted "for" a proposal.

    If a proxy is properly executed and returned accompanied by instructions to withhold authority to vote or represents a broker "non-vote" (that is, a proxy from a broker or nominee indicating that such person has not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other person entitled to vote shares of a Fund on a particular matter with respect to which the broker or nominee does not have discretionary power), a Fund's shares represented thereby will be considered to be present at the Meeting for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum for the transaction of business, but will not constitute a vote "for" a proposal and will have no effect on the result of the vote.

    15

    Each Fund will bear its pro rata share of the cost of soliciting proxies based on the net assets of the Fund. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited by telephone. Authorizations to execute proxies may be obtained by electronic transmission or by telephonic instructions in accordance with procedures designed to authenticate the stockholder's identity. In all cases where a telephonic proxy is solicited (as opposed to where the stockholder calls the toll-free telephone number directly to vote), the stockholder will be asked to provide or confirm certain identifiable information and to confirm that the stockholder has received the proxy statement and proxy card(s) in the mail. Within 72 hours of receiving a stockholder's solicited telephonic voting instructions, a confirmation will be sent to the stockholder to ensure that the vote has been taken in accordance with the stockholder's instructions and to provide a telephone number to call immediately if the stockholder's instructions are not correctly reflected in the confirmation.

    OTHER MATTERS

    Neither Fund's Board is aware of any other matter which may come before the Meeting. However, should any such matter with respect to one or both Funds properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote the proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matter.

    Any proposals of stockholders that are intended to be presented at the Funds' 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), must be received by the Secretary of the respective Fund at the Fund's principal executive offices no later than January 2, 2023, and must comply with all other legal requirements in order to be included in the Fund's proxy statement and forms of proxy for that meeting. For other stockholder proposals to be presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (but not included in the Funds' proxy statement), a stockholder's notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the respective Fund at the Fund's principal executive offices no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time on March 17, 2023.

    Stockholders who wish to communicate with Directors should send communications to the attention of the Secretary of the Fund, c/o BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. Legal Department, 240 Greenwich Street, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10286, and communications will be directed to the Director Nomineeor Directors indicated in the communication or, if no Director or Directors are indicated, to the Chairman of the Board.

    16

    NOTICE TO BANKS, BROKER/DEALERS AND
    VOTING TRUSTEES AND THEIR NOMINEES

    Please advise, as appropriate, BNY Mellon Strategic Municipals, Inc. or BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. in care of Computershare Inc., Proxy Department, 480 Washington Blvd., 27th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, whether other persons are the beneficial owners of the shares for which proxies are being solicited and, if so, the number of copies of the proxy statement and other soliciting material you wish to receive in order to supply copies to the beneficial owners of shares. Each Fund may pay persons holding shares of the Fund in their names or those of their nominees for their expenses in sending soliciting materials to their principals.

    IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. THEREFORE, STOCKHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN EACH ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED STAMPED ENVELOPE OR OTHERWISE VOTE PROMPTLY.

    Dated: May 2, 2022

    17

    EXHIBIT A

    PART I

    Part I sets forth information regarding the Continuing Directors, Board and committee meetings and share ownership.

    Information About the Continuing Directors' Experience, Qualifications, Attributes or Skills. The Continuing Directors of each Fund who are not standing for election at the Meeting in any capacity—that is, Mses. Gulley and Wiley and Mr. Wallack— together with information as to their positions with the Funds, principal occupations and other board memberships for the past five years, are shown below. Certain information regarding Ms. Melvin, who is a Continuing Class II Director of BNYMSM, and Mr. DiMartino and Ms. Evans, who are Continuing Class I Directors of BNYMSMB, is provided in Proposal 1 of this proxy statement. The address of the Continuing Directors is 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.


    Continuing Class III Directors with Terms Expiring in 2023
    for BNYMSMB and 2024 for BNYMSM


    Name (Age) of Continuing Director Position with Fund (Since)


    Principal Occupation
    During Past 5 Years

    Other Public Company
    Board Memberships
    During Past 5 Years

    JOAN L. GULLEY (74)Class II Director of BNYMSMB(2017)
    Class II Director of BNYMSM (2017)

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

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

    N/A

    BURTON N. WALLACK (71)
    Class III Director of BNYMSMB(2006)
    Class III Director of BNYMSM (2006)

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

    Mount Sinai Hospital Urology, Board Member (2017 – Present)

    A-1

    BENAREE PRATT WILEY (75)
    APS Designee for
    BNYMSM only Class III Director of BNYMSMB(2016)
    Class III Director of BNYMSM (2016)

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

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

    Blue Cross – Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Director (2004 – 2020)

    Each Continuing Director has been a BNY Mellon Family of Funds board member for at least 20 years, except for Ms. Gulley, who was appointed to each Board by the Directors at a meeting held on October 31, 2017. Ms. Gulley was in the asset management business for more than 30 years prior to her retirement in 2014. Additional information about the Continuing Directors, as well as the Funds' advisory Board member, follows (supplementing the information provided in the table above) that describes some of the specific experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that the Continuing Directors possess which the Board believes has prepared them to be effective Directors.

    Continuing Directors

    Joan L. Gulley – Ms. Gulley served in various senior roles at PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. ("PNC") from 1993 until her retirement in 2014, including Chief Executive Officer of PNC Advisors, the wealth management and institutional services business of PNC, from 2002 to 2005, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of PNC from 2002 to 2007, and Executive Vice President ("EVP") and Chief Human Resources Officer ("CHRO") of PNC from 2008 until 2014. In her role as EVP and CHRO of PNC, Ms. Gulley was responsible for the oversight of $8 billion in combined pension and 401(k) assets. Ms. Gulley also served as a member of PNC's Executive Committee from 2008 to 2014, where she participated in all key strategic and operational decisions affecting PNC, and was responsible for all staff support to the PNC Board's Personnel and Compensation Committee with respect to executive compensation, succession planning, talent management, human resource regulatory matters and diversity. Prior to joining PNC, Ms. Gulley held positions with The Massachusetts Company, a chartered bank and subsidiary of The Travelers Insurance Company, which was acquired by PNC in 1993, and with branches of the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston, Massachusetts and Washington D.C. Ms. Gulley currently serves as Governor of the Orchard Island Club and from 2015 to 2021 served on the Board of Trustees of the Nantucket Atheneum.

    A-2

    Burton N. Wallack – Mr. Wallack is President and co-owner of Wallack Management Company, a real estate management company that provides financial reporting and management services. He also serves as a board member for Mount Sinai Hospital Urology.

