# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001057861
**File Stem:** 0002071844-25-000077
**Filing Date:** 2025-9
**Character Count:** 78150
**Document Hash:** 4aa81371fa04e3adb4a0e977420a831a
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0002071844-25-000077.hdr.sgml**: 20250926

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0002071844-25-000077

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: DEF 14A

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 4

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20251120

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20250926

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20250926

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** BNY MELLON HIGH YIELD STRATEGIES FUND
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001057861

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**
- **EIN:** 134001109
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** MA
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 0331

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** DEF 14A
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 811-08703
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251345802

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** C/O BNY MELLON INVESTMENT ADVISER, INC.
- **STREET 2:** 240 GREENWICH STREET
- **CITY:** NEW YORK
- **STATE:** NY
- **ZIP:** 10286
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 2129226400

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** C/O BNY MELLON INVESTMENT ADVISER, INC.
- **STREET 2:** 240 GREENWICH STREET
- **CITY:** NEW YORK
- **STATE:** NY
- **ZIP:** 10286

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** DREYFUS HIGH YIELD STRATEGIES FUND
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19980316

#### SCHEDULE 14A

#### (RULE 14A-101)

#### INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

#### SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

#### PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES

#### EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. __)
Filed by the Registrant [X]

Filed by a Party other than the [_] Registrant

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Check the appropriate box: | Check the appropriate box: |
| [ ] | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
| [_] | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
| [X] | Definitive Proxy Statement |
| [_] | Definitive Additional Materials |
| [_] | Soliciting Materials under Rule 14a-12 |

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****

<br> #### BNY MELLON HIGH YIELD STRATEGIES FUND
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box): | Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box): |
| [X] | No fee required. |
| [_] | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
| (1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
| (2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
| (3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: |
| (4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
| (5) | Total Fee Paid: |
| [_] | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
| [_] | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. |
| Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. | Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
| (1) | Amount Previously Paid: |
| (2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
| (3) | Filing Party: |
| (4) | Date Filed: |

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#### c/o BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc.
240 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10286

#### www.bny.com/closed-end-funds

September 26, 2025

Dear Shareholder:

BNY Mellon High Yield Strategies Fund (the "Fund") and certain other funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds will hold special shareholder meetings on November 20, 2025 in a virtual meeting format only. Shareholders of each of these funds will be asked to elect Board members of their funds. All of the nominees are current Board members of some or all of these funds. The election of additional Board members to the Fund is being proposed primarily to consolidate the Boards of these funds. Consolidating the Boards of the funds may provide certain administrative efficiencies for the funds. The enclosed proxy statement describes the nominees' qualifications and each of their respective current roles overseeing funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds. Please take the time to read the enclosed materials.

Remember, your vote is extremely important, no matter how large or small your Fund holdings. By voting promptly, you can help avoid additional costs that are incurred with follow-up letters and calls.

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• *By Mail*. Please complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy card and mail it in the enclosed, postage-paid envelope.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• *Over the Internet*. Have your proxy card available. Go to the website listed on the proxy card. Enter your control number from your proxy card. Follow the instructions on the website.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• *By Telephone*. Have your proxy card available. Call the toll-free number listed on the proxy card. Enter your control number from your proxy card. Follow the recorded instructions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• *At the Meeting*. You will not be able to attend the meeting physically, but you may attend the meeting virtually and vote over the Internet during the meeting.

The meeting will be conducted over the Internet in a virtual meeting format only. However, if it is determined that the meeting will be held in person, we will make an announcement in the manner discussed in the Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders.

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We encourage you to vote over the Internet or by telephone using the number that appears on your proxy card. These voting methods will save the Fund money because they would not have to pay for return-mail postage. If you later decide to attend the meeting virtually, you may revoke your proxy and vote your shares over the Internet during the meeting. Whichever voting method you choose, please take the time to read the full text of the proxy statement before you vote.

Your vote is very important to us. If you have any questions before you vote, please call the Fund's proxy solicitor, Equiniti Fund Solutions, at 1-800-581-5238. Thank you for your response and for your continued investment with the Fund.

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|:---|
| Sincerely,<br> <u>/s/ David DiPetrillo</u><br>|
| David DiPetrillo<br> President<br> The BNY Mellon Family of Funds |

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#### BNY MELLON HIGH YIELD STRATEGIES FUND

#### Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders
To the Shareholders of BNY Mellon High Yield Strategies Fund (the "Fund"):

A Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") of the Fund, a closed-end investment company, will be held over the Internet in a virtual meeting format only on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, for the following purpose:

To elect one Class I Trustee to serve for a two-year term, two Class II Trustees to serve for three-year terms, and one Class III Trustee to serve for a one-year term, in each case until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

The Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only. You will not be able to attend the Meeting physically, but you may participate over the Internet as described below. However, if it is determined that the Meeting will be held in person, we will make an announcement in the manner noted below.

Shareholders of record at the close of business on September 19, 2025 will be entitled to receive notice of the Meeting and to vote on the proposal. To participate in the Meeting virtually, you must request the Meeting credentials by emailing attendameeting@equiniti.com. Please include your full name and address, your control number found on your enclosed proxy card and your intent to attend the virtual Meeting, and write the name of your Fund in the subject line. The Meeting will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

If you hold your shares through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker, you must register in advance to attend the Meeting virtually. To register, you must submit proof of your proxy power (legal proxy provided by your intermediary) reflecting your Fund holdings along with your name and email address to attendameeting@equiniti.com. You may also forward proof of ownership from your intermediary to attendameeting@equiniti.com. Requests for registration should be received no later than 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. You will receive a confirmation email from attendameeting@equiniti.com of your registration and control number that will allow you to vote at the Meeting. If you have any questions after considering the enclosed materials, please call the Funds' proxy solicitor, Equiniti Fund Solutions, at 1-800-581-5238.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting virtually, 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.

