BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC
S-3, 1996-05-14
SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES
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    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 1996
                                                      Registration No. 333-

                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                               
                            -------------------

                                  FORM S-3

                           REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                    AND POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENTS UNDER 
                         THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                            
                               -------------

                      THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
           (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

           Delaware                                   13-3286161
 (State or Other Jurisdiction              (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     of Incorporation or                               
        Organization)
                              245 Park Avenue
                         New York, New York  10167
                               (212) 272-2000
            (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
     including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)

                            William J. Montgoris
                          Chief Operating Officer
                        and Chief Financial Officer 
                      The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
                              245 Park Avenue
                         New York, New York  10167
                               (212) 272-2000
                   (Name and Address, Including Zip Code,
      and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
                                 Copies to:

                           Dennis J. Block, Esq.
                         Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
                              767 Fifth Avenue
                          New York, New York 10153
                               (212) 310-8000

 Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the
                                  public:

   From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box.  [_]

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act
of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [x]

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the
following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of
the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
[_]__________

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering.[_]__________

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.[_]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
==============================================================================================================================
                                                              Proposed Maximum      Proposed Maximum
 Title of Each Class of Securities to      Amount to be      Offering Price Per    Aggregate Offering         Amount of
            be Registered                Registered(1)(2)          Unit(3)              Price(3)        Registration Fee (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>                       <C>              <C>                        <C>       
Debt Securities and Warrants  . . . .     $4,500,000,000            100%             $4,500,000,000             $1,551,725
==============================================================================================================================
<FN>
(1)     In United States dollars or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign or composite currencies.
(2)     The amount of Debt Securities and Warrants to be registered is the issue price thereof plus the issue price of any
        Warrants or the issue price of any Debt Securities to be issued upon the exercise of the Warrants and that amount
        also includes any offers and sales of Debt Securities and Warrants in market-making transactions by Bear, Stearns &
        Co. Inc, an affiliate of the Registrant.
(3)     Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
</FN>
</TABLE>

          Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, the
Prospectus included in this Registration Statement is a combined Prospectus
and relates to this Registration Statement and Registration Statement No.
33-63561 previously filed by the Registrant on Form S-3 and declared
effective on December 18, 1995.  This Registration Statement also
constitutes Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No.
33-63561 and such Post-Effective Amendments shall thereafter become
effective in accordance with Section 8(c) of the Securities Act of 1933.

          The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such
date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the
Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that
this Registration Statement thereafter shall become effective in accordance
with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration
Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting
pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.



<PAGE>
<PAGE>


     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT.  A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED
     WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.  THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT
     BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.  THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT
     CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR
     SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH
     OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR
     QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.

                    SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED May 14, 1996

     PROSPECTUS

                              $4,994,795,162

                         THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.

                          DEBT SECURITIES AND WARRANTS

          The Company may issue and sell from time to time, in one or more
     series with an aggregate initial public offering price of up to
     $4,994,795,162 (or the equivalent in foreign denominated currency or
     units based on or relating to such currencies), debt securities ("Debt
     Securities"), consisting of debentures, notes and/or other unsecured
     evidences of indebtedness, and warrants ("Warrants") to purchase Debt
     Securities or to buy and sell government debt securities, currencies,
     currency units, currency indices or currency baskets, stock indices,
     stock baskets, commodities, commodity indices or other indices or
     references.  The Debt Securities and Warrants are herein collectively
     referred to as the "Securities."  The Debt Securities and Warrants may
     be offered independently or together for sale directly to purchasers
     or through dealers, underwriters or agents.  The Company will offer
     the Securities to the public on terms determined by market conditions. 
     The Securities may be sold for, and principal of and interest on Debt
     Securities and the cash settlement value of the Warrants may be
     payable in, United States dollars, foreign denominated currency or
     currency units, in each case, as the Company specifically designates.

          The accompanying Prospectus Supplement sets forth the specific
     designation, aggregate principal amount, purchase price, maturity,
     interest rate (or manner of calculation thereof), time of payment of
     interest (if any), currency or currency units in which payments will
     be made (if other than United States dollars), listing (if any) on a
     securities exchange and any other specific terms of the Debt
     Securities, the purchase price, exercise price, exercise period,
     detachability and any other specific terms of any Warrants and the
     name of and compensation to each dealer, underwriter or agent (if any)
     involved in the sale of the Securities.  The managing underwriters
     with respect to each series sold to or through underwriters will be
     named in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement.  Such underwriters
     (and any representative thereof), dealers or agents may include Bear,
     Stearns & Co. Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

          There are no restrictions in the Indenture (as defined in the
     Prospectus) on the ability of the Company or its subsidiaries to incur
     additional unsecured indebtedness or on the ability of the Company to
     incur additional secured indebtedness except that the Indenture
     restricts the Company from incurring any indebtedness for borrowed
     money that is secured by a pledge of the Voting Stock of any
     Restricted Subsidiary (each as defined in the Prospectus) without
     effectively providing that the Notes and other indebtedness of the
     Company under the Indenture will be secured equally and ratably with
     such secured indebtedness.
                                                            
             -------------------------------------------------------
          THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR
             HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
                SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
                  ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SUPPLEMENT
                       HERETO.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                         CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                                                            
                    ----------------------------------------
          The Securities may be offered through dealers, through
     underwriters or through agents designated from time to time, as set
     forth in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement.  The net proceeds to
     the Company will be, in the case of a dealer, the sales price to such
     dealer, in the case of an underwriter, the public offering price less
     the applicable underwriting discount or commission, and, in the case
     of an agent, the public offering price less the applicable agency
     commission, in each case, less other expenses attributable to issuance
     and distribution.  See "Plan of Distribution" for possible
     indemnification arrangements for dealers, underwriters and agents.

          This Prospectus and the accompanying Prospectus Supplement may be
     used by Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. in connection with offers and sales
     of Debt Securities and Warrants in market-making transactions at
     negotiated prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of
     sale or otherwise.  Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. may act as a principal or
     agent in such transactions.
                                                            
                    ----------------------------------------
                            BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.

                                 _____ __, 1996

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     
          IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OF CERTAIN SECURITIES HEREUNDER,
     THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE
     OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICES OF THOSE SECURITIES, OR OTHER SECURITIES
     OF THE COMPANY, AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN
     THE OPEN MARKET.  SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK
     STOCK EXCHANGE OR OTHERWISE.  SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
     DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
                                                  
                              --------------------

          NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO
     GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE
     CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF
     GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED
     UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER,
     DEALER OR AGENT.  THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL
     OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES BY ANYONE IN ANY
     JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR
     IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED
     TO DO SO OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
     SOLICITATION.

                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

          The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and
     in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other
     information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
     "Commission").  Reports, proxy statements and other information filed
     by the Company with the Commission can be inspected and copied at the
     public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024,
     450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 or at its Regional
     Offices located at the Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite
     1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and 7 World Trade Center, 13th
     Floor, New York, New York 10048, and copies of such material can be
     obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450
     Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. 
     Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company
     can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange,
     20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

          This Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement
     filed by the Company with the Commission under the Securities Act of
     1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").  This Prospectus omits
     certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement in
     accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. 
     Reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and related
     exhibits for further information with respect to the Company and the
     Securities.  Statements contained herein concerning the provisions of
     any document are not necessarily complete and, in each instance,
     reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to
     the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission. 
     Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.

                                       2

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

          The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission
     pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act (File No. 1-8989), are
     incorporated herein by reference: (i) the Annual Report on Form 10-K
     (including the portions of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders
     incorporated by reference therein) for the fiscal year ended June 30,
     1995 (the "1995 Form 10-K"), (ii) the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
     for the quarters ended September 29, 1995, December 31, 1995 and March
     29, 1996 and (iii) the Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated, August 1,
     1995, October 16, 1995, October 25, 1995, December 18, 1995, December
     31, 1995, February 20, 1996, March 29, 1996, April 17, 1996 and April 
     18, 1996.  All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 
     13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date 
     of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of 
     the Securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into 
     this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of 
     such documents.

          Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or
     deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
     modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent
     that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed
     document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference
     herein modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any such statement so
     modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or
     superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

          The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a
     copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request
     of such person, a copy of any or all documents incorporated by
     reference into this Prospectus except the exhibits to such documents
     (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in
     such documents).  Requests for such copies should be directed to
     Corporate Communications Department, The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.,
     245 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10167; telephone number (212) 272-
     2000.
                                                     
                            -------------------------

                                       3

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

                                   THE COMPANY

          The Company is a holding company that, through its principal
     subsidiaries, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. ("Bear Stearns") and Bear,
     Stearns Securities Corp. ("BSSC"), is a leading United States
     investment banking, securities trading and brokerage firm serving
     corporations, governments, institutional and individual investors
     worldwide.  The business of the Company includes market-making and
     trading in corporate, United States Government, government-agency,
     mortgage-related, asset-backed and municipal securities; trading in
     options, futures, foreign currencies, interest-rate swaps and other
     derivative products; securities and commodities arbitrage; securities,
     options and commodities brokerage; underwriting and distributing
     securities; providing securities clearance services; financing
     customer activities; securities lending; arranging for the private
     placement of securities; assisting in mergers, acquisitions,
     restructurings and leveraged transactions; providing other financial
     advisory services; making principal investments in leveraged
     acquisitions; acting as specialist on the floor of the New York Stock
     Exchange ("NYSE");  providing fiduciary and other services, such as
     real estate brokerage, investment management and investment advisory
     and securities research.

          The Company's business is conducted from its principal offices in
     New York City; from domestic regional offices in Atlanta, Boston,
     Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco; from representative
     offices in Beijing, Geneva, Hong Kong and Shanghai; through
     international subsidiaries in Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, London, Paris,
     Sao Paulo and Tokyo; and through joint ventures with other firms in
     Karachi, Madrid and Paris.  The Company's foreign offices provide
     services and engage in investment activities involving foreign clients
     and international transactions.  The Company provides trust-company
     services through its subsidiary, Custodial Trust Company.

          Bear Stearns and BSSC are broker-dealers registered with the
     Commission.  They also are members of the NYSE, all other principal
     United States securities and commodities exchanges, the National
     Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and the National
     Futures Association.   Bear Stearns is a "primary dealer"  in United
     States government securities, as designated by the Federal Reserve
     Bank of New York.

          The Company is incorporated in Delaware.  The principal executive
     office of the Company is located at 245 Park Avenue, New York, New
     York 10167; its telephone number is (212) 272-2000.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

          Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
     Supplement, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale
     of the Securities for general corporate purposes, which may include
     additions to working capital, the repayment of short-term indebtedness
     and investments in, or extensions of credit to, subsidiaries.


                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

          The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was 1.4 for the nine
     months ended March 29, 1996 and 1.2, 1.6, 1.8, 1.6 and 1.2 for the
     fiscal years ended June 30, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992 and 1991,
     respectively.  These ratios were calculated by dividing the sum of
     fixed charges into the sum of earnings before taxes and fixed charges. 
     Fixed charges for these purposes consist of all interest expense and
     certain other immaterial expenses.


                                       4

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     GENERAL

          The following description sets forth certain general terms and
     provisions of the Debt Securities to which any Prospectus Supplement
     may relate.  The particular terms of the Debt Securities offered by
     any Prospectus Supplement and the extent, if any, to which such
     general terms and provisions will not apply to the Debt Securities so
     offered will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
     those Debt Securities.

          The Debt Securities will be issued under an Indenture, dated as
     of May 31, 1991 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and Chemical
     Bank (formerly Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company), as trustee (the
     "Trustee").  A copy of the Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the
     Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part (the
     "Registration Statement").  The following summaries of certain
     provisions of the Indenture do not purport to be complete and are
     subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all
     provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions therein of
     certain terms.

          The Indenture does not limit the principal amount of Debt
     Securities that may be issued thereunder, and provides that Debt
     Securities may be issued thereunder in one or more series up to the
     aggregate principal amount that may be authorized from time to time by
     the Company.  The Company from time to time may, without the consent
     of the Holders of outstanding Debt Securities, provide for the
     issuance of other debt securities under the Indenture in addition to
     the Debt Securities authorized on the date of this Prospectus.  The
     Indenture provides the Company with the ability, in addition to the
     ability to issue Debt Securities with terms different than those of
     Debt Securities previously issued, to "reopen" a previous issue of a
     series of Debt Securities and issue additional Debt Securities of such
     series.  Debt Securities in an aggregate principal amount of up to
     $4,994,795,162 may be offered pursuant to this Prospectus.  As of the
     date of this Prospectus, $9,696,500,375 aggregate principal amount of
     Debt Securities have been issued under the Indenture and are outstand-
     ing.

