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PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 17 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: March 14, 1994 File No. 33-51733
(To Prospectus dated January 7, 1994
and Prospectus Supplement dated January 7, 1994)
$1,500,945,000
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B
WITH MINIMUM MATURITY OF NINE MONTHS FROM DATE OF ISSUE
Principal Amount: Floating Rate Notes Book Entry Notes
$20,000,000 [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes Certificated Notes
3/21/94 [_] [_]
Maturity Date: 3/21/95
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:
Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes:
- --------------------------------------
Interest Rate Basis: Maximum Interest Rate: N/A
[_] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate: N/A
[_] Federal Funds Rate Interest Reset Date(s): *
[_] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Daily
[_] LIBOR Interest Payment Date(s): **
[x] Prime Rate
Initial Interest Rate: *** Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
Index Maturity: N/A
Spread (plus or minus): -2.12%
- -------------------------
* Daily on each Business Day.
** 6/21/94, 9/21/94, 12/21/94 and 3/21/95.
*** The Prime Rate as of March 21, 1994 minus 212 basis points.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in the
applicable sections of Schedule E to the By-laws of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