**PLEASE NOTE:** If it is determined that the Meeting will be held in person, instead of virtually, an announcement of the change will be provided by means of a press release, which will be posted on our website **<u>www.bny.com/closed-end-funds</u>**. We encourage you to check the website prior to the Meeting. An announcement of

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any change will also be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission via its EDGAR system.

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|:---|
| By Order of the Board |
| <br> <u>/s/ Sarah S. Kelleher</u><br>Sarah S. Kelleher<br>Secretary<br>|

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New York, New York<br>

September 26, 2025

WE NEED YOUR PROXY VOTE<br>**A SHAREHOLDER MAY THINK ITS VOTE IS NOT IMPORTANT, BUT IT IS <u>VITAL</u>. BY LAW, THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND WILL HAVE TO BE ADJOURNED WITHOUT CONDUCTING ANY BUSINESS IF SHAREHOLDERS REPRESENTING LESS THAN A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES ENTITLED TO BE CAST AT THE MEETING ARE PRESENT. IN THAT EVENT, THE FUND, AT SHAREHOLDERS' 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 CARD OR OTHERWISE VOTE PROMPTLY. YOU AND ALL OTHER SHAREHOLDERS WILL BENEFIT FROM YOUR COOPERATION.**<br>

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#### BNY MELLON HIGH YIELD STRATEGIES FUND
 **PROXY STATEMENT**

<br> #### Special Meeting of Shareholders<br> to be held on Thursday, November 20, 2025
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with a solicitation of proxies by the Board of Trustees (the "Board") of BNY Mellon High Yield Strategies Fund (the "Fund"), a closed-end investment company, to be used at a Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund (the "Meeting") to be held over the Internet in a virtual meeting format only on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof, for the purpose set forth in the accompanying Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders.

Shareholders of record at the close of business on September 19, 2025 (the "Record Date") are entitled to receive notice of the Meeting and to vote on the proposal. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Meeting physically but may participate over the Internet as described in the Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders.

Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each Fund share held and fractional votes for each fractional Fund share held as of the Record Date. Shares represented by executed and unrevoked proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications made thereon. If the enclosed proxy card is properly executed and returned, or if you have voted by telephone or over the Internet, your vote nevertheless may be revoked after it is received by sending a written notice of revocation to the proxy tabulator at the address listed on the proxy card or by mailing a duly executed proxy card bearing a later date; you may also change your vote by calling the toll-free telephone number listed under "To vote by Telephone" on the proxy card or over the Internet by going to the website listed on the proxy card and following the instructions on the website. To be effective, such revocation or vote change must be received before your prior proxy is exercised at the Meeting. If you hold shares through a bank or other intermediary, please consult your bank or intermediary regarding your ability to revoke voting instructions after such instructions have been provided. In addition, any shareholder who attends the Meeting virtually may vote over the Internet during the Meeting, thereby canceling any proxy previously given.

A quorum is constituted for the Fund by the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote at the 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, the chairperson of the Meeting or the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies for the Fund.

As of August 22, 2025, the Fund had 72,826,245 shares of beneficial interest outstanding.

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It is estimated that proxy materials will be mailed to shareholders of record on or about October 3, 2025. 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 Fund will begin sending you individual copies promptly after receiving your request. The principal executive office of the Fund is located at 240 Greenwich Street, 18<sup>th</sup> Floor, New York, New York 10286.

**A copy of the Fund's most recent Annual Report to Shareholders is available upon request, without charge, by visiting <u>www.bny.com/closed-end-funds</u>**, **writing to the Fund at BNY Mellon High Yield Strategies Fund 240 Greenwich Street New York, New York 10286, calling your financial adviser, or calling toll free 1-800-373-9387.**

**Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting of Shareholders to Be Held on Thursday, November 20, 2025: The Letter to Shareholders, Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement and Form of Proxy Card, and any additional proxy soliciting materials are available at** <u>www.bny.com/closed-end-funds</u>**.**

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#### PROPOSAL: ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
<u>The Nominees</u>. The Board is divided into three classes with the term of office of one class expiring each year. It is proposed that shareholders of the Fund consider the election of the individuals listed below (the "Nominees") as Trustees of the indicated class of the Fund, to serve for the terms indicated below and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The election of additional Trustees to the Board of the Fund is being proposed primarily to consolidate the Board of the Fund with the Boards of other funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds. Consolidating the Board of the Fund with the Boards of these other funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds may provide certain administrative efficiencies for the Fund.

It is therefore proposed that shareholders of the Fund consider the election of (i) Ms. Joan L. Gulley as a Class I Trustee to serve for a two-year term; (ii) Mr. Alan H. Howard and Mr. Burton N. Wallack as Class II Trustees to serve for three-year terms; and (iii) Ms. Robin A. Melvin as a Class III Trustee to serve for a one-year term.

Each Nominee currently serves as a board member of certain other funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds. Each Nominee was nominated by the Fund's nominating committee, has consented to being named in this proxy statement and has agreed to serve as a Trustee of the Fund if elected.

Biographical information about each Nominee is set forth below. Biographical information about the Fund's Trustees who are not standing for election at the Meeting but who will continue to be Trustees of the Fund after the Meeting (each, a "Continuing Trustee"), information on each Nominee's and Continuing Trustee's ownership of Fund shares and other relevant information is set forth in Exhibit A to this proxy statement. None of the Nominees or Continuing Trustees are deemed to be "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) of the Fund.

The persons named as proxies on the accompanying proxy card intend to vote the proxy for the election of the Nominees, unless shareholders 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 Trustee for any reason, but, if that should occur prior to the Meeting, the Board reserves the right to substitute another person or persons of its choice as nominee or nominees.