    Benaree Pratt Wiley – Ms. Wiley is a corporate director and trustee. For fifteen years, Ms. Wiley was the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Partnership, Inc., an organization that strengthened Greater Boston's capacity to attract, retain and develop talented professionals of color. Ms. Wiley served on the board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts from 2004 until 2020, and currently serves on the board of CBIZ (NYSE: CBZ). She has served as the Chair of PepsiCo's African American Advisory Board, and formerly served on the board of First Albany (NASDAQ: FACT). Her civic activities include serving on the boards of Dress for Success Boston, Partners Continuing Care and Spaulding Hospital, the Black Philanthropy Fund and Howard University where she served as Vice Chair until June 2021.

    Advisory Board Member

    Gordon J. Davis Mr. Davis is a partner in the law firm of Venable LLP where his practice focuses on complex real estate, land use development and related environmental matters; state and municipal authorities and financings; and cultural and not-for-profit organizations. Prior to joining the firm in 2012, Mr. Davis served as a partner in the law firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP from 1994 until 2012. Mr. Davis also served as a Commissioner and member of the New York City Planning Commission, and as Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the City of New York. Mr. Davis was a co-founder of the Central Park Conservancy and the founding Chairman of Jazz at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. He has also served as President of Lincoln Center. Mr. Davis also served on the board of The Dreyfus Corporation (prior to its acquisition by a predecessor of The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”)Corporation in August 1994 and related management changes). He served as a Board member of the Funds until August 2021, and as an emeritus Board member until October 31, 2021. He also served as a Director of Consolidated Edison, Inc., a utility company, and The Phoenix Companies, Inc., a life insurance company.

    DSMBNominees' and DSM — Nominee for Class I Director

    Independent Director Nominee

    Alan H. HowardContinuing Directors' Ownership of Fund Shares.— Mr. Howard is The table below indicates the Managing Partner of Heathcote Advisors LLC, which he formed in 2008 and which provides financial advisory services as well as makes principal investments. Mr. Howard is also a memberdollar range of the BoardNominees' and the Continuing Directors' ownership of Directorsshares of Movado Group, Inc., a leading global designer, marketereach Fund's Common Stock and distributorshares of watches, and serves as lead independent director and is a member of the board’s audit and compensation committees. In addition, Mr. Howard is the President of Dynatech/MPX Holdings LLC (“D/M Holdings”), a privately held global supplier and service provider of military aircraft parts for multiple platforms and engines. Mr. Howard has been a member of the Board of Directors of D/M Holdings since 2012 and serves as chief executive officer of one of its two operating companies (Dynatech International LLC), while also serving on the boards of the two operating companies (Dynatech International LLC and Military Parts Exchange LLC). He is also currently a Senior Advisor at Rossoff &

    8



    Company LLC, an independent investment banking firm that provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and restructurings and assists on raising debt and equity capital in the private and public markets. From September 2008 through June 2010, Mr. Howard was Managing Partner of S3 Strategic Advisors LLC, which provides strategic advice to hedge funds and asset managers. Prior to July 2006, Mr. Howard was a Managing Director of Credit Suisse First Boston LLC (“CSFB”), an international provider of financial services. He had been with CSFB and its predecessor companies since 1985. As a Managing Director in the Global Industrial and Services Investment Banking Group, he was an advisor to several of the firm’s most important clients on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and capital raising assignments.

    DSM — Nominees for Class I Directors

    Independent Director Nominees

    Joseph S. DiMartino— Mr. DiMartino has been the Chairman of the Board of theother funds in the DreyfusBNY Mellon Family of Funds, for over 20 years. From 1971 through 1994, Mr. DiMartino served in various roleseach case as an employee of Dreyfus (prior to its acquisition by a predecessorDecember 31, 2021.

    A-3

    Name of Continuing Director or Nominee


    Fund
    Common Stock

    Aggregate Holdings of
    Funds in the
    BNY Mellon Family of Funds

    Joseph S. DiMartino*

    None

    Over $100,000

    Joni Evans*

    None

    Over $100,000

    Joan L. Gulley

    None

    Over $100,000

    Alan H. Howard*

    None

    Over $100,000

    Robin A. Melvin*

    None

    $50,001 – $100,000

    Burton N. Wallack

    None

    None

    Benaree Pratt Wiley

    None

    $50,001 – $100,000

    _________________
    * Nominee.

    As of BNY Mellon in August 1994 and related management changes), including portfolio manager, President, Chief Operating Officer and a director. He ceased being an employee or director of Dreyfus by the end of 1994. From July 1995 to November 1997, Mr. DiMartino served as ChairmanDecember 31, 2021, none of the BoardNominees or the Continuing Directors or their immediate family members owned securities of The Noel Group, a public buyout firm; in that capacity, he helped manage, acquire, take public and liquidate a number of operating companies. From 1986 to 2010, Mr. DiMartino served as a Director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

    Joni Evans— Ms. Evans has more than 35 years of experience in the publishing industry, serving as Publisher of Random House, Inc., President and Publisher of Simon & Schuster, Inc. and, most recently, Senior Vice President of the William Morris Agency, Inc.’s literary department until 2006. Ms. Evans is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the Women’s Forum, and is a founding member of The Committee of 200 and Women’s Media Group.

    Fund Board Committees. Each Fund has standing audit, nominating, compensation and litigation committees, each comprised of its Independent Directors, except that Joseph S. DiMartino does not serve on the compensation committee.

         The function of the audit committee is (1) to oversee the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Fund’s financial statements and (2) to assist in the Board’s oversight of the integrity of the Fund’s financial statements, the Fund’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the qualifications, independence and performance of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. A copy of each Fund’s Audit Committee Charter, which describes the audit committee’s purposes, duties and responsibilities, is available at www.dreyfus.com in the “Individual Investors” section under “Specialty Products — Closed End Fund Information.”

    9



         Each Fund’s nominating committee is responsible for selecting and nominating persons as members of the Board for election or appointment by the Board and for election by stockholders. In evaluating potential nominees, including any nominees recommended by stockholders, the committee takes into consideration the factors listed in each Fund’s Nominating Committee Charter and Procedures (the “Nominating Committee Charter”), including character and integrity, and business and professional experience. The nominating committee may consider whether a potential nominee’s professional experience, education, skills and other individual qualities and attributes, including gender, race or national origin, would provide beneficial diversity of skills, experience or perspective to the Board’s membership and collective attributes. Such considerations will vary based on the Board’s existing membership and other factors, such as the strength of a potential nominee’s overall qualifications relative to diversity considerations. The committee will consider recommendations for nominees from stockholders submitted to the Secretary of the Fund, c/o The Dreyfus Corporation Legal Department, 240 Greenwich Street, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10286, and including information regarding the recommended nominee as specified in the Nominating Committee Charter. The Nominating Committee Charter is not available on the Funds’ or Dreyfus’ website but was attached as Exhibit B to the Funds’ proxy statement for the 2017 annual stockholder meeting (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 21, 2017).