          Reference is hereby made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to
     the particular series of Debt Securities offered thereby for the terms
     of those Debt Securities, including, where applicable (1) the title of
     the Debt Securities and the series of which those Debt Securities are
     a part; (2) the aggregate principal amount of, or any limit on the
     aggregate principal amount of, those Debt Securities; (3) the date or
     dates on which those Debt Securities will mature; (4) the rate or
     rates per annum (which may be fixed or variable) at which those Debt
     Securities will bear interest, if any; (5) the date or dates on which
     such interest, if any, will be payable and the record date or dates
     relating thereto; (6) the provisions, if any, for redemption of those
     Debt Securities and the redemption price thereof; (7) the sinking fund
     requirements, if any, with respect to those Debt Securities; (8)
     whether those Debt Securities provide for payment in United States
     dollars, a foreign currency or a composite currency; (9) any index,
     formula, basket, individual security, currency or commodity used to
     determine the amount of payments of principal (and premium, if any) or
     interest, if any, on those Debt Securities; (10) the form (registered
     or bearer or both) in which those Debt Securities may be issued and
     any restrictions applicable to the exchange of one form for another
     and to the offer, sale and delivery of the Debt Securities in either
     form; (11) whether those Debt Securities will be issued in book-entry
     form (a "Global Security") or in certificated form; (12) whether and
     under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts
     ("Additional Amounts") relating to specified taxes, assessments or
     other governmental charges in respect of those Debt Securities and
     whether the Company has the option to redeem those Debt Securities
     rather than pay such Additional Amounts, and the terms of any such
     redemption; (13) if the amount of payments of principal of (and
     premium, if any) or interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts in
     respect of those Debt Securities may be determined with reference to
     an index, formula or other method based on a coin or currency other
     than that in which the Debt Securities are stated to be payable, the
     manner in which those amounts will be determined; (14) the provisions,
     if any, for the defeasance of those Debt Securities; and (15) any
     other terms of those Debt Securities not inconsistent with the
     provisions of the Indenture.

          Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus
     Supplement, Debt Securities will be issued only in registered form
     without coupons ("Registered Securities") in denominations of $1,000
     and integral multiples thereof, and in bearer form with or without
     coupons ("Bearer Securities") in the denomination of $5,000.  If


                                       5
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

     Bearer Securities of a series are issued, the federal income tax
     consequences and other special considerations applicable to those
     Bearer Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
     relating to that series.

          Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus
     Supplement, Registered Securities may be transferred or exchanged at
     the corporate trust office or agency of the Trustee in the City and
     State of New York, subject to the limitations provided in the
     Indenture, without the payment of any service charge, other than any
     tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
     therewith.  Bearer Securities will be transferable by delivery. 
     Provisions with respect to the exchange of Bearer Securities of any
     series will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating
     thereto.

          If the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any)
     or any interest on Debt Securities of any series is to be determined
     with reference to any type of index, formula or other method, the
     federal income tax consequences (if material), specific terms of and
     other information with respect to those Debt Securities and that
     index, formula or other method will be described in the Prospectus
     Supplement relating to that series.

          If the principal of (and premium, if any) or any interest on Debt
     Securities of any series are payable in a foreign or composite
     currency, the restrictions, elections, federal income tax
     consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to
     those Debt Securities and such currency will be described in the
     Prospectus Supplement relating to that series.

          One or more series of Debt Securities may be sold at a
     substantial discount below its or their stated principal amount,
     bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance
     is below market rate.  One or more series of Debt Securities may be
     variable rate debt securities that may be exchangeable for fixed rate
     debt securities.  Federal income tax consequences and other special
     considerations applicable to any such series will be described in the
     Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.

          The Debt Securities will be unsecured and will rank pari passu
                                                              ---- -----
      with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the
     Company.  The Company extends credit to its subsidiaries from time to
     time.  Extensions of credit to subsidiaries may be subordinated to the
     claims of unaffiliated creditors of those subsidiaries.  In addition,
     since the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company and
     hence the right of creditors of the Company (including the Holders of
     the Debt Securities) to participate in any distribution of the assets
     of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization, or
     otherwise, is necessarily subject to the prior claims of creditors of
     the subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of the Company itself
     as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized.  Furthermore,
     dividends, loans and advances to the Company from certain of its
     subsidiaries, including Bear Stearns and BSSC, are restricted by net
     capital requirements under the Exchange Act and under rules of certain
     exchanges and other regulatory bodies and by covenants governing
     certain indebtedness of those subsidiaries.

          Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus
     Supplement, the principal of (and premium, if any) and any interest on
     Debt Securities will be payable (in the case of Registered Securities)
     at the corporate trust office or agency of the Trustee in the City and
     State of New York or (in the case of Bearer Securities) at the office
     of the Trustee located outside the United States maintained for such
     purpose; provided, however, that payment of interest other than
     interest payable at maturity (or on the date of redemption, if any, if
     the Debt Securities are redeemable by the Company prior to maturity,
     or on the date of repayment, if the Debt Securities are repayable at
     the option of the Holder thereof prior to maturity) on Registered
     Securities may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed to
     the address of the person entitled thereto or, at the option of a
     Holder of at least $10,000,000 in principal amount of Registered
     Securities, by wire transfer to an account designated by such Holder
     in writing at least 16 days prior to the date on which such payment is
     due.  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus
     Supplement, no payment on a Bearer Security will be made by mail to an
     address in the United States or by wire transfer to an account
     maintained by the Holder thereof in the United States or will
     otherwise be made inside the United States.

                                       6
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

     NOTICES

          Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus
     Supplement, any notice required to be given to a Holder of a Debt
     Security of any series that is a Registered Security will be mailed to
     the last address of such Holder set forth in the applicable Security
     Register.  Any notice required to be given to a Holder of a Debt
     Security that is a Bearer Security will be published in a daily
     newspaper of general circulation in the city or cities specified in
     the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Bearer Security.


     GLOBAL SECURITIES

          The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part
     in the form of one or more Global Securities that will be deposited
     with, or on behalf of, a depositary (the "Depositary") identified in
     the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series.  Global Securities
     may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either
     temporary or definitive form.  Unless and until it is exchanged in
     whole or in part for the individual Debt Securities represented
     thereby, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by
     the Depositary for such Global Security to a nominee of the Depositary
     or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee
     of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any nominee to a successor
     of the Depositary or a nominee of the successor.

          The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to
     any Debt Securities of a series will be described in the Prospectus
     Supplement relating to such series.  The Company anticipates that the
     following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

          Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary will
     credit on its book-entry system the respective principal amounts of
     the individual Debt Securities represented by such Global Security to
     the accounts of institutions that have accounts with the Depositary
     ("participants").  The accounts to be credited shall be designated by
     the underwriters of the Debt Securities, or if the Debt Securities are
     offered and sold directly by the Company or through agents, by the
     Company or those agents.  Ownership of beneficial interest in a Global
     Security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold
     beneficial interests through participants.  Ownership of beneficial
     interest in a Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of
     that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by
     the Depositary's participants or persons that hold through
     participants.  The laws of some states require that certain purchasers
     of securities take physical delivery of securities.  Such limits and
     such laws may limit the market for beneficial interests in a Global
     Security.

          So long as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee,
     is the registered owner of a Global Security, the Depositary or
     nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or
     Holder of the Debt Securities represented by the Global Security for
     all purposes under the Indenture.  Except as provided below, owners of
     beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have
     Debt Securities represented by Global Securities registered in their
     names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
     Debt Securities in definitive form and will not be considered the
     owners or Holders thereof under the Indenture.

          Subject to the restrictions discussed under "Limitations on
     Issuance of Bearer Securities and Bearer Warrants" below, payments of
     principal of (and premium, if any) and any interest on the individual
     Debt Securities registered in the name of the Depositary or its
     nominee will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may
     be, as the Holder of such Global Security.  Neither the Company nor
     the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect
     of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
     ownership interests of a Global Security, or for maintaining,
     supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership
     interests and each of them may act or refrain from acting without
     liability on any information provided by the Depositary.  The Company
     expects that the Depositary, upon receipt of any payment of principal,
     premium or interest in respect of a Global Security, will credit
     immediately the accounts of the participants with payment in amounts
     proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of
     beneficial interest in a Global Security as shown on the records of
     the Depositary.  The Company also expects that payments by
     participants to owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security
     will be governed by standing customer instructions and

                                       7

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

     customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the
     accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name,"
     and will be the responsibility of such participants.  Receipt by
     owners of beneficial interests in a temporary Global Security of
     payments of principal, premium or interest in respect thereof will be
     subject to the restrictions discussed under "Limitations on Issuance
     of Bearer Securities and Bearer Warrants" below.

          If interest is paid on a bearer Global Security, or if no
     interest has been paid but the bearer Global Security remains
     outstanding beyond a reasonable period of time after the restricted
     period (as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations) has ended,
     the Depositary must provide the Company with a certificate to the
     effect that the owners of the beneficial interests in the Global
     Security are non-U.S. persons or U.S. persons that are permitted to
     hold bearer securities under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations.  In
     general, U.S. persons that are permitted to hold bearer securities are
     U.S. persons who acquire the securities through the foreign branch of
     certain U.S. financial institutions and certain U.S. financial
     institutions that hold the securities for resale to non-U.S. persons
     or who hold the securities on their own account through a foreign
     branch.  The certificate must be provided within a reasonable period
     of time after the end of the restricted period, but in no event later
     than the date when interest is paid.  The certificate must be based on
     statements provided to the Depositary by the owners of the beneficial
     interests.

          If the Depositary is at any time unwilling or unable or
     ineligible to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not
     appointed by the Company within 90 calendar days, then the Company
     will issue Debt Securities in certificated form in exchange for all
     outstanding Global Securities.  In addition, the Company (but not a
     Holder) may at any time determine not to have Debt Securities
     represented by a Global Security and, in that event, will issue Debt
     Securities in definitive form in exchange for all Global Securities. 
     In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in the Global
     Securities to be exchanged will be entitled to delivery in definitive
     form of Debt Securities equal in principal amount to such beneficial
     interest and to have such Debt Securities registered in its name. 
     Individual Debt Securities of the series so issued will be issued (a)
     as Registered Securities in denominations, unless otherwise specified
     by the Company, of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof if the Debt
     Securities of that series are issuable as Registered Securities, (b)
     as Bearer Securities in the denomination or denominations specified by
     the Company if the Debt Securities of that series are issuable as
     Bearer Securities or (c) as either Registered or Bearer Securities, if
     the Debt Securities of that series are issuable in either form.  See,
     however, "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities and Bearer
     Warrants" below for a description of certain restrictions on the
     issuance of individual Bearer Securities in exchange for beneficial
     interests in a Global Security.


     LIMITATION ON LIENS

          The Indenture provides that the Company may not, and may not
     permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, issue, incur, assume, guarantee
     or suffer to exist any indebtedness for borrowed money secured by a
     pledge of, lien on or security interest in any shares of Voting Stock
     of any Restricted Subsidiary without effectively providing that the
     securities issued under the Indenture, including the Debt Securities,
     will be secured equally and ratably with such secured indebtedness. 
     The term "Restricted Subsidiary" as defined in the Indenture means
     Bear Stearns, Custodial Trust Company, BSSC and any other subsidiary
     of the Company owning, directly or indirectly, any of the common stock
     of, or succeeding to a significant portion of the business, property
     or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary, or with which a Restricted
     Subsidiary is merged or consolidated.


     MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION

          The Indenture provides that the Company may consolidate or merge
     with or into any other corporation, and the Company may sell, lease or
     convey all or substantially all of its assets to any corporation,
     organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America
     or any state thereof, provided that (a) the corporation (if other than
     the Company) formed by or resulting from any such consolidation or
     merger or that shall have received such assets shall expressly assume
     payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on,
     (and any Additional Amounts payable in respect of) the Debt Securities
     and the performance and observance of all of the


                                       8
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

     covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be performed or observed
     by the Company, and (b) the Company or such successor corporation
     shall not immediately thereafter be in default under the Indenture.

          Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus
     Supplement, the Indenture does not restrict (i) a consolidation,
     merger, sale of assets or other similar transaction that may adversely
     affect the creditworthiness of the Company or a successor or combined
     entity, (ii) a change in control of the Company or (iii) a highly
     leveraged transaction involving the Company, whether or not involving
     a change in control, and the Indenture therefore will not protect
     holders of the Debt Securities from the substantial impact that any of
     the foregoing transactions may have on the value of the Debt
     Securities.