<u>Board's Oversight Role in Management.</u> The Board's role in management of the Fund is oversight. As is the case with virtually all investment companies (as distinguished from operating companies), service providers to the Fund, primarily BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc., the Fund's investment adviser (the "Investment Adviser" or "BNYIA"), and its affiliates, and Alcentra NY, LLC, the Fund's sub-adviser (the "Sub-Adviser"), 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

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credit risk, compliance risk and operational risk). As part of its oversight, the 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 Sub-Adviser and their affiliates, the Fund's and the Investment Adviser's Chief Compliance Officer and portfolio management personnel. The Board's Audit Committee (which consists of all Trustees) meets during its regularly scheduled and special meetings, and between meetings the Audit Committee chair is available to the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm and the Fund's Chief Financial Officer. The Board also receives periodic presentations from senior personnel of the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or their 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, the Board also receives informational reports from counsel to the Fund and the Board's independent legal counsel regarding regulatory compliance and governance matters. The 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 the 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 eliminate all of the risks applicable to the Fund, and the Board's risk management oversight is subject to inherent limitations.

<u>Board Composition and Leadership Structure.</u> The 1940 Act requires that at least 40% of the Fund's Trustees not be "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund ("Independent Trustees") and as such are not affiliated with the Investment Adviser. To rely on certain exemptive rules under the 1940 Act, a majority of the Fund's Trustees must be Independent Trustees, and for certain important matters, such as the approval of the Fund's investment advisory agreement or transactions with affiliates, the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder require the approval of a majority of the Independent Trustees. Currently, all of the Fund's Trustees, including the Chairman of the Board, are Independent Trustees. The 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 the Fund, including, but not limited to: (i) the services that the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates provide to the Fund and potential conflicts of interest that could arise from these relationships; (ii) the extent to which the day-to-day operations of the Fund are conducted by Fund officers and employees of the Investment Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates; and (iii) the Board's oversight role in management of the Fund.

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<u>Information About Each Nominee's and Continuing Trustee's Experience, Qualifications, Attributes or Skills.</u> Nominees for Trustee of the Fund, together with information as to their principal occupations and other board memberships for the past five years, are shown below. The address of each Nominee is 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286. Specific information about the Continuing Trustees of the Fund, information on each Nominee's and Continuing Trustee's ownership of Fund shares and other relevant information is set forth in Exhibit A.

#### Nominee for Class I Trustee with Term Expiring in 2027

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| **<br> Name (Age)<br> <u>of Nominee</u>** | **Principal**<br> **Occupation During**<br> **<u>Past 5 Years</u>** | **Other Public Company<br> Board Memberships<br> <u>During Past 5 Years</u>** |

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| **JOAN L. GULLEY** (77) | Nantucket Atheneum, public library, *Chair* (June 2018 – June 2021) and *Director* (2015 – June 2021)<br> Orchid Island Club, golf and beach club, *Governor* (2016 – February 2025) and *President* (February 2023 – February 2025) | N/A |

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#### Nominees for Class II Trustees with Terms Expiring in 2028

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|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name (Age)<br> <u>of Nominee</u>** | **Principal<br> Occupation During<br> <u>Past 5 Years</u>** | **Other Public Company<br> Board Memberships<br> <u>During Past 5 Years</u>** |
| **ALAN H. HOWARD** (65) | Heathcote Advisors LLC, a financial advisory services firm, *Managing Partner* (2008 – Present)<br> Dynatech/MPX Holdings LLC, a global supplier and service provider of military aircraft parts, *President* (2012 – May 2019); and *Board Member* of its two operating<br>| Movado Group, Inc., a public company that designs, sources, markets and distributes watches, *Director* (1997 – Present)<br> Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., a public company that provides contract drilling services, *Director* (2020 – April 2021)<br>|

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|  | subsidiaries, Dynatech International LLC and Military Parts Exchange LLC (2012 – December 2019), including *Chief Executive Officer* of Dynatech International LLC (2013 – May 2019)<br> Rossoff & Co., an independent investment banking firm, *Senior Advisor* (2013 – June 2021) | Siddhi Acquisition Corp, a public company that focuses on effecting merger, amalgamation, acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with businesses, *Director* (August 2024 – Present) |
| **BURTON N. WALLACK** (74) | Wallack Management Company, a real estate management company, *President and Co-owner* (1987 – Present) | Mount Sinai Hospital Urology, *Board Member* (2017 – Present) |

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#### Nominee for Class III Trustee with Term Expiring in 2026

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| **Name (Age)<br> <u>of Nominee</u>** | **Principal<br> Occupation During<br> <u>Past 5 Years</u>** | **<u>Other Public Company Board Memberships During Past 5 Years</u>** |
| **ROBIN A. MELVIN** (61) | Westover School, a private girls' boarding school in Middlebury, Connecticut, *Trustee* (2019 – June 2023)<br> Mentor Illinois, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of mentoring services in Illinois, *Co-Chair* (2014 – March 2020); *Board Member* (2013 – March 2020)<br>| HPS Corporate Lending Fund, a closed-end management investment company regulated as a business development company, *Trustee* (August 2021 – Present)<br> HPS Corporate Capital Solutions Fund, a closed-end management investment |

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JDRF, a non-profit juvenile diabetes research foundation, *Board Member* (June 2021 – June 2022) company regulated as a business development company, *Trustee* (December 2023 – Present)

Each Nominee has been a BNY Mellon Family of Funds board member for several years. 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 Board believes has prepared them to be effective Trustees (this information for the Continuing Trustees is set forth in Exhibit A). The Board believes that the significance of each Nominee's experience, qualifications, attributes or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience that is important for one Trustee may not have the same value for another) and that these factors are best evaluated at the Board level, with no single Trustee, or particular factor, being indicative of Board effectiveness. However, the Board believes that Trustees 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; the Board believes that its members satisfy this standard. Experience relevant to having this ability may be achieved through a Trustee's educational background; business, professional training or practice (e.g., medicine, accounting or law), public service or academic positions; experience from service as a Board member (including the Board of the 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 the Board's nominating committee contains certain other factors considered by the committee in identifying and evaluating potential Trustee nominees. To assist them in evaluating matters under federal and state law, the Trustees 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's counsel; counsel to the Fund and to the Board has significant experience advising funds and fund board members. The Board and its committees have the ability to engage other experts as appropriate. The Board evaluates its performance on an annual basis.