         The function of the compensation committee is to establish the appropriate compensation for serving on the Board.

         The litigation committee seeks to address any potential conflicts of interest between the Funds and the Investment Adviser in connection with any potential or existing litigation or other legal proceeding relating to securities held by a Fund and held or otherwise deemed to have a beneficial interest held by the Investment Adviser or its affiliate.any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Investment Adviser.

    PERTAINING TO THE BOARD OF EACH FUND

    ·Each Fund also hasheld five Board meetings, six Audit Committee meetings, one Compensation Committee meeting and one Nominating Committee meeting during the Fund's last fiscal year. The Litigation Committee and Pricing Committees did not meet during the last fiscal year.

    ·The Funds do not have a standing pricing committee comprisedformal policy regarding Directors' attendance at annual meetings of any one Director. stockholders. Directors did not attend last year's annual meeting of stockholders.

    ·The functionContinuing Directors and Nominees of each Fund (who were Directors at the time) attended at least 75% of the pricing committeemeetings of the Board and committees of which they were a member held in the last fiscal year.

    Compensation Table. The amount of compensation paid by each Fund to each Continuing Director who is not standing for election at the Meeting in any capacity and advisory Board member by BNYMSMB for its fiscal year ended November 30, 2021, and by BNYMSM for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, and the aggregate amount of compensation paid to assisteach Continuing Director and advisory Board member by all funds in valuing the Fund’s investments.fund complex (which comprises registered

    Compensation. Each Nominee alsoA-4

    investment companies for which the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser serves as investment adviser) for which such person was a board member or advisory board member during 2021, was as follows:*

    Name of Director

    Compensation
    from each Fund

    Aggregate
    Compensation from
    each Fund and
    Fund Complex
    Paid to Continuing
    Director (**)

    Continuing Directors

    Joan L. Gulley

    $346,000 (43)

    BNYMSMB

    $7,741

    BNYMSM

    $9,071

    Burton N. Wallack

    $168,000 (18)

    BNYMSMB

    $7,741

    BNYMSM

    $9,071

    Benaree Pratt Wiley

    $668,261 (70)

    BNYMSMB

    $7,789

    BNYMSM

    $7,193

    Advisory Board Member

    Gordon J. Davis***

    $377,924 (48)

    BNYMSMB

    $5,400

    BNYMSM

    $4,612

    __________________

    * Amounts shown do not include expenses reimbursed to Directors for attending Board Meetings.

    ** Represents the number of certain other fundsseparate portfolios comprising the investment companies in the Dreyfus Familyfund complex, including the Fund, for which such persons served as Board members or advisory Board members in 2021.

    *** Mr. Davis became an advisory Board member of Funds. Annual retainer fees and meeting attendance fees are allocated among each Fund and those other funds on the basis of net assets, with the ChairmanNovember 1, 2021. From August 7, 2021 to October 31, 2021, Mr. Davis was an emeritus Board member of each Fund. Prior to August 7, 2021, Mr. Davis served as a Class I Director of each Fund. Emeritus Board Mr. DiMartino, receiving an additional 25% of such compensation. Each Fund reimburses Directors for travel and out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attending Board or committee meetings. Neither Fund has a bonus, pension, profit-sharing or retirement plan. Each emeritus Director ismembers are entitled to receive an annual retainer of one-half the amount paid as a retainer at the time the Director became emeritus and a per meeting attended fee of one-halfone half the amount paid to Directors.

    10



    Advisory Board members are entitled to receive compensation for attending Board meetings in an advisory role. The amount ofamounts shown reflect compensation paid to each Nomineereceived by DSMB for itsMr. Davis during BNYMSMB's fiscal year ended November 30,  2018,2021 and by DSM for itsBNYMSM's fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, and the aggregate amount of compensation paid to each such Nominee by all funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which the Nominee was a board member during 2018, was as follows*:2021.

    A-5

    Aggregate Compensation
    from each Fund and
    CompensationFund Complex
    Name of Nominee and Fundfrom each FundPaid to Nominee (**)
    Independent Director Nominees
    Joseph S. DiMartino $1,255,000 (128) 
    DSMB $6,674
    DSM $12,974
    Joni Evans  $182,000 (22) 
    DSMB $5,719
    DSM $10,667
    Ehud Houminer $406,500 (54) 
    DSMB  $6,031
    DSM $11,873
    Alan H. Howard*** $116,258 (22) 
    DSMB $2,360
    DSM $4,595
    Robin A. Melvin $808,000 (102) 
    DSMB $5,358
    DSM $10,787
    Interested Director Nominee
    Gordon J. Davis $437,500 (56) 
    DSMB $5,368
    DSM $10,801

    *     

    Amount does not include the cost of office space and related parking, office supplies, secretarial services and health benefits for the Chairman and health benefits for the Chairman’s spouse, which also are paid by the Funds (allocated among the funds in The Dreyfus Family of Funds based on net assets). For their respective fiscal years ended in 2018, the amount paid by DSMB and DSM was $509 and $678, respectively. Amount also does not include expenses reimbursed to Directors for attending Board meetings.

    **Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment companies in the fund complex, including the Funds, for which the Nominee served as a board member in 2018.

    ***Mr. Howard was appointed to each Fund’s Board and the boards of certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds in May 2018.

    11



         For each Fund’s most recent fiscal year, the number of Board and committee meetings held and the amount of compensation paid by each Fund to the Continuing Directors and the aggregate amount of compensation paid by all funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which each such person was a board member in 2018 are set forth on Exhibit A. Certain other information concerning each Fund’s Directors and officers also is set forth on Exhibit A.

    Required Vote

         The election of a Nominee for each Fund requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of votes cast at the Fund’s meeting for the election of Directors.

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

         The 1940 Act requires that each Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm (the “independent auditors” or “auditors”) be selected by a majority of the Independent Directors. The audit committee has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the Fund’s independent auditors. At a meeting held on November 5, 2018 for DSMB and July 30, 2018 for DSM, each Fund’s audit committee approved and each Fund’s Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, ratified and approved the selection of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as the independent auditors for the respective Fund’s fiscal year ending in 2018. EY, a major international accounting firm, has acted as independent auditors of each Fund since the Fund’s organization. The audit committee’s reports for DSM and DSMB are attached as Exhibits B and C, respectively, to this proxy statement.

    Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Services

    The following chart reflects fees billed by EY in each Fund’s last two fiscal years. For Service Affiliates (i.e., Dreyfus and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with Dreyfus that provides ongoing services to the relevant Fund), such fees represent only those fees that required pre-approval by the audit committee, except the Aggregate Non-Audit Fees amounts, which include all non-audit fees billed by EY to the Fund and Service Affiliates. All services provided by EY were pre-approved as required.