     MODIFICATION AND WAIVER

          Modification and amendment of the Indenture may be effected by
     the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of 66 2/3%
     in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of each series
     affected thereby, provided that no such modification or amendment may,
     without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Debt Security
     affected thereby (a) change the Stated Maturity or the date of any
     installment of principal of, or interest on, any Debt Security or
     change the Redemption Price or the Optional Redemption Price thereof;
     (b) reduce the principal amount of, or the rate of interest on, or the
     amount of any Additional Amount payable in respect of, any Debt
     Security or reduce the amount of principal that could be declared due
     and payable prior to the Stated Maturity of that Debt Security, or
     change the obligation of the Company to pay any Additional Amounts
     (except as contemplated or permitted under the Indenture), or reduce
     the amount of the principal of a Discount Security that would be due
     and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of that
     Debt Security pursuant to the Indenture; (c) change the place or
     currency of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on
     any Debt Security; (d) impair the right to institute suit for the
     enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security;
     (e) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Debt
     Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required to
     modify or amend the Indenture; or (f) modify the foregoing
     requirements or reduce the percentage of outstanding Debt Securities
     necessary to waive any past default to less than a majority.  Except
     with respect to certain fundamental provisions, the Holders of at
     least a majority in principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of
     any series may, with respect to that series, waive past defaults under
     the Indenture and waive compliance by the Company with certain
     provisions of the Indenture.


     EVENTS OF DEFAULT

          Under the Indenture, the following will be Events of Default with
     respect to any series of Debt Securities:  (a) default in the payment
     of interest on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of, any
     Debt Securities of that series when due, which default has continued
     for 30 days; (b) default in the payment of the principal of, and
     premium, if any, on, any Debt Security of that series when due; (c)
     default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when due, in
     respect of any Debt Security of that series; (d) default in the
     performance of any other covenant of the Company contained in the
     Indenture or in the Debt Securities of that series, which default has
     continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in the
     Indenture; (e) default for 10 days after notice as provided in the
     Indenture, in respect of any other indebtedness for borrowed money of
     the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $10,000,000 that
     has been declared due and payable prior to maturity; (f) certain
     events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and (g) any other
     Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of that series. 
     Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default, the Trustee shall
     notify all holders of Debt Securities of such default, unless such
     default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that,
                                              --------  -------
     except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of
     (and premium, if any) or interest on, or any additional amounts with
     respect to, any Debt Security or in the payment of any sinking fund
     installment with respect to any Debt Security, the Trustee shall be
     protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of
     directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors
     and/or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determine
     that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders
     of the Debt Securities; and provided further, that in the case of any
                                 -------- -------
     default of the character specified in clause (d) above, no such notice
     shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. 
     The Trustee or the Holders of 25%

                                       9
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

     in principal amount (or any lesser amount that may be provided for in
     the Debt Securities of that series) of the outstanding Debt Securities
     of that series may declare the principal amount of all outstanding
     Debt Securities of that series due and payable immediately if an Event
     of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of that series shall
     occur and be continuing at the time of declaration.  At any time after
     a declaration of acceleration has been made with respect to the Debt
     Securities of any series, but before a judgment or decree for payment
     of money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a
     majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of
     that series may rescind any declaration of acceleration and its
     consequences, if all payments due (other than those due solely as a
     result of acceleration) have been made and all Events of Default have
     been remedied or waived.  Any Event of Default with respect to Debt
     Securities of any series may be waived by the Holders of a majority in
     principal amount of all outstanding Debt Securities of that series,
     except in a case of failure to pay the principal of, and premium, if
     any, or interest on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of,
     any Debt Security of that series for which payment had not been
     subsequently made or in respect of a covenant or provision that cannot
     be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each
     outstanding Debt Security of that series.

          The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
     Debt Securities of a series may direct the time, method and place of
     conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or
     exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to
     Debt Securities of that series, provided that this direction shall not
     be in conflict with any rule of law or the Indenture.  Before
     proceeding to exercise any right or power under the Indenture at the
     direction of those Holders, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive
     from those Holders reasonable security or indemnity against the costs,
     expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in complying
     with any such direction.

          The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a
     statement as to the fulfillment by the Company of all of its
     obligations under the Indenture.


     DEFEASANCE

          If so established by the Company under the terms of the Indenture
     with respect to Debt Securities of any series that are Registered
     Securities denominated and payable only in United States dollars
     (except as otherwise provided under the Indenture), the Company, at
     its option, (a) will be discharged from any and all obligations in
     respect of the Debt Securities of that series under the Indenture
     (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange
     of Debt Securities of that series, replace stolen, lost or mutilated
     Debt Securities of that series, maintain paying agents and hold moneys
     for payment in trust) on the 91st day after the applicable conditions
     described in this paragraph have been satisfied or (b) will not be
     subject to provisions of the Indenture described above under
     "Limitation on Liens" and "Merger and Consolidation" with respect to
     the Debt Securities of that series, in each case if the Company
     deposits with the Trustee, in trust, money or U.S. Government
     Obligations that, through the payment of interest thereon and
     principal thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money
     in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal (including any
     mandatory sinking fund payments) of, and premium, if any, and any
     interest on, the Debt Securities of that series on the dates such
     payments are due in accordance with the terms of those Debt
     Securities.  To exercise either option, the Company is required to
     deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that (a)
     the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the Holders of the
     Debt Securities of the series being defeased to recognize income, gain
     or loss for United States Federal income tax purposes and (b) if the
     Debt Securities of that series are then listed on the NYSE, the
     exercise of the option would not result in delisting.  Defeasance
     provisions, if any, with respect to any series of Debt Securities may
     be specified by the Company under the terms of the Indenture.


                                       10
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

                             DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

          The following description sets forth certain general terms and
     provisions of the Warrants to which any Prospectus Supplement may
     relate.  The particular terms of the Warrants offered by any
     Prospectus Supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general
     terms and provisions will not apply to the Warrants so offered will be
     described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to those Warrants.

          The Company may issue Warrants for the purchase of Debt
     Securities, Warrants to buy or sell debt securities of or guaranteed
     by the United States or other sovereign states ("Government Debt
     Securities"), Warrants to buy or sell currencies, currency units or
     units of a currency index or currency basket, Warrants to buy or sell
     units of a stock index or stock basket and Warrants to buy and sell a
     commodity or units of a commodity index or basket.  Warrants may be
     offered independently of or together with any series of Debt
     Securities and may be attached to or separate from those Debt
     Securities.  The Warrants will be settled either through physical
     delivery or through payment of a cash settlement value as set forth
     herein and in any applicable Prospectus Supplement.  Each series of
     Warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement (a "Warrant
     Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a bank or a
     trust company, as warrant agent (the "Warrant Agent"), all as
     described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to that series of
     Warrants.  The Warrant Agent will act solely as the agent of the
     Company under the applicable Warrant Agreement and in connection with
     the certificates for the Warrants (the "Warrant Certificates"), if
     any, of that series, and will not assume any obligation or
     relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of those
     Warrant Certificates or beneficial owners of those Warrants.  The
     following summaries of certain provisions of the forms of Warrant
     Agreements and Warrant Certificates do not purport to be complete and
     are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to,
     all the provisions of the Warrant Agreements and the Warrant
     Certificates, copies of which have been filed as exhibits to the
     Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.


     GENERAL

          Reference is hereby made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to
     the particular series of Warrants, if any, offered thereby for the
     terms of those Warrants, including, where applicable:  (1) whether the
     Warrant is for Debt Securities, Government Debt Securities,
     currencies, currency units, currency indices or currency baskets,
     stock indices, stock baskets, commodities, commodity indices or any
     other index or reference as therein described; (2) the offering price;
     (3) the currency, currency unit, currency index or currency basket
     based on or relating to currencies for which those Warrants may be
     purchased; (4) the date on which the right to exercise those Warrants
     will commence and the date (the "Expiration Date") on which that right
     will expire; (5) whether those Warrants are to be issuable in
     registered form ("Registered Warrants") or bearer form ("Bearer
     Warrants"); (6) whether those Warrants are extendable and the period
     or periods of such extendibility; (7) the terms upon which Bearer
     Warrants, if any, of any series may be exchanged for Registered
     Warrants of that series; (8) whether those Warrants will be issued in
     book-entry form (a "Global Warrant Certificate") or in certificated
     Form; (9) United States federal income tax consequences applicable to
     those Warrants; and (10) any other terms of those Warrants not
     inconsistent with the applicable Warrant Agreement.

          If the offered Warrants are to purchase Debt Securities, the
     Prospectus Supplement will also describe (1) the designation,
     aggregate principal amount, currency, currency unit or currency basket
     and other terms of the Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of
     those Warrants; (2) the designation and terms of the Debt Securities
     with which those Warrants are issued and the number of those Warrants
     issued with each such Debt Security; (3) the date or dates on and
     after which those Warrants and the related Debt Securities will be
     separately transferable; and (4) the principal amount of Debt
     Securities purchasable upon exercise of one offered Warrant and the
     price at which and currency, currency unit or currency basket in which
     such principal amount of Debt Securities may be purchased upon such
     exercise.  Prior to exercising their Warrants, holders of those
     Warrants will not have any of the rights of Holders of the Debt
     Securities of the series purchasable upon such exercise, including the
     right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or
     interest, if any, on, those Debt Securities, or to enforce any of the
     covenants in the Indenture.  


                                       11
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

          If the offered Warrants are to buy or sell Government Debt
     Securities or a currency, currency unit, currency index or currency
     basket, the Prospectus Supplement will describe the amount and
     designation of the Government Debt Securities or currency, currency
     unit, currency index or currency basket, as the case may be, subject
     to each Warrant, whether those Warrants provide for cash settlement or
     delivery of the Government Debt Securities or currency, currency unit,
     currency index or currency basket upon exercise.

          If the offered Warrants are Warrants on a stock index or a stock
     basket, those Warrants will provide for payment of an amount in cash
     determined by reference to increases or decreases in such stock index
     or stock basket, and the Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms
     of those Warrants, the stock index or stock basket covered by those
     Warrants and the market to which the stock index or stock basket
     relates.

          If the offered Warrants are Warrants on a commodity or commodity
     index, those Warrants will provide for cash settlement or delivery of
     the particular commodity or commodity index.  The Prospectus
     Supplement will describe the terms of those Warrants, the commodity or
     commodity index covered by those Warrants and the market, if any, to
     which the commodity or commodity index relates.

          Registered Warrants of any series will be exchangeable for
     Registered Warrants of the same series representing in the aggregate
     the number of Warrants surrendered for exchange.  Warrant
     Certificates, to the extent exchangeable, may be presented for
     exchange, and Registered Warrants may be presented for transfer, at
     the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent for that series of
     Warrants (or any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement
     relating to that series of Warrants).  Warrants to buy or sell
     Government Debt Securities or a currency, currency unit, currency
     index or currency basket, and Warrants on stock indices or stock
     baskets or on commodities or commodity indices, may be issued in the
     form of a single Global Warrant Certificate, registered in the name of
     the nominee of the depository of the Warrants, or may initially be
     issued in the form of definitive certificates that may be exchanged,
     on a fixed date, or on a date or dates selected by the Company, for
     interests in a Global Warrant Certificate, as set forth in the
     applicable Prospectus Supplement.  Bearer Warrants will be
     transferable by delivery.  The Prospectus Supplement will describe the
     terms of exchange applicable to any Bearer Warrants.


     EXERCISE OF WARRANTS

          Each Warrant will entitle the Holder to purchase such principal
     amount of the Debt Securities or buy or sell such amount of Government
     Debt Securities or of a currency, currency unit, currency index or
     currency basket, commodity or commodities at the exercise price, or
     receive a settlement value in respect of such amount of Government
     Debt Securities or of a currency, currency unit, currency index or
     currency basket, stock index or stock basket, commodity or commodity
     index, as shall in each case be set forth in or calculable from, the
     Prospectus Supplement relating to that series of Warrants or as
     otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.  Warrants may be
     exercised at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent (or any
     other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating to those
     Warrants) at any time up to 5:00 p.m. New York time on the date set
     forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to those Warrants or as
     may be otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.  After such
     time on that date (or such later date to which such date may be
     extended by the Company), unexercised Warrants will become void.

          Subject to any restrictions and additional requirements that may
     be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, Warrants
     may be exercised by delivery to the Warrant Agent of the Warrant
     Certificate evidencing such Warrants properly completed and duly
     executed and of payment as provided in the Prospectus Supplement of
     the amount required to purchase the Debt Securities, or (except in the
     case in the case of Warrants providing for cash settlement) payment
     for or delivery of the Government Debt Securities or currency,
     currency unit, currency basket, stock index, stock basket, commodity
     or commodity index, as the case may be, purchased or sold upon such
     exercise.  Only Registered Securities will be issued and delivered
     upon exercise of Registered Warrants.  Warrants will be deemed to have
     been exercised upon receipt of such Warrant Certificate and any
     payment, if applicable, at the corporate trust office of the Warrant
     Agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement and
     the Company will, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver
     the Debt

                                       12

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

     Securities purchasable upon such exercise, or buy or sell such
     Government Debt Securities or currency, currency unit, currency
     basket, commodity or commodities or pay the settlement value in
     respect of the Warrants.  If fewer than all of the Warrants
     represented by such Warrant Certificate are exercised, a new Warrant
     Certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of the Warrants. 
     Special provisions relating to the exercise of any Bearer Warrants or
     automatic exercise of Warrants will be described in the related
     Prospectus Supplement.

        LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER SECURITIES AND BEARER WARRANTS

          In compliance with United States federal income tax laws and
     regulations, the Company and any underwriter, agent or dealer
     participating in the offering of any Bearer Security will agree that,
     in connection with the original issuance of such Bearer Security or
     during the restricted period (as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury
     regulations) of such Bearer Security, they will not offer, sell or
     deliver such Bearer Security, directly or indirectly, to a U.S. Person
     or to any person within the United States, except to the extent
     permitted under U.S. Treasury regulations.

          Each Bearer Security, including Bearer Global Securities that
     will not be exchanged for definitive individual Securities prior to
     the stated maturity, will bear on the face of the Security and on any
     interest coupons that may be detachable therefrom a legend to the
     following effect:  "Any United States Person who holds this obligation
     will be subject to limitations under the United States income tax
     laws, including the limitations provided in Sections 165(j) and
     1287(a) of the Internal Revenue Code."  The sections referred to in
     the legend provide that, with certain exceptions, a United States
     taxpayer who holds Bearer Securities will not be allowed to deduct any
     loss, and will not be eligible for capital gain treatment with respect
     to any gain, realized on a sale, exchange, redemption or other
     disposition of those Bearer Securities.  The legend described above
     will also be evidenced on any book-entry system maintained with
     respect to the Bearer Securities.

          As used herein, "United States" means the United States of
     America and its possessions, and "U.S. Person" means a citizen or
     resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other
     entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States,
     or an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States
     federal income taxation regardless of its source.

          Pending the availability of a definitive Global Security or
     individual Bearer Securities, as the case may be, Debt Securities that
     are issuable as Bearer Securities may initially be represented by a
     single temporary Global Security.  Following the availability of a
     definitive Global Security in bearer form, or individual Bearer
     Securities, and subject to any further limitations described in the
     applicable Prospectus Supplement, the temporary Global Security will
     be exchangeable for interests in such definitive Global Security or
     for such individual Bearer Securities, respectively, only upon receipt
     of a "Certificate of Non-U.S. Beneficial Ownership" unless such a
     certificate has already been provided by the Depositary because
     interest has been paid on the Global Security or because a reasonable
     period of time after the end of the restricted period has passed.

          Limitations on the offer, sale, delivery and exercise of Bearer
     Warrants (including a requirement that a Certificate of Non-U.S.
     Beneficial Ownership be delivered upon exercise of a Bearer Warrant)
     will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to those
     Bearer Warrants.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

          The Company may sell the Securities in any of three ways:   (i)
     to underwriters (including Bear Stearns) or dealers, who may act
     directly or through a syndicate represented by one or more managing
     underwriters (including Bear Stearns); (ii) through broker-dealers
     (including Bear Stearns) designated by the Company to act on its
     behalf as agents; or (iii) directly to one or more purchasers.  Each
     Prospectus Supplement will set forth the manner and terms of the
     offering of the Securities covered thereby, including (i) whether that
     offering is being made to underwriters or through agents; (ii) any
     underwriting discounts, dealer concessions, agency commissions and any
     other items that may be deemed to constitute underwriters', dealers'
     or agents' compensation, and (iii) the purchase price or initial
     public offering price of the Securities and the anticipated proceeds
     to the Company from the sale of the Securities.


                                       13
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

          When Securities are to be sold to underwriters, unless otherwise
     set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of
     the underwriters to purchase those Securities will be subject to
     certain conditions precedent but the underwriters will be obligated to
     purchase all of the Securities if any are purchased.  The Securities
     will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be
     resold by the underwriters, either directly to the public or to
     securities dealers, from time to time in one or more transactions,
     including negotiated transactions, either at fixed public offering
     price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.  The
     initial public offering price, if any, and any concessions allowed or
     reallowed to dealers, may be changed from time to time.

          To the extent that any Securities underwritten by Bear Stearns
     are not resold by Bear Stearns for an amount at least equal to the
     public offering price thereof, the proceeds from the offering of those
     Securities will be reduced.  Bear Stearns intends to resell any of
     those Securities from time to time following termination of the
     offering at varying prices related to prevailing market prices at the
     time of sale, subject to applicable prospectus delivery requirements.

          Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus
     Supplement, when Securities are sold through an agent, the designated
     agent will agree, for the period of its appointment as agent, to use
     its best efforts to sell the Securities for the Company's account and
     will receive commissions from the Company as set forth in the
     applicable Prospectus Supplement.

          Securities purchased in accordance with a redemption or repayment
     pursuant to their terms may also be offered and sold, if so indicated
     in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, in connection with a
     remarketing by one or more firms ("remarketing firms") acting as
     principals for their own accounts or as agents for the Company.  Any
     remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if
     any, with the Company and its compensation will be described in the
     Prospectus Supplement.  Remarketing firms may be deemed to be
     underwriters in connection with the Securities remarketed by them.

          If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
     Company will authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit
     offers by certain specified institutions to purchase Securities at the
     public offering price set forth in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant
     to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a
     future date specified in the Prospectus Supplement.  These contracts
     will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable
     Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the
     commissions payable for solicitation of these contracts.

          Underwriters and agents participating in any distribution of
     Securities may be deemed "underwriters" within the meaning of the
     Securities Act and any discounts or commissions they receive in
     connection therewith may be deemed to be underwriting compensation for
     the purposes of the Securities Act.  Those underwriters and agents may
     be entitled, under their agreements with the Company, to
     indemnification by the Company against certain civil liabilities,
     including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by
     the Company to payments that they may be required to make in respect
     of those civil liabilities.  Various of those underwriters or agents
     may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services
     for the Company or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

          Following the initial distribution of any series of Securities,
     Bear Stearns may offer and sell previously issued Securities of that
     series from time to time in the course of its business as a broker-
     dealer.  Bear Stearns may act as principal or agent in those
     transactions.  This Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement
     applicable to those Securities will be used by Bear Stearns in
     connection with those transactions.  Sales will be made at prices
     related to prevailing prices at the time of sale.

          Each distribution of Securities will conform to the requirements
     set forth in the applicable sections of Schedule E to the By-laws of
     the NASD.

                                       14

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

                              ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

          Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
     (the "Code"), prohibits the borrowing of money, the sale of property
     and certain other transactions involving the assets of plans that are
     qualified under the Code ("Qualified Plans") or individual retirement
     accounts ("IRAs") and persons who have certain specified relationships
     to them.  Section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
     of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), prohibits similar transactions
     involving employee benefit plans that are subject to ERISA ("ERISA
     Plans").  Qualified Plans, IRAs and ERISA Plans are hereinafter
     collectively referred to as "Plans."

          Persons who have such specified relationships are referred to as
     "parties in interest" under ERISA and as "disqualified persons" under
     the Code.  "Parties in interest"  and "disqualified persons" encompass
     a wide range of persons, including any fiduciary (e.g., investment
                                                       ----
     manager, trustee or custodian), any person providing services (e.g., a
                                                                    ----
      broker), the Plan sponsor, an employee organization any of whose
     members are covered by the Plan, and certain persons related to or
     affiliated with any of the foregoing.  

          The Company, Bear Stearns and/or BSSC each is considered a "party
     in interest" or "disqualified person" with respect to many Plans,
     including IRAs established with any of them.  The purchase and/or
     holding of Securities by a Plan with respect to which the Company,
     Bear Stearns and/or BSSC is a fiduciary and/or a service provider (or
     otherwise is a "party in interest" or "disqualified person") would
     constitute or result in a prohibited transaction under Section 406 of
     ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, unless such Securities are acquired
     or held pursuant to and in accordance with an applicable statutory or
     administrative exemption.  An IRA that engages in a non-exempt
     prohibited transaction could forfeit its tax-exempt status under
     Section 408 of the Code.

          Applicable exemptions may include the exemption for services under
     Section 408(b)(2) of ERISA and certain prohibited transaction class
     exemptions (e.g., Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 84-14 relating to
                 ----
     qualified professional asset managers, Prohibited Transaction Class
     Exemption 96-23 relating to certain in-house asset managers and Prohibited
     Transaction Class Exemptions 75-1 and 86-128 relating to securities
     transactions involving employee benefit plans and broker-dealers).

          In accordance with ERISA's general fiduciary requirement, a
     fiduciary with respect to any ERISA Plan who is considering the
     purchase of Securities on behalf of such plan should determine whether
     such purchase is permitted under the governing plan document and is
     prudent and appropriate for the ERISA Plan in view of its overall
     investment policy and the composition and diversification of its
     portfolio.  No IRA established with, or for which services are
     provided by, the Company, Bear Stearns, and/or BSSC should acquire any
     Securities and other Plans established with, or for which services are
     provided by, the Company, Bear Stearns and/or BSSC should consult with
     counsel prior to making any such acquisition.  

                                     EXPERTS

          The consolidated financial statements and the related financial
     statement schedules incorporated in this prospectus by reference from
     the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by
     Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
     reports, which are incorporated herein by reference, and have been so
     incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon
     their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

                           VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES

          The validity of the Debt Securities and the Warrants will be
     passed upon for the Company by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (a limited
     liability partnership including professional corporations), New York,
     New York. 


                                       15

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     
                                     PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

     ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

         The following table sets forth all expenses in connection with the
     issuance and distribution of the securities being registered.  All
     amounts shown are estimated, except the SEC registration fee and the
     NASD filing fee. 

       SEC registration fee  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,551,725
       Trustee's fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . .     10,000
       Accounting fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     10,000
       Legal fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . .    200,000
       Blue Sky fees and expenses (including legal fees)     10,000
       Printing and engraving fees . . . . . . . . . . .     20,000
       NASD filing fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     30,500
       Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      7,775
                                                         ----------
                   Total                                 $1,840,000
                                                         ==========

     ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

          Reference is made to section 145 of the Delaware General
     Corporation Law which provides for indemnification of directors and
     officers in certain circumstances.

          Article VIII of the registrant's Restated Certificate of
     Incorporation provides for indemnification of directors and officers
     of the registrant against certain liabilities incurred as a result of
     their duties as such and also provides for the elimination of the
     monetary liability of directors for certain actions as such. The
     registrants Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, is
     filed as Exhibit 4(a) to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No.
     33-49979) filed August 13, 1993.

          The registrant has in effect reimbursement insurance for
     directors' and officers' liability claims and directors' and officers'
     liability insurance indemnifying, respectively, the registrant and its
     directors and officers within specific limits for certain liabilities
     incurred by them, subject to the conditions and exclusions and
     deductible provisions of the policies.

          For the undertaking with respect to indemnification, see Item 17
          herein.


     ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.

        1(a) --Form of Underwriting Agreement.(1)
        1(b) --Form of Distribution Agreement.(1)
        1(c) --Distribution Agreement, including form of Terms Agreement,
                dated November 8, 1991, for Medium-Term Notes ("MTN
                Distribution Agreement").(2)
        1(d) --Amendment No. 1, dated December 4, 1991, to the MTN
                Distribution Agreement.(3)
        1(e) --Form of Amendment No. 2 to the MTN Distribution Agreement.(3)
        4(a) --Indenture, dated as of May 31, 1991, between The Bear
                Stearns Companies Inc. and Chemical Bank (formerly
                Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company).(4)
     4(b)(1) --Form of Fixed Rate Senior Note.(5)
     4(b)(2) --Form of Medium-Term Note, Series B (Fixed Rate).(5)
     4(b)(3) --Form of Medium-Term Note, Series B (Floating Rate).(*)
     4(b)(4) --Form of Medium-Term Note, Series B (Floating Rate
                Extendible).(3)


                                       II-1
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


     4(b)(5) --Form of Floating Rate Note (LIBOR).(6)
     4(b)(6) --Form of Floating Rate Note (CMT).(7)
     4(b)(7) --Form of Note (Common - Linked Higher Income Participation
                Securities).(7)
     4(c)(1) --Form of Warrant Agreement, including form of Warrant
                Certificate, for Warrants to  purchase Debt Securities.(1)
     4(c)(2) --Form of Warrant Agreement, including form of Warrant
                Certificate (for Warrants to be sold separately from Debt
                Securities), for Warrants to purchase Debt Securities.(1)
     4(c)(3) --Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants to purchase other
                securities, currencies  or units.(3)
     4(c)(4) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to AMEX Hong Kong 30
                Index Call Warrants.(8)
     4(c)(5) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to AMEX Hong Kong 30
                Index Put Warrants.(9)
     4(c)(6) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to the Japan Index Call
                Warrants.(10)
     4(c)(7) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to the Japan Index Put
                Warrants.(11)
     4(c)(8) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to the Japanese Yen Put
                Warrants.(12)
     4(c)(9) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to Nikkei 225 Index
                Strike Reset Call Warrants.(13)
    4(c)(10) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to Vantage Point
                Portfolio Call Warrants.(14)
           5 --Opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.*
          12 --Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*
       23(a) --Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.*
       23(b) --Consent of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (included in Exhibit 5).*
          24 --Power of attorney (included in the signature pages to the
                Registration Statement).*
          25 --Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under
                the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Chemical Bank
                (separately bound).*

     ___________________________
         *    Filed herewith
         (1)  Incorporated by reference to similarly numbered exhibits to
              the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-44521 on Form
              S-3.
         (2)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a) to the registrant's
              Registration Statement No. 33-43482 on Form S-3.
         (3)  Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered exhibit
              to the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-48829 on
              Form S-3.
         (4)  Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered exhibit
              to the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-40933 on
              Form S-3.
         (5)  Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered exhibit
              to the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-57824 on
              Form S-3.
         (6)  Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered exhibit
              to the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-50393 on
              Form S-3.
         (7)  Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered exhibit
              to the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-52701 on
              Form S-3.
         (8)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on December 6, 1993.
         (9)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on December 6, 1993.
         (10) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on July 19, 1994.
         (11) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on July 19, 1994.
         (12) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on December 13, 1994.
         (13) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on October 13, 1995.
         (14) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on February 12, 1996.