#### Nominee for Class I Trustee
**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

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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 served as a Governor and President of the Orchid Island Club until February 2025, and from 2015 to 2021 served on the Board of Trustees of the Nantucket Atheneum.

#### Nominees for Class II Trustees
**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 and human capital committee and a member of the board's audit committee. Since April 2022, Mr. Howard is also a member of the Board of Directors of New England Expert Technologies Corp. (formerly, Valley Precision Parts Corporation), a privately held manufacturer of complex, close tolerance and precision-machined parts and assemblies for a variety of industries and applications. Since February 2025, he has served as a Senior Advisor to LSH Partners Securities LLC, an independent boutique investment bank providing a variety of advisory services including M&A, restructuring, capital markets and corporate finance across a broad range of industries. 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 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

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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.

**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.

#### Nominee for Class III Trustee
**Robin A. Melvin** – From 2014 to 2020, Ms. Melvin served as Co-Chair of Mentor Illinois, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of mentoring services in Illinois, and served as a Board member 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. Ms. Melvin served as a Board member of JDRF, a non-profit juvenile diabetes research foundation from June 2021 to June 2022. She also serves as a Trustee of HPS Corporate Lending Fund (August 2021 to present) and HPS Corporate Capital Solutions Fund (December 2023 to present), each a closed-end management investment company regulated as a business development company, and a Director with Northwestern Memorial Hospital Board of Directors (March 2024 to present), an academic medical center, and served as a Trustee of Westover School, a private girls boarding school in Middlebury, Connecticut, from 2019 to June 2023.

<u>Fund Board Committees.</u> The Fund has standing Audit, Nominating, Compensation and Litigation Committees, each comprised of its Independent Trustees, except that Mr. 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 the Fund's Audit Committee Charter, which describes the Audit Committee's purposes, duties and responsibilities, is available

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at <u>www.bny.com/closed-end-funds</u> in the "BNY Audit Committee Charter" section under "Investments – Closed End Funds".

The 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 shareholders. In evaluating potential nominees, including any nominees recommended by shareholders, the Committee takes into consideration the factors listed in the 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 shareholders submitted to the Secretary of the Fund, c/o BNY Legal Department, 240 Greenwich Street, 18<sup>th</sup> 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 Fund's or the Investment Adviser's website, but was attached as Exhibit B to the Fund's proxy statement for the 2025 annual shareholder meeting (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on July 15, 2025).

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 Fund and the Investment Adviser in connection with any potential or existing litigation or other legal proceeding related to securities held by the Fund and held or otherwise deemed to have a beneficial interest held by the Investment Adviser or its affiliate.

<u>Compensation.</u> 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 the Fund and those other funds on the basis of net assets, with the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Joseph S. DiMartino, receiving an additional 25% of such compensation. The Fund reimburses Trustees for travel and out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attending Board or committee meetings. The Fund does not have a bonus, pension, profit-sharing or retirement plan.

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 serves as investment adviser) for which the Nominee was a board member during 2024, was as follows<sup>\*</sup>:

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name of Board**<br> **<u>Nominee</u>** | **Compensation from<br> <u>the Fund</u>** | **Aggregate Compensation from<br> the Fund and Fund Complex**<br>**Paid to Board**<br> **<u>Nominee(<sup>\*\*</sup>)</u>** |
| Joan L. Gulley | N/A | $404700 (46) |
| Alan H. Howard | N/A | $170700 (17) |
| Robin A. Melvin | N/A | $675700 (68) |
| Burton N. Wallack | N/A | $170700 (17) |

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_______________

<sup>\*</sup> Amounts shown do not include expenses reimbursed to Nominees for attending Board meetings. Amounts shown also do not include the costs of office space, office supplies and secretarial services, which are paid by the Fund (allocated among the funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds based on net assets), which, in 2024, amounted to approximately $243 paid by the Fund.

<sup>\*\*</sup> Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment companies in the fund complex for which the Nominee served as a Board member in 2024.

For the Fund's most recent fiscal year, the number of Board and committee meetings held and the amount of compensation paid by the Fund to the Continuing Trustees 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 2024 are set forth in Exhibit A. Certain other information concerning the Fund's Trustees and officers also is set forth in Exhibit A.

#### Required Vote
Provided a quorum is present, the election of a Nominee requires the affirmative vote of a majority of shares of the Fund represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting.

#### ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

#### Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The 1940 Act requires that the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm (the "independent auditors" or "auditors") be selected by a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the Fund's independent auditors. At a meeting held on February 26, 2025, the Fund's Audit Committee approved and the Fund's Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees,

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ratified and approved the selection of KPMG LLP ("KPMG") as the independent auditors for the Fund's fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. The Audit Committee's report relating to the Fund's financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 is attached as Exhibit C to this proxy statement.

#### Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Services
The following chart reflects fees billed by KPMG in the 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 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 KPMG to the Fund and Service Affiliates. All services provided by KPMG were pre-approved, as required.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **<u>Fund<sup>1</sup></u>** | **<u>Service Affiliates<sup>1</sup></u>** |
|  **Audit Fees** | $110,300/$112,600 | $0/$0 |
|  **Audit-Related Fees<sup>2</sup>** | $5,800/$6,000 | $0/$0 |
|  **Tax Fees<sup>3</sup>** | $0/$0 | $0/$0 |
|  **All Other Fees** | $0/$0 | $0/$0 |
|  **Aggregate Non-Audit Fees<sup>4</sup>** | N/A | $4,074,591/$5,102,266 |

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_______________

<sup>1.</sup> Fiscal years ended March 31, 2024/March 31, 2025

<sup>2.</sup> Services to the Fund consisted of security counts required by Rule 17f-2 under the 1940 Act.

<sup>3.</sup> Services to the Fund consisted of U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments.

<sup>4.</sup> Aggregate non-audit fees billed by KPMG to the Fund and Service Affiliates are shown under the Service Affiliates column.

***Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures.*** The Fund's Audit Committee has established policies and procedures (the "Policy") for pre-approval (within specified fee limits) of KPMG'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 KPMG'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.*** The 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 KPMG's independence.

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A representative of KPMG 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 the Fund's investment adviser pursuant to an Investment Management and Administration Agreement between the Fund and BNYIA. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board approving the Investment Management and Administration Agreement is available in the Fund's annual report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. BNYIA is the primary mutual fund business of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation ("BNY"), a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle.

Alcentra NY, LLC, located at One Madison Avenue, Suite 1600, New York, New York 10010, serves as the Fund's sub-adviser. The Sub-Adviser, subject to the Investment Adviser's supervision and approval, provides day-to-day management of the Fund's assets. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board approving the sub-investment advisory agreement between the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser is available in the Fund's annual report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.

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 the Fund.

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

#### Voting Information

#### To vote, you may use any of the following methods:
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• *By Mail.* Please complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy card and mail it in the enclosed, postage-paid envelope.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• *Over the Internet.* Have your proxy card available. Go to the website listed on the proxy card. Enter your control number from your proxy card. Follow the instructions on the website.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• *By Telephone.* Have your proxy card available. Call the toll-free number listed on the proxy card. Enter your control number from your proxy card. Follow the recorded instructions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• *At the Meeting*. You will not be able to attend the Meeting physically, but you may attend the Meeting virtually. Any shareholder who attends the Meeting virtually may vote over the Internet (see above) during the Meeting.

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Shares represented by properly 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" the election of the Nominees.

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 the 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. However, because the Fund understands that a broker or nominee may exercise discretionary voting power with respect to the proposal to elect Trustees, and there are no other proposals expected to come before the Meeting for which a broker or nominee would not have discretionary voting authority, the Fund does not anticipate that there will be any "broker non-votes" at the Meeting.

The Fund will bear the cost of preparing, printing and mailing this proxy statement and the attached Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and the accompanying proxy card, as well as related reporting and tabulation costs, legal and accounting expenses, and the costs associated with proxy solicitation, which is estimated to total approximately $57,027. 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 shareholder's identity. In all cases where a telephonic proxy is solicited (as opposed to where the shareholder calls the toll-free telephone number directly to vote), the shareholder will be asked to provide or confirm certain identifiable information and to confirm that the shareholder has received the Fund's proxy statement and proxy card. Within 72 hours of receiving a shareholder's solicited telephonic voting instructions, a confirmation will be sent to the shareholder to ensure that the vote has been taken in accordance with the shareholder's instructions and to provide a telephone number to call immediately if the shareholder's instructions are not correctly reflected in the confirmation. The Fund will retain Equiniti Fund Solutions (the "Proxy Solicitor") to assist in the solicitation of proxies, primarily by contacting shareholders by telephone. The cost of the Proxy Solicitor is estimated to be approximately $12,000, which amount is included in the estimated total expense listed above.

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#### OTHER MATTERS
The Fund's Board is not aware of any other matter which may come before the Meeting. However, should any such matter 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 discretion on such matter.

Any proposals of shareholders that are intended to be presented at the Fund's 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders 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 Fund at the Fund's principal executive offices no later than March 11, 2026, and must comply with all other legal requirements in order to be included in the Fund's proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting. For other shareholder proposals to be presented at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (but not included in the Fund's proxy statement), a shareholder's notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the Fund at the Fund's principal executive offices no earlier than February 9, 2026 and no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on March 11, 2026. If the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from August 20, 2026, then timely notice must be delivered not earlier than the 150<sup>th</sup> day prior to such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the later of the 120<sup>th</sup> day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. All shareholder proposals must include the information required by the Fund's bylaws.

Shareholders who wish to communicate with Trustees should send communications to the attention of the Secretary of the Fund, c/o BNY Legal Department, 240 Greenwich Street, 18<sup>th</sup> Floor, New York, New York 10286, and communications will be directed to the Trustee or Trustees indicated in the communication or, if no Trustee or Trustees are indicated, to the Chairman of the Board.

#### NOTICE TO BANKS, BROKER/DEALERS AND<br> VOTING TRUSTEES AND THEIR NOMINEES
Please advise the Fund, in care of BNY Institutional Services 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard Uniondale, New York 11556-0144, 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. The 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.

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

Dated: September 26, 2025

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#### EXHIBIT A

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

<u>Information About the Continuing Trustees' Experience, Qualifications, Attributes or Skills.</u> The Continuing Trustees of the Fund who are not standing for election at the Meeting, 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 the Continuing Trustees is 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.

#### Continuing Class I Trustees with Terms Expiring in 2027

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name (Age) of <br> Continuing Trustee**<br>**Position with Fund** <br> <u>(Since)</u> | **<br> Principal Occupation<br> <u>During Past 5 Years</u>** | **<u> </u>Other Public<br> Company Board**<br> **Memberships**<br> **<u>During Past 5 Years</u>** |
| **FRANCINE J. BOVICH** (73)<br> **Class I Trustee** (2011) | The Bradley Trusts, private trust funds, *Trustee* (2011 – Present) | Annaly Capital Management, Inc., a real estate investment trust, *Director* (2014 –2025) |
| **BRADLEY J. SKAPYAK** (66)<br> **Class I Trustee** (2021) | Chief Operating Officer and Director of The Dreyfus Corporation (2009 – 2019)<br> Chief Executive Officer and Director of MBSC Securities Corporation (2016 – 2019)<br> Chairman and Director of Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. (2011 – 2019)<br> Senior Vice President of The Bank of New York Mellon (2007 – 2019) | N/A |

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#### Continuing Class II Trustees with Terms Expiring in 2028