    12



    DSM1Service Affiliates1DSMB2Service Affiliates2
    Audit Fees$36,450/$36,997  $0/$0  $36,450/$36,997  $0/$0 
    Audited-Related
    Fees3$31,963/$32,418  $0/$0  $31,804/$32,671  $0/$0 
    Tax Fees4$3,798/$3,553  $0/$0  $3,503/$3,860  $0/$0 
    All Other Fees$0/$0  $0/$0  $0/$0  $0/$0 
    Aggregate
    Non-Audit FeesN/A $29,460,566/$26,473,572N/A$31,197,139/$38,822,724

    1Fiscal years ended September 30, 2017/September 30, 2018.2Fiscal years ended November 30, 2017/November 30, 2018.

    3Services to the Fund consisted of one or more of the following: (i) agreed upon procedures related to compliance with Internal Revenue Code section 817(h), (ii) security counts required by Rule 17f-2 under the 1940 Act, as amended, (iii) advisory services as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of Fund transactions or events, (iv) advisory services to the accounting or disclosure treatment of the actual or potential impact to the Fund of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Accounting Standards Boards or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies and (v) agreed upon procedures in evaluating compliance by the Fund with the provisions of the Fund’s articles supplementary, creating the series of APS.

    4Services to the Fund consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments; and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/ or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held.

    5Aggregate non-audit fees billed by EY to the Fund and Service Affiliates are shown under the Service Affiliates column.

    Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures.Each Fund’s audit committee has established policies and procedures (the “Policy”) for pre-approval (within specified fee limits) of EY’s engagement for audit and non-audit services to the Fund and non-audit services to Service Affiliates without specific case-by-case consideration. The pre-approved services in the Policy can include pre-approved audit services, pre-approved audit-related services, pre-approved tax services and pre-approved all other services. Pre-approval considerations include whether the proposed services are compatible with maintaining EY’s independence. Pre-approvals pursuant to the Policy are considered annually. In addition, proposed services requiring pre-approval but not covered by the Policy are considered from time to time as necessary.

    Auditor Independence.Each Fund’s audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates that did not require pre-approval is compatible with maintaining EY’s independence.

         A representative of EY is expected to be present at the meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

    13



    Service Providers

         Dreyfus, located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, serves as each Fund’s investment adviser.

         The Bank of New York Mellon, an affiliate of Dreyfus, located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286, acts as Custodian for the assets of each Fund.

         Computershare, Inc., located at 480 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, acts as each Fund’s Transfer Agent, Dividend-Paying Agent and Registrar.

    Voting Information

    To vote, you may use any of the following methods:

         Shares represented by executed and unrevoked proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications made thereon, and, if no voting instructions are given, shares will be voted “for” a proposal. If a proxy is properly executed and returned accompanied by instructions to withhold authority to vote or represents a broker “non-vote” (that is, a proxy from a broker or nominee indicating that such person has not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other person entitled to vote shares of a Fund on a particular matter with respect to which the broker or nominee does not have discretionary power), the Fund’s shares represented thereby will be considered to be present at the meeting for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum for the transaction of business, but will not constitute a vote “for” a proposal and will have no effect on the result of the vote.

         Each Fund will bear its pro rata share of the cost of soliciting proxies based on the net assets of the Fund. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone. Authorizations to execute proxies may be obtained by electronic transmission or by telephonic instructions in accordance with procedures designed to authenticate the stockholder’s identity. In all cases where a telephonic proxy is solicited (as opposed to where the stockholder calls

    14



    the toll-free telephone number directly to vote), the stockholder will be asked to provide or confirm certain identifiable information and to confirm that the stockholder has received the Fund’s proxy statement and proxy card in the mail. Within 72 hours of receiving a stockholder’s solicited telephonic voting instructions, a confirmation will be sent to the stockholder to ensure that the vote has been taken in accordance with the stockholder’s instructions and to provide a telephone number to call immediately if the stockholder’s instructions are not correctly reflected in the confirmation.

    OTHER MATTERS

         Neither Fund’s Board is aware of any other matter which may come before the meeting. However, should any such matter with respect to one or both Funds properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying forms of proxy to vote the proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matter.

         Any proposals of stockholders that are intended to be presented at either Fund’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), must be received by the Secretary of the respective Fund at the Fund’s principal executive offices no later than January 1, 2020 and must comply with all other legal requirements in order to be included in either Fund’s proxy statement and forms of proxy for that meeting. For other stockholder proposals to be presented at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (but not included in the Funds’ proxy statement), a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the respective Fund at the Fund’s principal executive offices no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on March 11, 2020.

         Stockholders who wish to communicate with Directors should send communications to the attention of the Secretary of the Fund, c/o The Dreyfus Corporation Legal Department, 240 Greenwich Street, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10286, and communications will be directed to the Director or Directors indicated in the communication or, if no Director or Directors are indicated, to the Chairman of the Board.

    NOTICE TO BANKS, BROKER/DEALERS AND
    VOTING TRUSTEES AND THEIR NOMINEES

         Please advise, as appropriate, Dreyfus Strategic Municipals, Inc. or Dreyfus Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. in care of Computershare, Inc., Proxy Department, 480 Washington Blvd., 27th floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, whether other persons are the beneficial owners of the shares for which proxies are

    15



    being solicited and, if so, the number of copies of the proxy statement and other soliciting material you wish to receive in order to supply copies to the beneficial owners of shares. Each Fund may pay persons holding shares of the Fund in their names or those of their nominees for their expenses in sending soliciting materials to their principals.

    IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. THEREFORE, STOCKHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURNEACHENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED STAMPED ENVELOPE OR OTHERWISE VOTE PROMPTLY.

    Dated: April 30, 2019

    16



    EXHIBIT A

    PART I

         Part I sets forth information regarding the Continuing Directors, Board and committee meetings and share ownership.

    Information About the Continuing Directors’ Experience, Qualifications, Attributes or Skills. The Continuing Directors of each Fund, together with information as to their positions with the Fund, principal occupations and other board memberships for the past five years, are shown below. Mr. DiMartino and Ms. Evans are Continuing Class I Directors for DSMB and Messrs. Davis and Houminer and Ms. Melvin are Continuing Class II Directors for DSM, certain information for which is provided in Proposal 1 of this proxy statement. The address of the Continuing Directors is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.

