<PAGE>
PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 24 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: March 30, 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
$15,000,000 [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: 4/7/94 Fixed Rate Notes Certificated Notes
[_] [_]
Maturity Date: 4/4/95
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
[x] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate: N/A
[_] Federal Funds Rate Interest Reset Date(s): *
[_] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Monthly
[_] LIBOR Interest Payment Date(s): **
[_] Prime Rate
Initial Interest Rate: *** Interest Payment Period: Monthly
Index Maturity: Thirty Days
Spread (plus or minus): +.10%
- -------------------------
* 5/9/94, 6/7/94, 7/7/94, 8/8/94, 9/7/94, 10/7/94, 11/7/94, 12/7/94,
1/9/95, 2/7/95 and 3/7/95.
** 5/9/94, 6/7/94, 7/7/94, 8/8/94, 9/7/94, 10/7/94, 11/7/94, 12/7/94,
1/9/95, 2/7/95, 3/7/95 and 4/4/95.
*** The Thirty Day Commercial Paper Rate as of April 6, 1994 plus 10 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.