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name (Age) of** <br>**Continuing Trustee**<br> **Position with Fund** <br> <u>(Since)</u> | **<br> Principal Occupation<br> <u>During Past 5 Years</u>** | **Other Public**<br> **Company Board**<br> **Memberships<br> <u>During Past 5 Years</u>** |
| **ROSLYN M. WATSON** (75)<br> **Class II Trustee** (1998) | Watson Ventures, Inc., a real estate investment company, *Principal* (1993 – Present) | N/A |
| **BENAREE PRATT WILEY** (79)<br> **Class II Trustee** (1998)<br>| 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)<br> Blue Cross – Blue Shield of Massachusetts, *Director* (2004 – December 2020) |

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#### Continuing Class III Trustees with Terms Expiring in 2026

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name (Age) of <br>Continuing Trustee<br> Position with Fund <br> <u>(Since)</u>**<br>| **<br> Principal Occupation<br> <u>During Past 5 Years</u>** | **Other Public**<br> **Company Board<br> Memberships<br> <u>During Past 5 Years</u>** |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **JOSEPH S. DIMARTINO** (81)<br> **Chairman of the Board**<br> **and**<br> **Class III Trustee** (1998) | Director or Trustee of 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* (1997 – May 2023) |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name (Age) of <br>Continuing Trustee<br> Position with Fund <br> <u>(Since)</u><br>**  | **Principal Occupation<br> <u>During Past 5 Years</u>** | **Other Public<br> Company Board<br> Memberships<br> <u>During Past 5 Years</u>**  |
| **ANDREW J. DONOHUE** (74)<br> **Class III Trustee** (2019) | Attorney, Solo Law Practice (2019 – Present)<br> Shearman & Sterling LLP, a law firm, Of Counsel (2017 – 2019)<br> Chief of Staff to the Chair of the SEC (2015 – 2017) | N/A |

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The Board is comprised of a diverse and highly experienced group of Trustees who each bring significant expertise and leadership experience to the Board. Each Continuing Trustee, except Messrs. Donohue and Skapyak, has been a BNY Mellon Family of Funds board member for over 20 years. Mr. Donohue has over 40 years of experience in the investment funds industry. Mr. Skapyak has over 30 years of experience in the investment funds industry. Additional information about the Continuing Trustees follows (supplementing the information provided in the table above) that describes some of the specific experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that the Continuing Trustees possess which the Board believes has prepared them to be effective Trustees.

*Continuing Trustees*

**Francine J. Bovich** – Ms. Bovich currently also serves as a Trustee for The Bradley Trusts, private trust funds, and served as a Director of Annaly Capital Management, Inc. from 2014 to 2025. She is an Emeritus Trustee of Connecticut College, and served as a Trustee from 1986 to 1997. She currently serves as a member of the Investment Committee (formerly, the Investment Sub Committee) for Connecticut College's endowment fund and served as Chair of the Investment Sub Committee until June 2020. From April 1993 until September 2010, Ms. Bovich was a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, holding various positions including Co-Head of Global Tactical Asset Allocation Group, Operations Officer, and Head of the U.S. Institutional Equity Group. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Ms. Bovich was Principal, Executive Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at Westwood Management Corporation, where she worked from 1986 until 1993. From 1980 to 1986, she worked at CitiCorp Investment Management, Inc. as Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager. From 1973 to 1980, Ms. Bovich was an Assistant Vice President and Equity Portfolio Manager at Bankers Trust Company. From 1991 to 2005, she served as U.S.

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Representative to the United Nations Investments Committee, advising a global portfolio of approximately $30 billion.

**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 BNY 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.

**Andrew J. (Buddy) Donohue** – Mr. Donohue, who has worked as a solo law practitioner since 2019, has over 40 years of experience in the investment funds industry, in both senior government and private sector roles. Mr. Donohue served as Chief of Staff to the Chair of the SEC, from 2015 to 2017, and previously served as the Director of the SEC's Division of Investment Management, from 2006 to 2010, where he was effectively the most senior regulator for the U.S. investment funds industry. Mr. Donohue was Global General Counsel of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, from 2003 to 2006, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of OppenheimerFunds, Inc., from 1991 to 2001, and Investment Company General Counsel of Goldman Sachs, from 2012 to 2015. Most recently, Mr. Donohue was an independent Director of the OppenheimerFunds, from 2017 to 2019, and Of Counsel at the law firm of Shearman & Sterling LLP, from September 2017 to July 2019. Mr. Donohue has been an officer, director and counsel for numerous investment advisers, broker-dealers, commodity trading advisers, transfer agents and insurance companies, and has served on the boards of business development companies, registered open-end funds, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds and off-shore investment funds. He has also served as chairman of the American Bar Association's Investment Companies and Investment Advisers Subcommittee, editor of the ABA Fund Director's Guidebook and, since 2018, director, and since January 2023, Chair of the Mutual Fund Directors Forum, a leading funds industry organization. Mr. Donohue also is an adjunct professor teaching investment management law at Brooklyn Law School.

**Bradley J. Skapyak** – Mr. Skapyak has over 30 years of experience in the investment funds industry. From January 2010 through May 2019, Mr. Skapyak served as President of the funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds. From June 2009 through May 2019, Mr. Skapyak served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of The Dreyfus Corporation, where he was primarily responsible for the relationship between The Dreyfus Corporation and the BNY Mellon Family of Funds, served as management's representative at BNY Mellon Family of Funds' Board meetings and managed the mutual fund administration operations of The Dreyfus Corporation in

------

connection with its role as administrator to the BNY Mellon Family of Funds. Mr. Skapyak also served, from August 2016 through May 2019, as Chief Executive Officer and Director of MBSC Securities Corporation; from May 2011 through May 2019, as Chairman and Director of Dreyfus Transfer, Inc.; and from April 2007 through May 2019, as Senior Vice President of The Bank of New York Mellon.

**Roslyn M. Watson** – Ms. Watson has been a business entrepreneur in commercial and residential real estate for over 15 years. Ms. Watson currently serves as President and Founder of Watson Ventures, Inc., a real estate development investment firm, and her board memberships include American Express Bank, FSB (until 2018), The Hyams Foundation, Inc. (emeritus), Pathfinder International (until September 2022) and Simmons College. Previously, she held various positions in the public and private sectors, including General Manager for the Massachusetts Port Authority. She has received numerous awards, including the Woman of Achievement award from the Boston Big Sister Association and the Working Woman of the Year Award from Working Woman Magazine.