    Continuing Class III Directors with Terms Expiring in
    2020 for DSMB and 2021 for DSM

    Name (Age) of
    Continuing DirectorPrincipal OccupationOther Board Memberships
    Position with Funds (Since)During Past 5 YearsDuring Past 5 Years
    Independent Directors
    JOAN GULLEY(71)PNC Financial Services None 
    Class III Director ofGroup, Inc. (1993 – 2014), 
    DSMB(2017)including Executive Vice 
    Class III Director ofPresident and Chief 
    DSM(2017)Human Resources Officer 
    and Executive Committee
    member (2008 – 2014)
    BURTON N. WALLACK(68)President and Co-owner of None 
    Class III Director ofWallack Management 
    DSMB(2006)Company, a real estate 
    Class III Director ofmanagement company 
    DSM(2006)(1987 – present) 
    BENAREE PRATT WILEY(72)Principal, The Wiley Group, CBIZ (formerly, Century 
    APS Designee fora firm specializing in strat- Business Services, Inc.), 
    DSM onlyegy and business develop- a provider of outsourcing 
    Class III Director ofment (2005 – present) functions for and medium 
    DSMB(2016)size companies,Director
    Class III Director of(2008 – present) 
    DSM(2016)

    A-1



         Each Continuing Director has been a Dreyfus Family of Funds board member for at least 20 years. Additional information about the Continuing Directors follows (supplementing the information provided in the table above) that describes some of the specific experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that the Continuing Directors possess which the Board believes has prepared them to be effective Directors.

    Joan L. Gulley— Ms. Gulley served in various senior roles at PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) from 1993 until her retirement in 2014, including Chief Executive Officer of PNC Advisors, the wealth management and institutional services business of PNC, from 2002 to 2005, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of PNC from 2002 to 2007, and Executive Vice President (“EVP”) and Chief Human Resources Officer (“CHRO”) of PNC from 2008 until 2014. In her role as EVP and CHRO of PNC, Ms. Gulley was responsible for the oversight of $8 billion in combined pension and 401(k) assets. Ms. Gulley also served as a member of PNC’s Executive Committee from 2008 to 2014, where she participated in all key strategic and operational decisions affecting PNC, and was responsible for all staff support to the PNC Board’s Personnel and Compensation Committee with respect to executive compensation, succession planning, talent management, human resource regulatory matters and diversity. Prior to joining PNC, Ms. Gulley held positions with The Massachusetts Company, a chartered bank and subsidiary of The Travelers Insurance Company, which was acquired by PNC in 1993, and with branches of the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston, Massachusetts and Washington D.C. Ms. Gulley currently serves as a board member and member of the audit committee of Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of the American Water Company, which is a public water company operating in the U.S. and Canada.

    Burton N. Wallack— Mr. Wallack is President and co-owner of Wallack Management Company, a real estate management company that provides financial reporting and management services. He also serves as a board member for Mount Sinai Hospital Urology.

    Benaree Pratt Wiley— Ms. Wiley is a Principal of The Wiley Group, a firm specializing in personnel strategy, talent management and leadership development primarily for global insurance and consulting firms. Prior to that, Ms. Wiley served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Partnership, Inc., a talent management organization for multicultural professionals in the greater Boston region. Ms. Wiley currently serves on the board of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. She has also served on the boards of several public companies and charitable organizations, including serving as chair of the advisory board of PepsiCo African-American.

    A-2



    Nominees’ and the Continuing Directors’ Ownership of Fund Shares. The table below indicates the dollar range of the Nominees’ and the Continuing Directors’ ownership of shares of each Fund’s Common Stock and shares of other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, in each case as of December 31, 2018.

    DSMDSMBAggregate Holding of
    Name of ContinuingCommonCommonFunds in the Dreyfus
    Director or NomineeStockStockFamily of Funds
    Independent Directors and
    Director Nominees
    Joseph S. DiMartino* None None Over $100,000 
    Joni Evans* None None Over $100,000 
    Joan L. Gulley None None None 
    Ehud Houminer* None None Over $100,000 
    Alan H. Howard*None None Over $100,000 
    Robin A. Melvin* None None Over $100,000 
    Burton N. Wallack None None None 
    Benaree Pratt Wiley None None $50,001 – $100,000 
    Interested Director and
    Director Nominee
    Gordon J. Davis* None None  Over $100,000 

    Nominee.

    Mr. Howard was appointed to each Fund’s Board in May 2018 and did not own any shares of either Fund.

         As of December 31, 2018, none of the Nominees or the Continuing Directors or their immediate family members owned securities of Dreyfus or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with Dreyfus.

    PERTAINING TO THE BOARD OF EACH FUND

    A-3



    Compensation Table. The amount of compensation paid to each Continuing Director by DSMB for its fiscal year ended November 30, 2018, and by DSM for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, and the aggregate amount of compensation paid to such Continuing Director by all funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which the Continuing Director was a board member during 2018, was as follows:

    Aggregate Compensation
    from each Fund and
    Name of Continuing Compensation Fund Complex Paid to
    Director and Fundfrom each FundContinuing Director (*)
    Joan L. Gulley $370,000 (54) 
    DSMB $4,842 
    DSM $7,086 
    Burton N. Wallack $182,000 (22) 
    DSMB $5,719 
    DSM $1,266 
    Benaree Pratt Wiley $636,500 (82) 
    DSMB $5,363 
    DSM $10,794 

    *     

    Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment companies in the fund complex, including the Funds, for which the Continuing Directors served as board members in 2018.

    A-4



    PART II

    Part II sets forth information regarding the officers of the Funds. Each officer
    of the Funds holds office for an indefinite term until his or herthe officer's successor is elected
    and has qualified.

       

    Name and Position
    with Fund (Since)


    Age

    Principal Occupation and
    Business

    Funds (Since)AgeExperience For
    Past Five Years

    BRADLEY J. SKAPYAKDAVID DIPETRILLO
    President (2019)1

    44

    Vice President and Director of the Investment Adviser since February 2021; Head of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since January 2018; and Director of Product Strategy, BNY Mellon Investment Management from January 2016 to December 2017. He is an officer of 56 investment companies (comprised of 109 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser.

    JAMES WINDELS
    Treasurer (2012)

    64

    Vice President of the Investment Adviser since September 2020; and Director – BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 130 portfolio) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.

    A-6

       

    Name and Position
    with Fund (Since)


    Age

    Principal Occupation and
    Business Experience For
    Past Five Years

    PETER M. SULLIVAN
    Chief Legal Officer, Vice President (2010)  and
    Assistant Secretary (2019)2

    60

    54

    Chief Legal Officer of the Investment Adviser and Associate General Counsel of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation since July 2021; Senior Managing Counsel of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation from December 2020 to July 2021; and Managing Counsel of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation from March 2009 to December 2020. He is an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 130 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.

    JAMES BITETTO
    Vice President and Secretary (2012)3

    Chief Operating Officer

    56

    Senior Managing Counsel of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation since December 2019; Managing Counsel of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation from April 2014 to December 2019; and

    Secretary of the Investment Adviser. He is an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 130 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.