                                       II-2

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

     
     ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.

         The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

              (a)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
         being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration
         Statement:

               (i)  to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3)
              of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
              Act");

              (ii)  to reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events
              arising after the effective date of this Registration
              Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
              thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
              fundamental change in the information set forth in this
              Registration Statement;

              (iii)  to include any material information with respect to
              the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
              Registration Statement or any material change to such
              information in this Registration Statement;

     provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i)
     and (ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included
     in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
     periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
     Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
     Act") that are incorporated by reference in this Registration
     Statement.

              (b)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
         the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be
         deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
         Securities offered therein, and the offering of such Securities at
         that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
         thereof.

              (c)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
         amendment any of the Securities being registered hereby which
         remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

              (d)  That, for purposes of determining any liability under
         the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report
         pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as
         amended, that is incorporated by reference in this registration
         statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
         relating to the securities offered herein and the offering of such
         securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
         fide offering thereof.

              (e)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under
         the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and
         controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions
         referred to in Item 15 of this registration statement, or
         otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of
         the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
         against public policy as expressed in such Act and is, therefore,
         unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
         against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant
         of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
         person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
         suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
         controlling person in connection with the securities being
         registered hereby, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of
         its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
         submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
         such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
         in such Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
         issue.


                                       II-3

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
     registrant hereby certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe
     that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has
     duly caused this amendment to be signed on its behalf by the
     undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State
     of New York, on the 14th day of May, 1996.


                                    THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.


                                    By:/s/ William J. Montgoris            
                                       ------------------------------------
                                           William J. Montgoris
                                           Chief Operating Officer and
                                           Chief Financial Officer


         We, the undersigned officers and directors of The Bear Stearns
     Companies Inc., hereby severally constitute Alan C. Greenberg, James
     E. Cayne and William J. Montgoris, and any of them singly, our true
     and lawful attorneys with full power to them, and each of them singly,
     to sign for us and in our name in the capacities indicated below, any
     and all amendments to this registration statement on Form S-3 filed by
     The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission, and generally to do all such things in our name and behalf
     in such capacities to enable The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. to comply
     with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all
     requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and we hereby
     ratify and confirm our signatures as they may be signed by our said
     attorneys, or any of them, to any and all such amendments.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
     registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
     capacities and on the dates indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SIGNATURE                                     TITLE                                 DATE
- ---------                                     -----                                 ----
<S>                                  <C>                                         <C>
/s/ Alan C. Greenberg                Chairman of the Board and Director          May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Alan C. Greenberg


/s/ James E. Cayne                   President and Chief                         May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------   Executive Officer (Principal Executive
James E. Cayne                       Officer); Director                    
                                  


/s/ William J. Montgoris             Chief Operating Officer and Chief           May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------   Financial Officer (Principal Financial
William J. Montgoris                 Officer); Director                    
                                  


/s/ Mark E. Lehman                   Executive Vice President; Director          May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Mark E. Lehman




                                      II-4

<PAGE>
<PAGE>


                                     Executive Vice President; Director
- ----------------------------------
Alan D. Schwartz


/s/ Warren J. Spector                Executive Vice President; Director          May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Warren J. Spector


/s/ Michael L. Tarnopol              Executive Vice President: Director           May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Michael L. Tarnopol


/s/ Michael Minikes                  Treasurer; Director                         May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Michael Minikes


                                     Director
- -----------------------------------
E. Garrett Bewkes, III


/s/ Denis A. Bovin                   Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Denis A. Bovin


/s/ Peter D. Cherasia                Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Peter D. Cherasia


/s/ Barry J. Cohen                   Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Barry J. Cohen


/s/ Stephen M. Cunningham            Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Stephen M. Cunningham


/s/ Wendy L. de Monchaux             Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Wendy L. de Monchaux


/s/ Kevin Finnerty                   Director                                    May 14, 1996
- -----------------------------------
Kevin Finnerty





                                      II-5
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


                                     Director
- ----------------------------------
Grace J. Fippinger


/s/ Bruce E. Geismar                 Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Bruce E. Geismar


/s/ Carl D. Glickman                 Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Carl D. Glickman


                                     Director
- -----------------------------------
Thomas R. Green


                                     Director
- -----------------------------------
Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M.


/s/ Richard Harriton                 Director                                    May 14, 1996
- -----------------------------------
Richard Harriton


/s/ Daniel L. Keating                Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Daniel L. Keating


                                     Director
- ----------------------------------
John W. Kluge


/s/ David A. Liebowitz               Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
David A. Liebowitz


/s/ Bruce M. Lisman                  Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Bruce M. Lisman


/s/ Roland N. Livney                 Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Roland N. Livney


/s/ Donald R. Mullen, Jr.            Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Donald R. Mullen, Jr.



                                      II-6
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


                                     Director
- ----------------------------------
Frank T. Nickell


                                     Director
- ----------------------------------
Craig M. Overlander


/s/ Stephen E. Raphael               Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Stephen E. Raphael


/s/ E. John Rosenwald                Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
E. John Rosenwald, Jr.


/s/ Lewis A. Sachs                   Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Lewis A. Sachs


                                     Director
- ----------------------------------
Frederic V. Salerno


/s/ David M. Solomon                 Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
David M. Solomon


/s/ Robert M. Steinberg              Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Robert M. Steinberg


/s/ Vincent Tese                     Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Vincent Tese


                                     Director
- ----------------------------------
Fred Wilpon


/s/ Uzi Zucker                       Director                                    May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Uzi Zucker





                                      II-7
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


/s/ Michael J. Abatemarco            Controller                                  May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------
Michael J. Abatemarco


/s/ Samuel L. Molinaro, Jr.          Senior Vice President-                      May 14, 1996
- ----------------------------------   Finance (Principal  
Samuel L. Molinaro, Jr.              Accounting Officer)  
                                   


                                      II-8

</TABLE>


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  --------------


     Exhibit No.    Description
     -----------    -----------

        1(a) --Form of Underwriting Agreement.(1)
        1(b) --Form of Distribution Agreement.(1)
        1(c) --Distribution Agreement, including form of Terms Agreement,
                dated November 8, 1991, for Medium-Term Notes ("MTN
                Distribution Agreement").(2)
        1(d) --Amendment No. 1, dated December 4, 1991, to the MTN
                Distribution Agreement.(3)
        1(e) --Form of Amendment No. 2 to the MTN Distribution Agreement.(3)
        4(a) --Indenture, dated as of May 31, 1991, between The Bear
                Stearns Companies Inc. and Chemical Bank (formerly
                Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company).(4)
     4(b)(1) --Form of Fixed Rate Senior Note.(5)
     4(b)(2) --Form of Medium-Term Note, Series B (Fixed Rate).(5)
     4(b)(3) --Form of Medium-Term Note, Series B (Floating Rate).(*)
     4(b)(4) --Form of Medium-Term Note, Series B (Floating Rate
                Extendible).(3)
     4(b)(5) --Form of Floating Rate Note (LIBOR).(6)
     4(b)(6) --Form of Floating Rate Note (CMT).(7)
     4(b)(7) --Form of Note (Common - Linked Higher Income Participation
                Securities).(7)
     4(c)(1) --Form of Warrant Agreement, including form of Warrant
                Certificate, for Warrants to  purchase Debt Securities.(1)
     4(c)(2) --Form of Warrant Agreement, including form of Warrant
                Certificate (for Warrants to be sold separately from Debt
                Securities), for Warrants to purchase Debt Securities.(1)
     4(c)(3) --Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants to purchase other
                securities, currencies  or units.(3)
     4(c)(4) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to AMEX Hong Kong 30
                Index Call Warrants.(8)
     4(c)(5) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to AMEX Hong Kong 30
                Index Put Warrants.(9)
     4(c)(6) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to the Japan Index Call
                Warrants.(10)
     4(c)(7) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to the Japan Index Put
                Warrants.(11)
     4(c)(8) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to the Japanese Yen Put
                Warrants.(12)
     4(c)(9) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to Nikkei 225 Index
                Strike Reset Call Warrants.(13)
    4(c)(10) --Form of Warrant Agreement relating to Vantage Point
                Portfolio Call Warrants.(14)
           5 --Opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.*
          12 --Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*
       23(a) --Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.*
       23(b) --Consent of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (included in Exhibit 5).*
          24 --Power of attorney (included in the signature pages to the
                Registration Statement).*
          25 --Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under
                the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Chemical Bank
                (separately bound).*
     ___________________________
         *    Filed herewith.
         (1)  Incorporated by reference to similarly numbered exhibits to
              the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-44521 on Form
              S-3.
         (2)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a) to the registrant's
              Registration Statement No. 33-43482 on Form S-3.
         (3)  Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered exhibit
              to the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-48829 on
              Form S-3.
         (4)  Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered exhibit
              to the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-40933 on
              Form S-3.
         (5)  Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered exhibit
              to the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-57824 on
              Form S-3.


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     

         (6)  Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered exhibit
              to the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-50393 on
              Form S-3.
         (7)  Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered exhibit
              to the registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-52701 on
              Form S-3.
         (8)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on December 6, 1993.
         (9)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on December 6, 1993.
         (10) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on July 19, 1994.
         (11) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on July 19, 1994.
         (12) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on December 13, 1994.
         (13) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on October 13, 1995.
         (14) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the registrant's
              Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities
              and Exchange Commission on February 12, 1996.

     NYFS04...:\25\22625\0122\1324\REG4186V.13A

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED
FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR
ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS
CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY TRUST
COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY TRUST COMPANY AND ANY PAYMENT IS
MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL, SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF,
CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

REGISTERED                                      Principal Amount:
No. FL-001                                      $
                                                CUSIP #073908

                       THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
                          MEDIUM-TERM NOTE, SERIES B
                               (FLOATING RATE)


Original Issue Date:                   Interest Reset Date(s):

Maturity Date:

Interest Rate Basis:                   Interest Reset Period:

Initial Interest Rate:                 Interest Payment Date(s):

Index Maturity:                        Interest Payment Period:

Spread (plus or minus):                Redeemable On and After:

Maximum Interest Rate:                 Optional Repayment Date(s):

Minimum Interest Rate:



<PAGE>
<PAGE>


            THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or
registered assigns, the principal amount stated above on the Maturity Date shown
above and to pay interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the Initial
Interest Rate shown above until the first Interest Reset Date shown above
following the Original Issue Date shown above and thereafter at a rate
determined in accordance with the provisions on the reverse hereof under the
heading "Determination of Commercial Paper Rate," "Determination of LIBOR Rate,"
"Determination of Federal Funds Rate," "Determination of Treasury Rate,"
"Determination of Prime Rate," "Determination of CMT Rate" depending upon
whether the Interest Rate Basis is Commercial Paper Rate, LIBOR, Federal Funds
Rate, Treasury Rate, Prime Rate or CMT Rate as indicated above, until the
principal hereof is fully paid or duly made available for payment. The Company
will pay interest monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually as indicated
above on each Interest Payment Date shown above commencing with the first
Interest Payment Date shown above immediately following the Original Issue Date
shown above, and on the Maturity Date shown above, or, if applicable, upon
redemption or optional repayment; provided, however, that if the Original Issue
                                  --------  -------
Date shown above is between a Regular Record Date (as defined below) and an
Interest Payment Date, interest payments will commence on the Interest Payment
Date following the next succeeding Regular Record Date; and provided, further,
                                                            --------  -------
however, that if an Interest Payment Date would fall on a day that is not a
- -------
Business Day (as defined on the reverse hereof), such Interest Payment Date
shall be the following day that is a Business Day, except that in case the
Interest Rate Basis is LIBOR, as indicated above, if such next Business Day
falls in the next calendar month, such Interest Payment Date will be the
preceding day that is a Business Day with respect to such LIBOR Note. Except as
provided above and in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, interest
payments will be made on the Interest Payment Dates shown above. The "Regular
Record Date" shall be the date whether or not a Business Day 15 calendar days
immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

            The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for,
on the Interest Payment Dates referred to above, will, as provided in the
Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular
Record Date for such interest, provided, however,
                               --------  -------



                                  2
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


that interest payable on the Maturity Date shown above, or if applicable, the
date of redemption (the "Redemption Date") or the date of optional repayment
(the "Optional Repayment Date"), will be paid to the Person to whom the
principal of this Note is payable. Any such interest which is payable, but is
not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date, and may
be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for
the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice
whereof shall be given to the Holder of this Note not less than ten days prior
to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful
manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on
which the Notes may be listed and upon such notice as may be required by such
exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.

