PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 21 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: May 8, 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: $20,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [ ] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 5/24/2002 Fixed Rate Notes [x] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 5/24/2022 CUSIP#: 073928XB4
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: 7.00%
Interest Payment Date(s): **
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 May 24, 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 November 24, 2002 and on the 24th of each May and November
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.