    A-7

       
    director

    Name and Position
    with Fund (Since)


    Age

    Principal Occupation and
    Business Experience For
    Past Five Years

    DEIRDRE CUNNANE
    Vice President and Assistant Secretary (2019)

    31

    Managing Counsel of Dreyfus; ChairmanThe Bank of New York Mellon Corporation since December 2021; Counsel of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation from August 2018 to December 2021; and Senior Regulatory Specialist at BNY Mellon Investment Management Services from February 2016 to August 2018. She is an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 130 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.

    SARAH S. KELLEHER
    Vice President and Assistant Secretary (2014)

    47

    Vice President of BNY Mellon ETF Investment Adviser, LLC since February 2020; Senior Managing Counsel of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation since September 2021; Managing Counsel from December 2017 to September 2021; and Senior Counsel of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation from March 2013 to December 2017. She is an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 130 portfolio) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.

    A-8

       
    the Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.

    Name and ChiefPosition
    with Fund (Since)


    Age

    Principal Occupation and
    Business Experience For
    Past Five Years

    JEFF S. PRUSNOFSKY
    Vice President and Assistant Secretary (2012)

    57

    Executive Officer

    Senior Managing Counsel of MBSC Securities

    The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. He is an officer of 62
    57 investment companies (comprised of
    122 130 portfolios) managed by Dreyfus.the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.

    JAMES WINDELSAMANDA QUINN
    Vice President and Assistant Secretary (2020)

    37

    Counsel of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation since June 2019; Regulatory Administration Manager at BNY Mellon Investment Management Services from September 2018 to May 2019; and Senior Regulatory Specialist at BNY Mellon Investment Management Services from April 2015 to August 2018. She is an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 130 portfolios) managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.

    A-9

       

    Treasurer (2001)  Name and Position
    with Fund (Since)

    60


    Age

    Director – Mutual Fund Accounting 

    Principal Occupation and
    Business Experience For
    Past Five Years

    NATALYA ZELENSKY
    Vice President and Assistant Secretary (2017)

    37

    Chief Compliance Officer since August 2021 and Vice President since February 2020 of Dreyfus,BNY Mellon ETF Investment Adviser, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer since August 2021 and Vice President and Assistant Secretary since February 2020 of BNY Mellon ETF Trust; Managing Counsel of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation from December 2019 to August 2021; Counsel of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation from May 2016 to December 2019; and Assistant Secretary of the Investment Adviser from April 2018 to August 2021. She is an officer of 63

    57 investment companies (comprised of
    147 130 portfolios) managed by Dreyfus.the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.

    BENNETT A. MACDOUGALLDANIEL GOLDSTEIN
    Vice President (2022)

    53

    Head of Product Development of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since January 2018; Co-Head of Product Management, Development & Oversight of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management from January 2010 to January 2018; and Senior Vice President, Development & Oversight of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since 2010.

    A-10

       
    Chief Legal Officer (2015) 

    Name and Position
    with Fund (Since)

    47


    Age

    Chief Legal Officer of Dreyfus

    Principal Occupation and


    Business Experience For
    Past Five Years

    JOSEPH MARTELLA
    Vice President (2022)

    46

    Assistant General Counsel

    Head of Product Management of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since January 2018; Director of Product Research and

    Analytics of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management from January 2010 to January 2018; and Senior Vice President of North America Product, BNY Mellon Investment Management since 2010.

    GAVIN C. REILLY
    Assistant Treasurer (2012)

    54

    Managing Director of

    Tax Manager – BNY Mellon

    since June 2015; from June 2005 to
    June 2015, Director and Associate
    General Counsel of Deutsche Bank
    — Asset & Wealth Management
    division and Chief Legal Officer of
    Deutsche Investment Management
    Americas Inc. Fund Administration. He is an officer of 63
    57 investment companies (comprised of
    147 130 portfolios) managed by Dreyfus.the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.

    JAMES BITETTOROBERT SALVIOLO
    Assistant Treasurer (2012)

    55

    Senior Accounting Manager – BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 130 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.

    ROBERT SVAGNA
    Assistant Treasurer (2012)

    55

    Senior Accounting Manager – BNY Mellon Fund Administration. He is an officer of 57 investment companies (comprised of 130 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.

    A-11

       
    Vice President and  52Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and
    Secretary1(2005) an officer of 63 investment companies
    (comprised of 147 portfolios) managed
    by Dreyfus.

    A-5



    Name and Position
    with Fund (Since)


    Age

    Principal Occupation and
    Business

    Funds (Since)AgeExperience For
    Past Five Years

    SONALEE CROSSJOSEPH W. CONNOLLY
    Chief Compliance Officer (2012)

    65

    Vice President

    Chief Compliance Officer of the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and

    32CounselBNY Mellon Funds Trust since 2004; and Vice PresidentChief Compliance Officer of BNY 
    Assistant Secretary (2018) Mellon since October 2016; Associate 
    at Proskauer Rose LLPthe Investment Adviser from April 
    2016 to September 2016; Attorney 
    at EnTrust Capital from August 2015 
    to February 2016; Associate at Sidley 
    Austin LLP from September 2013 
    2004 until August 2015. SheJune 2021. He is an officer of
    63 investment companies (comprised 
    of 147 portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. 
    DEIRDRE CUNNANE
    Vice President and 29Counsel of BNY Mellon since 2018; 
    Assistant Secretary (2019)Senior Regulatory Specialist at BNY 
    Mellon Investment Management 
    Services from February 2016 until 
    August 2018; Trustee Associate at 
    BNY Mellon Trust Company (Ireland) 
    Limited from August 2013 until 
    February 2016. She is an officer of 63 
    56 investment companies (comprised of
    147117 portfolios) managed by Dreyfus. 
    SARAH S. KELLEHER
    Vice President and  43Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon since 
    Assistant Secretary (2014)December 2017; Senior Counsel of 
    BNY Mellon from March 2013 to 
    December 2017; from August 2005 
    to March 2013, Associate General 
    Counsel, Third Avenue Management. 
    She is an officer of 63 investment 
    companies (comprised of 147portfolios) 
    managed by Dreyfus. 
    JEFF S. PRUSNOFSKY
    Vice President and 53Senior Managing Counsel of BNY 
    Assistant Secretary (2005)Mellon, and an officer of 63 investment 
    companies (comprised of 147 portfolios) 
    managed by Dreyfus. 

