PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 17 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: April 1, 2002 File No. 333-76894
(To Prospectus dated January 25, 2002,
and Prospectus Supplement dated January 25, 2002)
$10,006,693,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
Medium-Term Notes, Series B
Principal Amount: $10,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [ ] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 4/18/2002 Fixed Rate Notes [x] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 4/18/2022 CUSIP#: 073928WX7
Option to Extend Maturity: No [x]
Yes [ ] Final Maturity Date:
Optional Optional
Redemption Repayment Repayment
Redeemable On Price(s) Date(s) Price(s)
------------- -------------- ------------- -----------
* N/A N/A N/A
Applicable Only to Fixed Rate Notes:
-----------------------------------
Interest Rate: 7.10%
Interest Payment Dates:**
Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes:
--------------------------------------
Interest Rate Basis: Maximum Interest Rate:
[ ] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate:
[ ] Federal Funds Effective Rate
[ ] Federal Funds Open Rate Interest Reset Date(s):
[ ] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period:
[ ] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s):
[ ] LIBOR Telerate
[ ] Prime Rate
[ ] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: Interest Payment Period:
Index Maturity:
Spread (plus or minus):
* Commencing April 18, 2006 and on the interest payment dates thereafter
until Maturity, the Notes may be called in whole at par at the option of
the Company on ten calendar days notice.
** Commencing May 18, 2002 and on the 18th of each month thereafter until
Maturity or until the Notes are called.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.