**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 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) and Blue Cross – Blue Shield of Massachusetts. 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.

<u>Nominees' and Continuing Trustees' Ownership of Fund Shares.</u> The table below indicates the dollar range of the Nominees' and the Continuing Trustees' ownership of shares of the Fund's beneficial interest and shares of other funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds in the aggregate, in each case as of December 31, 2024.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name of Continuing<br> Trustee or Board<br> <u>Nominee</u>** | **Fund<br> <u>Shares</u>** | **Aggregate Holdings of<br> Funds in the<br>BNY Mellon Family of<br> <u>Funds</u>** |
| Francine J. Bovich |  | $50001 – $100000 |
| Joseph S. DiMartino | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
| Andrew J. Donohue |  | Over $100,000 |
| Joan L. Gulley<sup>\*</sup> |  | Over $100,000 |
| Alan H. Howard<sup>\*</sup> |  | Over $100,000 |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name of Continuing<br> Trustee or Board<br> <u>Nominee</u>**<br>| **<br> Fund<br> <u>Shares</u>** | **Aggregate Holdings of<br> Funds in the<br>BNY Mellon Family of<br> <u>Funds</u>**<br>|
| Robin A. Melvin<sup>\*</sup> |  | $10001 – $50000 |
| Bradley J. Skapyak | $10001 – $50000 | Over $100,000 |
| Burton N. Wallack<sup>\*</sup> |  |  |
| Roslyn M. Watson |  | $10001 – $50000 |
| Benaree Pratt Wiley |  | $50001 – $100000 |

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________________<br> <sup>\*</sup> *Nominee.*

As of August 22, 2025, none of the Nominees or the Continuing Trustees or their immediate family members owned securities of the Investment Adviser or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Investment Adviser.

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#### PERTAINING TO THE BOARD
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• The Fund held six Board meetings, five Audit Committee meetings, one Compensation Committee meeting and one Nominating Committee meeting during the Fund's last fiscal year. The Litigation Committee did not meet during the last fiscal year.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• The Fund does not have a formal policy regarding Trustees' attendance at annual meetings of shareholders. Trustees did not attend last year's annual meeting of shareholders.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• All Continuing Trustees and Board Nominees of the Fund attended at least 75% of the meetings 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 the Fund to each Continuing Trustee by the Fund for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, and the aggregate amount of compensation paid to each Continuing Trustee 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 such person was a Board member during 2024, was as follows:<sup>\*</sup><u> </u><u> </u>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **<br><u>Name</u>** | **<br>Compensation<br> <u>from the Fund</u>** | **Aggregate Compensation<br> from the Fund and<br> Fund Complex Paid<br> <u>to Trustee(<sup>\*\*</sup>)</u>**<br><u> </u> |
| *Continuing Trustees* |  |  |
| Francine J. Bovich | $4938 | $699700 (69) |
| Joseph S. DiMartino | $8217 | $1090000 (86) |
| Andrew J. Donohue | $6574 | $473700 (40) |
| Bradley J. Skapyak | $6620 | $204700 (18) |

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<u> </u>

____________________

<sup>\*</sup> Amounts shown do not include expenses reimbursed to Trustees for attending Board meetings. Amounts shown also do not include the costs of office space, office supplies and secretarial services, which are paid by the Fund (allocated among the funds in the BNY Mellon Family of Funds based on net assets), which, in 2024, amounted to approximately $243 paid by the Fund.

<sup>\*\*</sup> Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment companies in the fund complex, including the Fund, for which the Continuing Trustee served as a Board member in 2024.

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#### PART II
Part II sets forth information regarding the officers of the Fund. Each officer of the Fund holds office for an indefinite term until the officer's successor is elected and has qualified.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name and Position<br> <u>with Fund (Since)</u>** | **<br> <u>Age</u>** | **Principal Occupation and<br> Business Experience For<br> <u>Past Five Years</u>** |
| **DAVID DIPETRILLO**<br> President (2019)<sup>1</sup> | 47 | Vice President and Director of the Investment Adviser since February 2021; Head of North America Distribution, BNY Investments since February 2023; and Head of North America Product, BNY Investments from January 2018 to February 2023. He is an officer of 46 investment companies (comprised of 86 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser. |
| **JAMES WINDELS**<br> Treasurer (2012) | 66 | Director of the Investment Adviser since February 2023; Vice President of the Investment Adviser since September 2020; and Director – BNY Fund Administration. He is an officer of 47 investment companies (comprised of 103 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser. |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name and Position<br> <u>with Fund (Since)</u>** | **<br> <u>Age</u>** | **Principal Occupation and<br> Business Experience For<br> <u>Past Five Years</u>** |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **PETER M. SULLIVAN**<br> Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and<br> Assistant Secretary (2019)<sup>2</sup> | 57 | Chief Legal Officer of the Investment Adviser and Associate General Counsel of BNY since July 2021; Senior Managing Counsel of BNY from December 2020 to July 2021; and Managing Counsel of BNY from March 2009 to December 2020. He is an officer of 47 investment companies (comprised of 103 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser. |
| **SARAH S. KELLEHER**<br> Vice President and Secretary (2014)<sup>3</sup> | 49 | Vice President of BNY Mellon ETF Investment Adviser, LLC since February 2020; Senior Managing Counsel of BNY since September 2021; and Managing Counsel of BNY from December 2017 to September 2021. She is an officer of 47 investment companies (comprised of 103 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser. |
| **DEIRDRE CUNNANE**<br> Vice President and Assistant Secretary (2019) | 35 | Managing Counsel of BNY since December 2021; and Counsel of BNY from August 2018 to December 2021. She is an officer of 47 investment companies (comprised of 103 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser. |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name and Position<br> <u>with Fund (Since)</u>** | **<br> <u>Age</u>** | **Principal Occupation and<br> Business Experience For<br> <u>Past Five Years</u>** |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **LISA M. KING**<br> Vice President and Assistant Secretary (2024) | 57 | Counsel of BNY since June 2023; and Regulatory Administration Group Manager at BNY Asset Servicing from February 2016 to June 2023. She is an officer of 47 investment companies (comprised of 103 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser. |
| **JEFF S. PRUSNOFSKY**<br> Vice President and Assistant Secretary (2012) | 60 | Senior Managing Counsel of BNY. He is an officer of 47 investment companies (comprised of 103 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser. |
| **AMANDA QUINN**<br> Vice President and Assistant Secretary (2020) | 40 | Managing Counsel of BNY since March 2024; and Counsel of BNY from June 2019 to February 2024. She is an officer of 47 investment companies (comprised of 103 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser. |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name and Position<br> <u>with Fund (Since)</u>** | **<br> <u>Age</u>** | **Principal Occupation and<br> Business Experience For<br> <u>Past Five Years</u>** |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **DANIEL GOLDSTEIN**<br> Vice President (2022) | 56 | Head of Product Development of North America Distribution, BNY Investments since January 2018; Executive Vice President of North America Product, BNY Investments since April 2023; and Senior Vice President, Development & Oversight of North America Product, BNY Investments from 2010 to March 2023. He is an officer of 46 investment companies (comprised of 86 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.<br>|
| **JOSEPH MARTELLA**<br> Vice President (2022) | 48 | Vice President of the Investment Adviser since December 2022; Head of Product Management of North America Distribution, BNY Investments since January 2018; Executive Vice President of North America Product, BNY Investments since April 2023; and Senior Vice President of North America Product, BNY Investments from 2010 to March 2023. He is an officer of 46 investment companies (comprised of 86 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.<br>|