    A-6



    Name and Position withPrincipal Occupation and Business
    Funds (Since)AgeExperience For Past Five Years
    PETER M. SULLIVAN
    Vice President and Assistant Secretary (2019)51Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and
     an officer of 63 investment companies
    (comprised of 147 portfolios) managed
    by Dreyfus.
    NATALYA ZELENSKY
    Vice President and  33Counsel and Vice President of BNY
    Assistant Secretary (2017)Mellon since March 2017; attorney
    at Wildermuth Advisory, LLC from
    November 2015 until May 2016;
    Assistant General Counsel at RCS
    Advisory Services from July 2014 until
    November 2015. She is an officer of 63
    investment companies (comprised of
    150 portfolios) managed by Dreyfus.
    GAVIN C. REILLY
    Assistant Treasurer (2005)  51Tax Manager of the Investment
    Accounting and Support Department
    of Dreyfus, and an officer of 63
    investment companies (comprised of
    147 portfolios) managed by Dreyfus.
    ROBERT S. ROBOL
    Assistant Treasurer (2005)  55Senior Accounting Manager — Dreyfus 
    Financial Reporting, and an officer of
    63 investment companies (comprised
    of 147 portfolios) managed by Dreyfus.
    ROBERT SALVIOLO
    Assistant Treasurer (2007)  51Senior Accounting Manager — Equity 
    Funds of Dreyfus, and an officer of 63
    investment companies (comprised of
    147 portfolios) managed by Dreyfus.Adviser.

    A-7


    ____________________
    Name and Position withPrincipal Occupation and Business
    Funds (Since)AgeExperience For Past Five Years
    ROBERT SVAGNA
    Assistant Treasurer (2005)  52Senior Accounting Manager — Fixed 
    Income and Equity Funds of Dreyfus,
    and an officer of 63 investment
    companies (comprised of 147 portfolios)
    managed by Dreyfus.
    JOSEPH W. CONNOLLY
    Chief Compliance Officer (2004)61 Chief Compliance Officer of Dreyfus
    and The Dreyfus Family of Funds (63
    investment companies, comprised of
    147 portfolios).

    11 President since 2021; previously, Vice President.
    2 Chief Legal Officer since July 2021.
    3Vice President and Secretary since 2018; previously, Vice President and Assistant Secretary.

    The address of each officer of the Funds is 200 Park Avenue,240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10166.10286.

    A-8A-12



    PART III

    Part III sets forth information for each Fund regarding the beneficial ownership of its shares as of April 10, 201913, 2022 by the Nominees, the Continuing Directors and officers of the Fund owning shares on such date and by any stockholders owning 5% or more of a class of the Fund’sFund's outstanding shares.

    As of April 10, 2019,13, 2022, none of the Nominees, the Continuing Directors or officers of aeither Fund owned any shares of Common Stock or APS.

    To each Fund’sFund's knowledge, based on Schedule 13G filings made pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, as of April 10, 2019,13, 2022, the following information with respect to beneficial ownership of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and/or outstanding shares of APS has been reported.

          
     DSMB     
     
     Name and Address of Number of Percent 
    Title of Class Beneficial Owner Shares Owned of Class 
    Common Stock First Trust Portfolios L.P.* 3,362,715 6.81%  
     First Trust Advisors L.P.*     
     The Charger Corporation*     
     120 East Liberty Drive     
     Suite 400     
     Wheaton, IL 60187     
     
    APS Bank of America Corp.** 283 14.35%  
     Bank of America     
     Corporate Center     
     100 North Tryon Street     
     Charlotte, NC 28255     

    BNYMSMB

        


    Title of Class

    Name and Address of
    Beneficial Owner

    Number of Shares Owned

    Percent of Class

    Common Stock

    First Trust Portfolios L.P.*
    First Trust Advisors L.P. *
    The Charger Corporation*
    120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
    Wheaton, Illinois 60187

    5,156,777

    10.43%

    APS

    Bank of America Corp.** Bank of America Corporate Center
    100 North Tryon Street
    Charlotte, NC 28255

    565

    17.90%

    As of April 10, 2019,13, 2022, Cede & Co., P.O. Box 20, Bowling Green Station, New York, New York 10274, held of record 98% of the outstanding shares of BNYMSMB's Common Stock and 100% of the outstanding shares of DSMB’s Common Stock and 96.0% of the outstanding shares of DSMB’sBNYMSMB's APS.

    A-9BNYMSM



        


    Title of Class

    Name and Address of
    Beneficial Owner

    Number of Shares Owned

    Percent of Class

    Common Stock

    First Trust Portfolios L.P.*
    First Trust Advisors L.P. *
    The Charger Corporation*
    120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400
    Wheaton, Illinois 60187

    4,696,700

    7.54%

    A-13

          
     DSM     
     
     Name and Address of Number of Percent 
    Title of Class Beneficial Owner Shares Owned of Class 
    Common Stock First Trust Portfolios L.P.* 3,071,282 4.94%  
     First Trust Advisors L.P.*     
     The Charger Corporation*     
     120 East Liberty Drive     
     Suite 400     
     Wheaton, IL 60187     
     
    APS Bank of America Corp.** 565 17.90%  
     Bank of America     
     Corporate Center     
     100 North Tryon Street     
     Charlotte, NC 28255     

        

    APS

    Bank of America Corp.** Bank of America Corporate Center
    100 North Tryon Street
    Charlotte, NC 28255

    283

    14.40%

    As of April 10, 2019,13, 2022, Cede & Co., P.O. Box 20, Bowling Green Station, New York, New York 10274, held of record 94.0%98% of the outstanding shares of DSM’sBNYMSM's Common Stock and 100% of the outstanding shares of DSM’sBNYMSM's APS.

    *     

    These entities share voting and dispositive power with respect to the share amounts and percentages shown.

    _________________________

    * These entities share voting and dispositive power with respect to the share amounts and percentages shown.

    **Bank of America Corporation beneficially owns and has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to its shares through twoone of its wholly-owned subsidiaries.subsidiaries—Bank of America, N.A.

    Delinquent Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting CompliancesReports

         ToUnder Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder, each Fund’s knowledge, all of itsFund's officers and Directors, holders ofpersons owning more than 10% of itsthe Fund's Common Stock or APS, and certain additional persons are required to report their transactions in the Fund's Common Stock or APS to the SEC, the New York Stock Exchange and the Fund, as applicable. Based solely on written representations of such persons and on copies of reports that have been filed with the SEC, each Fund’s shares complied with all filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange ActBNYMSMB and BNYMSM believes that, during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2021 and September 30, 2018 for DSM and November 30, 2018 for DSMB. In making this disclosure, each Fund has relied solely on written representations of certain of2021, respectively, all filing requirements applicable to such persons were complied with, except that Form 3s were not filed on a timely basis for the Investment Adviser and reportsSub-adviser. The Investment Adviser and Sub-adviser filed their Form 3s on October 16, 2021 and January 24, 2022, respectively, reflecting that have been furnished to it.they did not own any shares of either Fund.