            Payments of principal and interest shall be made at the office or
agency of the Trustee maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of America
as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private
debt; provided, however, that payment of interest on any Interest Payment Date
      --------  -------
(other than the Maturity Date or Redemption Date or Optional Repayment Date, if
any) may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed to the address of
the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security
Register, or by wire transfer of immediately available funds, if the registered
holder of at least $10,000,000 in principal amount of Notes entitled to such
interest has so requested by a notice in writing delivered to the Trustee not
less than 16 days prior to the Interest Payment Date on which such payment is
due, which notice shall provide appropriate instructions for such transfer.

            The principal hereof and interest due at maturity will be paid upon
maturity in immediately available funds against presentation of this Note at the
office or agency of the Trustee maintained for that purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York.




                                  3
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


            REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS NOTE SET
FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF, WHICH FURTHER PROVISIONS SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES
HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS IF SET FORTH ON THE FACE HEREOF.

            This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
law of the State of New York.

            This Note is one of the series of Medium-Term Notes, Series B, of
the Company.

            Unless the certificate of authentication hereon
has been executed by Chemical Bank, the Trustee under the



                                  4
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


Indenture, or its successor thereunder by the manual signature of one of its
authorized signatories, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the
Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
duly executed under its corporate seal.

Dated:

                              THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.


                              By:______________________________
                                    President

ATTEST:


______________________________
Secretary

[Corporate Seal]


                          CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

            This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.



                                    CHEMICAL BANK, as Trustee


                                    By:___________________________
                                       Authorized Signature





                                  5
<PAGE>
<PAGE>



                                [Reverse of Note]

                         THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.

                           MEDIUM-TERM NOTE, SERIES B

                                 (FLOATING RATE)



            This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of debentures, notes or
other evidences of indebtedness (herein after called the "Securities") of the
Company of the series hereinafter specified, all such Securities issued and to
be issued under the Indenture dated as of May 31, 1991 (herein called the
"Indenture") between the Company and Chemical Bank, as Trustee (herein called
the "Trustee," which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture),
to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby
made for a statement of the respective rights and limitations of rights
thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities, and
the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and
delivered. As provided in the Indenture, Securities may be issued in one or more
series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal
amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest, if any, at different
rates, may be subject to different redemption provisions, if any, may be subject
to different repayment provisions, if any, may be subject to different sinking,
purchase or analogous funds, if any, may be subject to different covenants and
Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided or
permitted. This Note is one of a series of the Securities designated as
Medium-Term Notes, Series B (the "Notes"). The Notes of this series may be
issued at various times with different maturity dates, redemption dates and
different principal repayment provisions, may bear interest at different rates
and may otherwise vary, all as provided in the Indenture.

            The interest payable on this Note on each Interest Payment Date will
include accrued interest from and including the Original Issue Date or from and
including the last date in respect of which interest has been paid, as the case
may be, to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date; provided, however, that
                                                       --------  -------
if the Interest Reset Dates are daily or weekly, interest payments shall include
interest accrued from and including the next preceding Record Date in



                                  6
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


respect of which interest has been paid (or from and including the Original
Issue Date, if no interest has been paid) to but excluding the Regular Record
Date next preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date, except that the
interest payment at the Maturity Date will include interest accrued to but
excluding such date. Accrued interest from the Original Issue Date or from the
last date to which interest has been paid is calculated by multiplying the
principal amount hereof by an accrued interest factor. Such accrued interest
factor is computed by adding the interest factors calculated for each day from
the Original Issue Date, or from the last date to which interest has been paid,
to the date for which accrued interest is being calculated. The interest factor
(expressed as a decimal calculated to seven decimal places without rounding) for
each such day is computed by dividing the interest rate applicable to such day
by 360, in the case of Commercial Paper Rate Notes, Federal Funds Rate Notes,
LIBOR Notes, Prime Rate Notes and CMT Rate Notes, or by the actual number of
days in the year, in the case of Treasury Rate Notes. The interest rate in
effect on each day will be (a) if such day is an Interest Reset Date, the
interest rate with respect to the Interest Determination Date pertaining to such
Interest Reset Date or (b) if such day is not an Interest Reset Date, the
interest rate with respect to the Interest Determination Date pertaining to the
next preceding Interest Reset Date; provided, however, that the interest rate in
                                    --------  -------
effect from the Original Issue Date to the first Interest Reset Date will be the
Initial Interest Rate as specified on the face hereof. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the interest rate hereon shall not be greater than the Maximum
Interest Rate, if any, or less than the Minimum Interest Rate, if any, shown on
the face hereof. All percentages resulting from any calculations will be
rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one-hundredth of a percent, with five
one-thousandths of a percent being rounded upwards. In addition, the interest
rate hereon shall in no event be higher than the maximum rate, if any, permitted
by applicable law.

            Commencing with the first Interest Reset Date shown on the face
hereof following the Original Issue Date, and thereafter on each succeeding
Interest Reset Date specified on the face hereof, the rate at which interest on
this Note is payable shall be adjusted daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly,
semiannually or annually as specified on the face hereof under "Interest Reset
Date(s)." Each such adjusted rate shall be applicable on and after the Interest



                                  7
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


Reset Date to which it relates to but not including the next succeeding Interest
Reset Date or until the Maturity Date or, if applicable, the Redemption Date or
Optional Repayment Date, as the case may be. The Interest Reset Date will be, if
this Note resets daily, each Business Day; if this Note resets weekly, the
Wednesday of each week (with the exception of weekly reset Treasury Rate Notes
which will reset the Tuesday of each week, except as specified below); if this
Note resets monthly, the third Wednesday of each month; if this Note resets
quarterly, the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December; if this
Note resets semiannually, the third Wednesday of the two months specified on the
face hereof; and if this Note resets annually, the third Wednesday of the month
specified on the face hereof. Subject to applicable law and except as specified
herein, on each Interest Reset Date, the rate of interest on this Note shall be
the rate determined in accordance with the provisions applicable below, plus or
minus the Spread (as specified on the face hereof), if any. If any Interest
Reset Date would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest
Reset Date shall be postponed to the next succeeding day that is a Business Day,
except that in the case of a LIBOR Note, if such Business Day is in the next
succeeding calendar month, such Interest Reset Date shall be the next preceding
Business Day. "Business Day" means (i) with respect to any Note, any day that is
not a Saturday or Sunday, and that, in The City of New York, is neither a legal
holiday nor a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are
authorized or obligated by law to close, and (ii) with respect to LIBOR Notes
only, a London Banking Day. A "London Banking Day" means any day on which
dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank
market.

            The Interest Determination Date pertaining to an Interest Reset Date
will be, if the Interest Rate Basis is Commercial Paper Rate or Federal Funds
Rate, the Business Day next preceding such Interest Reset Date. The Interest
Determination Date pertaining to an Interest Reset Date will be, if the Interest
Rate Basis is LIBOR, the second London Banking Day preceding such Interest Reset
Date. The Interest Determination Date pertaining to an Interest Reset Date will
be, if the Interest Rate Basis is Treasury Rate, the day of the week in which
such Interest Reset Date falls on which Treasury bills (as defined below) of the
Index Maturity specified on the face hereof are auctioned. Treasury bills
normally are auctioned on Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal
holiday, in which case the



                                  8
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


auction is normally held on the following Tuesday, except that such auction may
be held on the preceding Friday. If, as a result of a legal holiday, an auction
is so held on the preceding Friday, such Friday will be the Interest
Determination Date pertaining to the Interest Reset Date occurring in the next
succeeding week. Interest payable hereon will be payable monthly, quarterly,
semiannually or annually (the "Interest Payment Period") as specified on the
face hereof. The Interest Determination Date pertaining to an Interest Reset
Date will be, if the Interest Rate Basis is Prime Rate, the same day as such
Interest Reset Date; provided however, that the rate in effect two days prior to
                     -------- -------
an Interest Payment Date will be the rate in effect for the remainder of such
Interest Payment Period. The Interest Determination Date pertaining to an
Interest Reset Date will be, if the Interest Reset Basis is the CMT Rate, the
tenth Business Day prior to each Interest Reset Date. Unless otherwise shown on
the face hereof, interest will be payable, if this Note resets daily, weekly or
monthly, on the third Wednesday of each month or on the third Wednesday of
March, June, September and December, of each year; if this Note resets
quarterly, on the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December, of
each year; if this Note resets semiannually, on the third Wednesday of the two
months of each year specified on the face hereof; and if this Note resets
annually, on the third Wednesday of the month specified on the face hereof (each
such date being an "Interest Payment Date") and in each case, at maturity or, if
applicable, upon redemption or optional repayment.

            Determination of Commercial Paper Rate. If the Interest Rate Basis
            --------------------------------------
specified on the face hereof is "Commercial Paper Rate," the interest rate shall
equal (a) the Money Market Yield (as defined below) on the applicable Interest
Determination Date of the rate for commercial paper having the Index Maturity
specified on the face hereof (i) as published by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System in "Statistical Release H.15(519), Selected Interest
Rates" ("H.15(519)"), or any successor publication, under the heading
"Commercial Paper" or (ii) in the event that such rate is not published on the
Calculation Date (as defined below) pertaining to such Interest Determination
Date, then as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in its daily
statistical release, "Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for U.S. Government
Securities" ("Composite Quotations") under the heading "Commercial Paper" or (b)
if neither of such yields is published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on such
Calculation Date, the Money Market Yield



                                  9
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


of the arithmetic mean of the offered rates as of 11:00 A.M., New York City
time, of three leading dealers of commercial paper in The City of New York
selected by Chemical Bank as Calculation Agent (or any successor calculation
agent, the "Calculation Agent") on that Interest Determination Date, for
commercial paper of the Index Maturity specified on the face hereof placed for
an industrial issuer whose bond rating is "AA," or the equivalent, from a
nationally recognized rating agency, in each of the above cases, adjusted by the
addition or subtraction of the Spread, if any, specified on the face hereof;
provided, however, that if such dealers are not quoting as mentioned above, the
interest rate in effect hereon until the Interest Reset Date next succeeding the
Interest Reset Date to which such Interest Determination Date relates shall be
the rate in effect on the Interest Determination Date next preceding such
Interest Reset Date.

            "Money Market Yield" shall be a yield calculated in accordance with
the following formula:
                                             D * 360      
                 Money Market Yield = -------------------- x 100
                                          360 - (D x M)

where "D" refers to the per annum rate for commercial paper quoted on a bank
discount basis and expressed as a decimal; and "M" refers to the actual number
of days in the interest period for which interest is being calculated.