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name and Position<br> <u>with Fund (Since)</u>** | **<br> <u>Age</u>** | **Principal Occupation and<br> Business Experience For<br> <u>Past Five Years</u>** |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **ROBERTO G. MAZZEO**<br> Assistant Treasurer (2024) | 44 | Financial Reporting Manager – BNY Fund Administration. He is an officer of 47 investment companies (comprised of 103 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser. |
| **GAVIN C. REILLY**<br> Assistant Treasurer (2012) | 56 | Tax Manager – BNY Fund Administration. He is an officer of 47 investment companies (comprised of 103 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.<br>|
| **ROBERT SALVIOLO**<br> Assistant Treasurer (2012) | 58 | Senior Accounting Manager – BNY Fund Administration. He is an officer of 47 investment companies (comprised of 103 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.<br>|
| **ROBERT SVAGNA**<br> Assistant Treasurer (2012) | 58 | Senior Accounting Manager – BNY Fund Administration. He is an officer of 47 investment companies (comprised of 103 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Adviser.<br>|

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name and Position<br> <u>with Fund (Since)</u>** | **<br> <u>Age</u>** | **Principal Occupation and<br> Business Experience For<br> <u>Past Five Years</u>** |
| **JOSEPH W. CONNOLLY**<br> Chief Compliance Officer (2012) | 68 | Chief Compliance Officer of the BNY Mellon Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust since 2004; and Chief Compliance Officer of the Investment Adviser from 2004 until June 2021. He is Chief Compliance Officer of 45 investment companies (comprised of 89 portfolios) managed by the Investment Adviser. |

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____________________<br> <sup>1</sup> *President since 2021; previously, Vice President.*<br> <sup>2</sup> *Chief Legal Officer since July 2021.*<br> <sup>3</sup> *Secretary since April 2024; previously, Assistant Secretary.*

The address of each officer of the Fund is 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.

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#### PART III
Part III sets forth information for the Fund regarding the beneficial ownership of its shares as of August 22, 2025 by the Board Nominees, Continuing Trustees and officers of the Fund owning shares on such date and by any shareholders owning 5% or more of the Fund's outstanding shares.

As of August 22, 2025, the Board Nominees, Continuing Trustees and officers of the Fund, as a group, beneficially owned less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding shares.

To the Fund's knowledge, based on filings made pursuant to Section 13D or G of the Exchange Act, as of August 22, 2025, the following information with respect to beneficial ownership of more than 5% of the Fund's outstanding shares has been reported.

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| <br> <u>Title of Class</u> | Name and Address of<br> <u>Beneficial Owner</u> | Number of<br> <u>Shares Owned</u> | Percent of<br> <u>Class</u> |
| Fund Shares | First Trust Portfolios L.P.<br> First Trust Advisors L. P.<br> The Charger Corporation<br> 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400<br> Wheaton, Illinois 60187 | 12391265<br>| 17.04%<br>|

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As stated in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on September 30, 2024.

As of August 22, 2025, Cede & Co., P.O. Box 20, Bowling Green Station, New York, New York 10274, held of record 99.4214% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Fund.

#### Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder, the Fund's officers and Trustees, persons owning more than 10% of the Fund's shares of beneficial interest, and certain additional persons are required to report their transactions in the Fund's shares of beneficial interest to the SEC and the Fund. Based solely on written representations of such persons and on copies of reports that have been filed with the SEC, the Fund believes that, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, such persons complied with all filing requirements applicable to such persons.

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#### EXHIBIT B
**REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE**<br> BNY Mellon High Yield Strategies Fund

May 22, 2025

The Audit Committee oversees the Fund's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Trustees. 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 statements.

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 Trustees (and the Board approved) that the audited financial statements for the Fund be included in the Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended March 31, 2025.

Francine J. Bovich, Audit Committee Chair<br> Joseph S. DiMartino, Audit Committee Member<br> Andrew J. Donohue, Audit Committee Member<br> Bradley J. Skapyak, Audit Committee Member<br> Roslyn M. Watson, Audit Committee Member<br> Benaree Pratt Wiley, Audit Committee Member

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0430-PROXY-0925

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