    A-10A-14



    EXHIBIT B

    REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

    DreyfusBNY Mellon Strategic Municipals, Inc.
    (the “Fund”)

    November 27, 201821, 2021

    The audit committeeAudit Committee oversees the Fund’s financial reporting process on behalf of
    the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial
    statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal controls. In
    fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the committee reviewed and discussed the
    audited financial statements in the Annual Report with management.

    The committee reviewed with the independent registered public accounting
    firm (the “independent auditors” or “auditors”), who are responsible for expressing
    an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with generally
    accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the
    acceptability, of the Fund’s accounting principles and such other matters as are
    required to be discussed with the committee under the standards of the Public
    Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”). In addition,
    the committee discussed with the independent auditors the auditors’ independence
    from management and the Fund including the auditors’ letter and the matters in
    the written disclosures required by the PCAOB.
    Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the committee recommended
    to the Board of Directors (and the Board approved) that the audited financial
    statements for the Fund be included in the Annual Report to Shareholders for the
    year ended September 30, 2018.

    Ehud Houminer, Audit Committee Chair
    Joseph S. DiMartino, Audit Committee Member
    Joni Evans, Audit Committee Member
    Joan L. Gulley, Audit Committee Member
    Alan H. Howard, Audit Committee Member
    Robin A. Melvin, Audit Committee Member
    Burton Wallack, Audit Committee Member
    Benaree Pratt Wiley, Audit Committee Member

    B-1





    EXHIBIT C

    REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

    Dreyfus Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
    (the “Fund”)

    January 28, 2019

    REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

    The audit committee oversees the Fund’sFund's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the committeeCommittee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report with management.management, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statement.

    The committeeCommittee reviewed with the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm (the “independent auditors”"independent auditors" or “auditors”"auditors"), who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Fund’sFund's accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the committee under the applicable standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”("PCAOB"). and Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the committeeCommittee discussed with the independent auditors the auditors’auditors' independence from management and the Fund, including the auditors’auditors' letter and the matters in the written disclosures required by the PCAOB.PCAOB, and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the auditors' independence.

    The Committee met with the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Fund's internal controls, and the overall quality of the Fund's financial reporting.

    Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the committeeCommittee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board approved) that the audited financial statements for the Fund be included in the Fund’sFund's Annual Report to ShareholdersStockholders for the year ended September 30, 2021.

    Alan H. Howard, Audit Committee Chair
    Joseph S. DiMartino, Audit Committee Member
    Joni Evans, Audit Committee Member
    Joan L. Gulley, Audit Committee Member
    Robin A. Melvin, Audit Committee Member
    Burton Wallack, Audit Committee Member
    Benaree Pratt Wiley, Audit Committee Member

    B-1

    EXHIBIT C

    REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
    BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.

    January 24, 2022

    The Audit Committee oversees the Fund's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report with management, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statement.

    The Committee reviewed with the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm (the "independent auditors" or "auditors"), who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Fund's accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the committee under the applicable standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Committee discussed with the independent auditors the auditors' independence from management and the Fund, including the auditors' letter and the matters in the written disclosures required by the PCAOB, and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the auditors' independence.

    The Committee met with the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Fund's internal controls, and the overall quality of the Fund's financial reporting.

    Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board approved) that the audited financial statements for the Fund be included in the Fund's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended November 30, 2018.2021.

    Ehud Houminer,Alan H. Howard, Audit Committee Chair
    Joseph S. DiMartino, Audit Committee Member
    Joni Evans, Audit Committee Member
    Joan L. Gulley, Audit Committee Member Alan H. Howard, Audit Committee Member
    Robin A. Melvin, Audit Committee Member
    Burton Wallack, Audit Committee Member
    Benaree Pratt Wiley, Audit Committee Member

    C-1



    34



     


    0852-0853-PROXY-22A

    0852-0853PROXY-19



    Please detach at perforation before mailing.

    PROXY

    BNY MELLON STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.

    ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

    TO BE HELD ON JUNE 16, 2022

    COMMON STOCK

    THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.The undersigned stockholder of BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) hereby appoints James Bitetto and Sarah Kelleher, and each of them, the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote, as indicated herein, all shares of the Fund standing in the name of the undersigned at the close of business on April 13, 2022, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund to be virtually held at the following Website: www.meetnow.global/MPRYJX4, on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, and at any and all adjournments thereof (the “Meeting”), with all of the powers the undersigned would possess if then and there personally present and especially (but without limiting the general authorization and power hereby given) to vote as indicated on the proposal, as more fully described in the Proxy Statement for the Meeting. To participate in the Virtual Meeting enter the 14-digit control number from the shaded box on this card. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund and of the accompanying Proxy Statement, the terms of each of which are incorporated by reference, and revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to such meeting.

    THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF THIS PROXY IS PROPERLY EXECUTED BUT NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEE PRINTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS CARD AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDERS ON ANY OTHER MATTER PROPERLY BROUGHT BEFORE THE MEETING.

    EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT


    PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
    DSMB_30564_031319



    EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT

    Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the

    Annual Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on June 12, 2019.
    16, 2022.

    The Proxy Statement and Proxy Card for this meeting are available at:

    https://im.bnymellon.com/proxymaterialsus/en/intermediary/products/closed-end-funds.jsp

    IF YOU VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET,

    PLEASE DO NOT MAIL YOUR CARD

    Please detach at perforation before mailing.

    Please detach at perforation before mailing.

    PROXY

    BNY MELLON STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.

    ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

    TO BE HELD ON JUNE 16, 2022

    PREFERRED STOCK

    THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.The undersigned stockholder of BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) hereby appoints James Bitetto and Sarah Kelleher, and each of them, the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote, as indicated herein, all shares of the Fund standing in the name of the undersigned at the close of business on April 13, 2022, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund to be virtually held at the following Website: www.meetnow.global/MPRYJX4, on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, and at any and all adjournments thereof (the “Meeting”), with all of the powers the undersigned would possess if then and there personally present and especially (but without limiting the general authorization and power hereby given) to vote as indicated on the proposal, as more fully described in the Proxy Statement for the Meeting. To participate in the Virtual Meeting enter the 14-digit control number from the shaded box on this card. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund and of the accompanying Proxy Statement, the terms of each of which are incorporated by reference, and revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to such meeting.

    THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF THIS PROXY IS PROPERLY EXECUTED BUT NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES PRINTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS CARD AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDERS ON ANY OTHER MATTER PROPERLY BROUGHT BEFORE THE MEETING.




    EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT


    PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
    DSMB_30564_031319-Pref



    EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT

    Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the

    Annual Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on June 12, 2019.
    16, 2022.

    The Proxy Statement and Proxy Card for this meeting are available at:

    https://im.bnymellon.com/proxymaterialsus/en/intermediary/products/closed-end-funds.jsp

    IF YOU VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET,

    PLEASE DO NOT MAIL YOUR CARD


    Please detach at perforation before mailing.