            Determination of LIBOR. If the Interest Rate Basis specified on the
            ----------------------
face hereof is "LIBOR," the interest rate shall equal, as specified on the face
hereof, either (a) the arithmetic mean as calculated by the Calculation Agent of
the offered rates for deposits in U.S. dollars having the Index Maturity
specified on the face hereof, commencing on the second London Banking Day
immediately following the applicable Interest Determination Date which appears
on Telerate Page 3750 (or such other page as may replace Telerate Page 3750 for
the purpose of displaying London interbank rates of major banks), as of 11:00
A.M., London time, on such Interest Determination Date adjusted by the addition
or subtraction of the Spread, if any, specified on the face hereof ("LIBOR
Telerate") or (b) the arithmetic mean, as determined by the Calculation Agent,
of the offered rates for deposits in U.S. dollars having the Index Maturity
specified on the face hereof, commencing on the second London Banking Day
immediately following the applicable Interest Determination Date which appears
on the Reuters



                                  10
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


Screen LIBO Page (or such other page as may replace such Reuters Screen LIBO
Page for the purpose of displaying London interbank rates of major banks), as of
11:00 A.M., London time, on such Interest Determination Date, if at least two
such offered rates appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page (or such other page as
may replace such page) ("LIBOR Reuters"); provided, however, that if no such
                                          --------  -------
rate appears on Telerate Page 3750 (or such other page as may replace such page)
or if fewer than two offered rates appear on Reuters Screen LIBO Page (or such
other page as may replace such page), the Calculation Agent shall request the
principal London Office of each of four major banks in the London interbank
market selected by the Calculation Agent to provide a quotation of the rate at
which such bank offered to prime banks in the London interbank market at
approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, on such Interest Determination Date,
deposits in U.S. Dollars having the Index Maturity specified on the face hereof
commencing on the second London Banking Day immediately following such Interest
Determination Date and in a principal amount equal to an amount not less than
U.S. $1,000,000 that is representative of a single transaction in such market at
such time, and such rate of interest hereon shall equal the arithmetic mean of
(a) such quotations, if at least two quotations are provided, or (b) if less
than two quotations are provided, the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 A.M.,
New York City time, on such Interest Determination Date by three major banks in
The City of New York, selected by the Calculation Agent for loans in U.S.
dollars to leading European banks, having the Index Maturity specified on the
face hereof commencing on the second London Banking Day immediately following
such Interest Determination Date and in a principal amount as aforesaid, in
either case, adjusted by the addition or subtraction of the Spread, if any,
specified on the face hereof; provided, however, that if the three banks
                              --------  -------
selected as aforesaid by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned
above, the interest rate in effect hereon until the Interest Reset Date next
succeeding the Interest Reset Date to which such Interest Determination Date
relates shall be the rate in effect on the Interest Determination Date next
preceding such Interest Reset Date.

            Determination of Federal Funds Rate. If the Interest Rate Basis
            -----------------------------------
specified on the face hereof is "Federal Funds Rate," the interest rate shall
equal (a) the rate on the applicable Interest Determination Date specified on
the face hereof for Federal Funds (i) as published in the H.15(519), under the
heading "Federal Funds (Effective)" or



                                  11
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


(ii) if such rate is not so published on the Calculation Date pertaining to such
Interest Determination Date, then as published in the Composite Quotations under
the heading "Federal Funds/Effective Rate" or (b) if neither of such rates is
published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on such Calculation Date, the
arithmetic mean (as calculated by the Calculation Agent) of the rates for the
last transaction in overnight Federal Funds arranged by three leading brokers of
Federal Funds transactions in The City of New York selected by the Calculation
Agent as of 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Interest Determination Date,
in each of the above cases, adjusted by the addition or subtraction of the
Spread, if any, specified on the face hereof; provided, however, that if such
                                              --------  -------
brokers are not quoting as mentioned above, the interest rate in effect hereon
until the Interest Reset Date next succeeding the Interest Reset Date to which
such Interest Determination Date relates shall be the rate in effect on the
Interest Determination Date next preceding such Interest Reset Date.

            Determination of Treasury Rate. If the Interest Rate Basis specified
            ------------------------------
on the face hereof is "Treasury Rate," the interest rate shall equal the rate
for the auction held on the applicable Interest Determination Date of direct
obligations of the United States ("Treasury bills") having the Index Maturity
specified on the face hereof as published in H.15(519), or any successor
publication, under the heading, "U.S. Government Securities-Treasury bills --
auction average (investment)" or, if not so published on the Calculation Date
pertaining to such Interest Determination Date, the auction average rate
(expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as
applicable, and applied on a daily basis) as otherwise announced by the United
States Department of the Treasury, in either case, adjusted by the addition or
subtraction of the Spread, if any, specified on the face hereof. In the event
that the results are not published or reported as provided above by 3:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on such Calculation Date, or if no such auction is held in a
particular week, then the rate of interest herein shall be calculated by the
Calculation Agent and shall be a yield to maturity (expressed as a bond
equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied
on a daily basis) of the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid rates as of
approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such Interest Determination
Date, of three leading primary United States government securities dealers
selected by the Calculation Agent for the issue of Treasury bills



                                  12
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity specified on the face
hereof, adjusted by the addition or subtraction of the Spread, if any, specified
on the face hereof; provided, however, that if the dealers selected as aforesaid
                    --------  -------
by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned above, the interest rate
in effect hereon until the Interest Reset Date next succeeding the Interest
Reset Date to which such Interest Determination Date relates shall be the rate
in effect on the Interest Determination Date next preceding such Interest Reset
Date.

            Determination of Prime Rate. If the Interest Rate Basis specified on
            ---------------------------
the face hereof is "Prime Rate," the interest rate shall equal the rate on the
applicable Interest Determination Date (a) as published in the H.15 (519), or
any successor publication, under the caption "Bank Prime Loan", (b) if such rate
is not published by 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Calculation Date
pertaining to such Interest Determination Date, then the arithmetic mean (as
calculated by the Calculation Agent) of the rates of interest publicly announced
by each bank named on the Reuters Screen NYMF Page (as defined below) as such
bank's prime rate or base lending rate as in effect for such Interest
Determination Date as quoted on the Reuters Screen NYMF Page or such Interest
Determination Date, or, if fewer than four such rates appear on the Reuters
Screen NYMF Page for such Interest Determination Date, the rate shall be the
arithmetic mean (as calculated by the Calculation Agent) of the prime rates
quoted on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by 360 as
of the close of business on such Interest Determination Date by at least two of
the three major money center banks in The City of New York selected by the
Calculation Agent (after consultation with the Company) from which quotations
are requested, or (c) if fewer than two quotations are provided, the Prime Rate
shall be calculated by the Calculation Agent and shall be determined as the
arithmetic mean on the basis of the prime rates in The City of New York by the
appropriate number of substitute banks or trust companies organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof, in each case
having total equity capital of at least U.S. $500 million and being subject to
supervision or examination by Federal or State authority, selected by the
Calculation Agent (after consultation with the Company) to quote such rate or
rates, in each case adjusted by the addition or subtraction of the Spread, if
any, specified on the face hereof; provided, however, that if such quotations
                                   --------  -------
are not available, the interest rate in effect hereon until



                                  13
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


the Interest Reset Date next succeeding the Interest Reset Date to which such
Interest Determination Date relates shall be the rate in effect on the Interest
Determination Date next preceding such Interest Reset Date in each case.

            "Reuters Screen NYMF Page" means the display designated as Page
"NYMF" on the Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other page as may
replace the NYMF Page on that service for the purpose of displaying prime rates
or base lending rates of major United States banks.

            Determination of CMT RATE. If the Interest Rate Basis specified on
            -------------------------
the face hereof is the "CMT Rate", the interest rate will be determined by the
Calculation Agent on each Interest Determination Date in accordance with the
following provisions, in each case, adjusted by the addition or subtraction of
the Spread, if any, specified on the face hereof:

            (a) the CMT Rate will be determined on the basis of the latest rate
displayed at the close of business on the Interest Determination Date on (x)
Telerate page 7055 for "Yields on Treasury Constant Maturities...Federal Reserve
Board Release H.15 Mondays approx. 3:45 EST" (or "EDT" as the case may be) for
U.S. Treasury Securities with a maturity that is the same as the Index Maturity
Specified on the face hereof, or (y) such other page as may replace page 7055,
as provided by the Telerate News Service, for the purpose of displaying rates or
prices that are comparable, as determined by the Calculation Agent (after
consultation with the Company);

            (b) if the information specified in subparagraph (a) above is not
available at that Interest Determination Date, then the CMT Rate for the
applicable Interest Period shall be determined on the basis of the Treasury
Constant Maturity rate with a maturity that is the same as the Index Maturity
specified on the face hereof (or other United States Treasury rate, with a
maturity that is the same as the Index Maturity specified on the face hereof)
published as of that Interest Determination Date by either the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the United States Department of the
Treasury that the Calculation Agent (after consultation with the Company)
determines to be comparable to the rate formerly displayed on Telerate page 7055
and published in the Federal Reserve Board Statistical Release H.15 (519);




                                  14
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


            (c) if the information specified in subparagraphs (a) and (b) is not
available at that Interest Determination Date, then the CMT Rate for the
applicable Interest Period shall be the yield to maturity of the then most
recently issued direct non-callable fixed rate United States Treasury Note with
an original maturity that is the same as the Index Maturity specified on the
face hereof (the "Reference Treasury Note"), such yield to maturity to be
calculated by the Calculation Agent on the basis of the arithmetic mean of the
secondary market bid side prices for such Reference Treasury Note quoted as of
3:00 pm, New York City time (or the closing of the market, if earlier), on that
Interest Determination Date, by (and appearing in the written records of) three
leading primary United States government securities dealers in New York City
selected by the Calculation Agent;

            (d) if the information specified in subparagraphs (a) and (b) above
is not available at that Interest Determination Date and at least three price
quotations for the Reference Treasury Note are not available at that Interest
Determination Date from leading primary dealers in New York City as provided in
subparagraph (c) above, then the CMT Rate for the applicable Interest Period
shall be the yield to maturity of the Reference Treasury Note, as calculated by
the Calculation Agent on the basis of the arithmetic mean of the secondary
market bid side prices for such Reference Treasury Note quoted as of 3:00 pm,
New York City time (or the closing of the market, if earlier), on that Interest
Determination Date, by (and appearing in the written records of) any three
primary United States government securities dealers selected by the Calculation
Agent (irrespective of where such dealers may be located);

            (e) if the information specified in subparagraphs (a) and (b) above
is not available at that Interest Determination Date and the Calculation Agent
is unable to obtain the requisite quotations specified in either subparagraph
(c) above or subparagraph (d) above, then the interest rate on the applicable
CMT Rate Note for the applicable Interest Period shall be the same as the
interest rate on such CMT Rate Note in effect at the opening of business on that
Interest Determination Date.

            The Calculation Date pertaining to an Interest Determination Date
shall be the tenth calendar day after such Interest Determination Date or if any
such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day. The



                                  15
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


Calculation Agent shall calculate the interest rate hereon in accordance with
the foregoing and will confirm in writing such calculation to the Trustee and
any Paying Agent immediately after each determination. Neither the Trustee nor
any Paying Agent shall be responsible for any such calculation. All
determinations made by the Calculation Agent shall be, in the absence of
manifest error, conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Company and
holders of the Note. At the request of the Holder hereof, the Calculation Agent
will provide to the Holder hereof the interest rate hereon then in effect and,
if determined, the interest rate which will become effective as of the next
Interest Reset Date.

            If so specified on the face of this Note, this Note may be redeemed
by the Company on and after the date so indicated on the face hereof. If no such
date is set forth on the face hereof, this Note may not be redeemed prior to
maturity. On and after such date, if any, from which this Note may be redeemed,
this Note may be redeemed in whole or in part in increments of $1,000 (provided
that any remaining principal amount of this Note shall be at least $25,000), at
the option of the Company, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal
amount to be redeemed, together with interest thereon payable to the Redemption
Date, on notice given not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the
Redemption Date. If less than all the Outstanding Notes having such terms as
specified by the Company are to be redeemed, the particular Notes to be redeemed
shall be selected by the Trustee not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption
Date from the Outstanding Notes having such terms as specified by the Company
not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem
fair and appropriate. The notice of such redemption shall specify which Notes
are to be redeemed. In the event of redemption of this Note, in part only, a new
Note or Notes in authorized denominations for the unredeemed portion hereof
shall be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the surrender hereof.

            If so specified on the face of this Note, this Note will be subject
to repayment at the option of the Holder hereof on the Optional Repayment
Date(s). Except as set forth in the next paragraph, if no Optional Repayment
Date is set forth on the face hereof, this Note may not be repaid at the option
of the Holder prior to maturity. On and after the Optional Repayment Date, if
any, from which this Note may be repaid at the option of the Holder, this



                                  16
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


Note shall be repayable in whole or in part in increments of $1,000 (provided
that any remaining principal amount of this Note shall be at least $25,000) at a
repayment price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be repaid, together
with interest thereon payable to the Optional Repayment Date. For this Note to
be repaid in whole or in part at the option of the Holder hereof, the Trustee
must receive not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Optional
Repayment Date (i) this Note with the form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment,"
which appears below, duly completed or (ii) a telegram, telex, facsimile
transmission or a letter from a member of a national securities exchange or the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust
company in the United States of America setting forth the name of the Holder of
this Note, the principal amount of this Note, the certificate number of this
Note or a description of this Note's tenor or terms, the principal amount of
this Note to be repaid, a statement that the option to elect repayment is being
exercised thereby and a guarantee that this Note with the form entitled "Option
to Elect Repayment," which appears below, duly completed, will be received by
the Trustee no later than five Business Days after date of such telegram, telex,
facsimile transmission or letter and this Note and such form duly completed are
received by the Trustee by such fifth Business Day. Except as set forth in the
next paragraph, exercise of the repayment option shall be irrevocable.

