<PAGE>
PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 23 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
$17,000,000 [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: 4/4/94 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
[_] 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): -2.18%
- -------------------------
* Daily on each Business Day.
** 7/5/94, 10/4/94, 1/5/95 and 4/4/95.
*** The Prime Rate as of March 31, 1994 minus 218 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.