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PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 74 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: October 9, 1996 File No. 333-03685
(To Prospectus dated May 23, 1996
and Prospectus Supplement dated May 23, 1996)
$4,954,795,162
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
$35,000,000 [_] [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes Certificated Notes
10/28/96 [x] [_]
Maturity Date: 10/28/2011
Option to Extend Maturity: No [x]
Yes [_] Final Maturity Date:
Optional Optional
Redemption Repayment Repayment
Redeemable On Price(s) Date(s) Price(s)
------------- -------- ------- --------
* 100% N/A N/A
Applicable Only to Fixed Rate Notes:
- -----------------------------------
Interest Rate: 8.00%
Interest Payment Dates: **
Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes:
- --------------------------------------
Interest Rate Basis: Maximum Interest Rate:
[_] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate:
[_] Federal Funds 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 October 28, 1997 and on the 28th of April and October in
each year thereafter, the Notes may be called at 100% of the principal
amount, in whole but not in part, at the option of the Company on five
days notice.
** The 28th of April and October in each year, commencing 04/28/97.
The Notes will be issued at prevailing market rates.
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.
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