PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 29 Rule 424(b)(3) DATED: August 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: $25,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [X] Book Entry Notes [X] Original Issue Date: 8/6/2002 Fixed Rate Notes [_] Certificated Notes [_] Maturity Date: 9/5/2003 CUSIP#: 073928XK4 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 N/A Applicable Only to Fixed Rate Notes: Interest Rate: Interest Payment Dates: Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes: Interest Rate Basis: Maximum Interest Rate: N/A [_] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate: N/A [_] Federal Funds Effective Rate [_] Federal Funds Open Rate Interest Reset Date(s): Daily [_] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Daily [_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): * [_] LIBOR Telerate [X] Prime Rate + [_] CMT Rate Initial Interest Rate: 1.88% Interest Payment Period: Quarterly and at Matruity Index Maturity: N/A Spread (plus or minus): -2.87% + Prime Rate as reported on Telerate Page 5 under the heading "Bank Rates/Prime." * On the 5th of September, December, March, June and at Maturity. The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule 2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.