            If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall occur and be
continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount
of the Outstanding Notes may declare the principal of all the Notes due and
payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

            The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of 66-2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding of each series affected thereby. The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified
percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at
the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of each series,
to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the



                                  17
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.
Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and
binding upon such Holder and upon future Holders of this Note and of any Note
issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in
lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this
Note.

            Holders of Securities may not enforce their rights pursuant to the
Indenture or the Securities except as provided in the Indenture. No reference
herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or the Indenture shall
alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and
unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note at the time,
place, and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

            As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Note may be registered on the Security
Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Note for registration of
transfer at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Company, and this Note duly executed by,
the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing and thereupon
one or more new Notes, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate
principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

            The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $25,000 or any amount in excess thereof which is an integral
multiple of $1,000. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations therein set forth, this Note is exchangeable for a like aggregate
principal amount of Notes of different authorized denomination as requested by
the Holder surrendering the same.

            No service charge will be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

            Prior to the due presentment of this Note for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in



                                  18
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether
or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such
agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

            All capitalized terms used in this Note and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.




                                  19
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


                                 ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this
instrument, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according
to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM     -     as tenants in common

TEN ENT     -     as tenants by the entireties

JT TEN      -     as joint tenants with right of survivorship and
                  not as tenants in common

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - _______________ Custodian __________________
                        (Cust)                      (Minor)
                              Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

                    ____________________________________________
                                      (State)

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.


                          _____________________________
                            OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

            The undersigned hereby request(s) and instruct(s) the Company to
repay this Note (or portion thereof specified below) pursuant to its terms on
___________, 19__ (the "Optional Repayment Date") at a price equal to the
principal amount thereof, together with interest to the Optional Repayment Date,
to the undersigned at

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
        (Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned.)

            For this Note to be repaid the Trustee must receive at 450 West 33rd
Street, New York, New York 10001, Attention: Debt Operations -- 8th Floor, or at
such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify
the Holder of this Note, not more than 60 days nor less than 30 days prior to
the Optional Repayment Date, this Note with this "Option to Elect Repayment"
from duly completed.




                                  20
<PAGE>
<PAGE>



            If less than the entire principal amount of this Note is to be
repaid, specify the portion thereof (which shall be increments of $1,000) which
the holder elects to have repaid: $_____________; and specify the denomination
or denominations (which shall be $25,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in
excess of $25,000) of the Notes to be issued to the Holder for the portion of
this Note not being repaid (in the absence of any such specification, one such
Note will be issued for the portion not being repaid): $_________________.

Date:_________________        _________________________________________________
                              Note: The signature to this Option to Elect
                              Repayment must correspond with the same as written
                              upon the face of this Note in every particular
                              without alteration or enlargement.

                       __________________________________

                                   Assignment

                      FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned
                      hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

_______________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE OR ASSIGNEE

_______________________________________________________________________________
the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing

_______________________________________________________________________Attorney
to transfer said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of 
substitution in the premises.

Dated:

                                          ________________________________


_______________________________
   (Signature Guarantee)



                                  21


NYFS04...:\25\22625\0122\1324\FRM5076L.130


                           WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES LLP
       A Limited Liability Partnership Including Professional Corporations
                   767 Fifth Avenue   New York, NY  10153-0119
                                 (212) 310-8000
                               Fax: (212) 310-8007


                                   May 14, 1996




     The Board of Directors
     The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
     245 Park Avenue
     New York, New York 10167

     Ladies and Gentlemen:

               We have acted as counsel to The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
     (the "Company") in connection with the preparation and filing by the
     Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission of a Registration
     Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") under the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to debt securities
     (the "Debt Securities") and warrants (the "Warrants") with an
     aggregate initial public offering price of up to $4,500,000,000.  The
     Debt Securities will be issued by the Company, substantially in the
     forms of the drafts incorporated by reference as Exhibits 4(b)(1)
     through 4(b)(7) to the Registration Statement, pursuant to the terms
     of the Indenture, dated as of May 31, 1991 (the "Indenture"), between
     the Company and Chemical Bank (formerly Manufacturers Hanover Trust
     Company), as trustee (the "Trustee"), incorporated by reference as
     Exhibit 4(a) to the Registration Statement.  The Warrants will be
     issued by the Company under Warrant Agreements substantially in the
     forms of the drafts incorporated by reference as Exhibits 4(c)(1)
     through 4(c)(10) to the Registration Statement (collectively, the
     "Warrant Agreements").  The Debt Securities and the Warrants will be
     sold by the Company either (i) directly on its own behalf, (ii)
     pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement substantially in the form of the
     draft incorporated by reference as Exhibit 1(a) to the Registration
     Statement (the "Underwriting Agreement") or (iii) pursuant to one or
     more Distribution Agreements substantially in the forms of the drafts
     incorporated by reference as Exhibit 1(b) and Exhibit 1(c) (as amended
     by Exhibits 1(d) and 1(e)) to the Registration Statement (each, a
     "Distribution Agreement").

               In so acting, we have examined originals or copies,
     certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the
     Registration Statement, the Prospectus that is a part of the
     Registration Statement (the "Prospectus"), the forms of Debt
     Securities constituting Exhibits 4(b)(1) through 4(b)(7) to the
     Registration Statement, the forms of Warrant Agreements

<PAGE>
<PAGE>


     The Board of Directors
     The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
     May 13, 1996
     Page 2

     constituting Exhibits 4(c)(1) through 4(c)(10) to the Registration
     Statement, the form of Warrant Certificate attached as Exhibit A to
     the Warrant Agreements, the form of Underwriting Agreement, the forms
     of Distribution Agreement, and such corporate records, agreements,
     documents and other instruments, and such certificates or comparable
     documents of officers and representatives of the Company, and have
     made such inquiries of such officers and representatives, as we have
     deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter
     set forth.

               In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all
     signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
     originals, the conformity to original documents of documents submitted
     to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the
     originals of such latter documents.  We have further assumed that all
     documents examined by us in the form of drafts will, when executed by
     the requisite signatories thereto, conform in substance and form in
     all material respects to the drafts that we have examined.  As to all
     questions of fact material to this opinion that have not been
     independently established, we have relied upon certificates of
     officers and representatives of the Company.

               Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

               (i)  the Debt Securities, when duly authorized and executed
               by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee pursuant to the
               terms of the Indenture and sold and delivered by the Company
               as contemplated by the Prospectus, as the same may be
               supplemented from time to time, will be legally issued and
               will constitute binding obligations of the Company entitled
               to the benefits of the Indenture in accordance with their
               terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
               fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and
               similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies
               generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general
               principles of equity, including principles of commercial
               reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of
               whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in
               equity); and

               (ii)  the Warrants, when duly authorized and executed by the
               Company, authenticated by the Warrant Agent (as defined in
               the Prospectus) pursuant to the terms of the Warrant
               Agreements and sold and delivered by the Company as
               contemplated by the Prospectus, as the same

<PAGE>
<PAGE>


     The Board of Directors
     The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
     May 13, 1996
     Page 3

               may be supplemented from time to time, will be legally
               issued and will constitute binding obligations of the
               Company entitled to the benefits of the Warrant Agreements
               in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable
               bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
               reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting
               creditors' rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to
               enforceability, to general principles of equity, including
               principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair
               dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a
               proceeding at law or in equity).

               The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the
     State of New York, the corporate laws of the State of Delaware and the
     federal laws of the United States, and we express no opinion as to the
     effect on the matters covered by this letter of the laws of any other
     jurisdiction.

               We consent to the use of this letter as an exhibit to the
     Registration Statement and to any and all references to our firm in
     the Prospectus.

               We further consent to the use of this letter as an exhibit
     to applications to the securities commissioners of various states of
     the United States for registration or qualification of the Debt
     Securities and the Warrants under the securities laws of such states.

               The opinions expressed herein are rendered solely for your
     benefit in connection with the transactions described herein.  Those
     opinions may not be used or relied upon by any other person nor may
     this letter or any copies thereof be furnished to a third party, filed
     with a governmental agency, quoted, cited or otherwise referred to
     without our prior written consent except as noted above.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES LLP


     NYFS04...:\25\22625\0122\1324\LTR4236L.110

                                                                    EXHIBIT 12
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
         STATEMENT RE COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                        (In thousands, except for ratio)




                                  (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)
                                  Nine Months    Nine Months    Fiscal Year   Fiscal Year   Fiscal Year   Fiscal Year   Fiscal Year
                                     Ended         Ended          Ended         Ended          Ended        Ended         Ended
                                 March 29, 1996 March 31, 1995 June 30, 1995 June 30, 1994 June 30, 1993 June 30, 1992 June 30, 1991
                                 -------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S>                                <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>          <C>
Earnings before provision
    for income taxes               $  559,106     $  243,755    $  388,082    $  642,799     $  614,398    $  507,625   $  229,501
                                   ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------    ----------   ----------


Added Fixed Charges:
    Interest                        1,463,102      1,214,021     1,678,515     1,023,866        710,086       834,859    1,141,029
 
    Interest factor in rent            19,301         18,264        24,594        21,772         20,874        20,084       18,715
                                   ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------    ----------   ----------

    Total Fixed Charges             1,482,403      1,232,285     1,703,109     1,045,638        730,170       855,733    1,159,744
                                   ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------    ----------   ----------

Earnings before fixed charges
    and provision for income taxes $2,041,509     $1,476,040    $2,091,191    $1,688,437     $1,344,568    $1,363,358   $1,389,245
                                   ==========     ==========    ==========    ==========     ==========    ==========   ==========


Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges        1.4            1.2           1.3           1.6            1.8           1.6          1.2
                                   ==========     ==========    ==========    ==========     ==========    ==========   ==========

</TABLE>




                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

               We consent to the incorporation by reference in this
     Registration Statement of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. on Form S-3
     of our reports dated August 25, 1995, appearing in and incorporated by
     reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Bear Stearns
     Companies Inc. for the year ended June 30, 1995 and to the reference
     to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is a part
     of this Registration Statement.


     DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

     New York, New York
     May 10, 1995



     NYFS04...:\25\22625\0122\2322\CON0205L.36B


       -------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549
                            -------------------------

                                    FORM T-1

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                    UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF
                   A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                   -------------------------------------------

               CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF
                A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ________

                    ----------------------------------------

                                  CHEMICAL BANK
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

NEW YORK                                                             13-4994650
(State of incorporation                                        (I.R.S. employer
if not a national bank)                                     identification No.)

270 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK                                                     10017
(Address of principal executive offices)                            (Zip Code)

                               William H. McDavid
                                 General Counsel
                                 270 Park Avenue
                            New York, New York 10017
                               Tel: (212) 270-2611
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
                  ---------------------------------------------
                         THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE                                                             13-3286161
(State or other jurisdiction of                                (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                              identification No.)

245 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK                                                     10167
(Address of principal executive offices)                            (Zip Code)

                   -------------------------------------------
                                 DEBT SECURITIES
                       (Title of the indenture securities)
              -----------------------------------------------------



<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                     GENERAL

Item 1.        General Information.

               Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

               (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising
                    authority to which it is subject. New York State Banking
                    Department, State House, Albany, New York 12110. Board of
                    Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C.,
                    20551 Federal Reserve Bank of New York, District No. 2, 33
                    Liberty Street, New York, N.Y. Federal Deposit Insurance
                    Corporation, Washington, D.C., 20429.


               (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

                      Yes.


Item 2.        Affiliations with the Obligor.

               If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each
               such affiliation.

               None.





                                       2


<PAGE>
<PAGE>


Item 16.          List of Exhibits

                  List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of
Eligibility.

                  1. A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee as now
in effect, including the Organization Certificate and the Certificates of
Amendment dated February 17, 1969, August 31, 1977, December 31, 1980, September
9, 1982, February 28, 1985 and December 2, 1991 (see Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed
in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by
reference).

                  2. A copy of the Certificate of Authority of the Trustee to
Commence Business (see Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed in connection with
Registration Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference).

                  3. None, authorization to exercise corporate trust powers
being contained in the documents identified above as Exhibits 1 and 2.

                  4. A copy of the existing By-Laws of the Trustee (see Exhibit
4 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration Statement No. 33-84460,
which is incorporated by reference).

                  5. Not applicable.

                  6. The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of
the Act (see Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed in connection with Registration
Statement No. 33-50010, which is incorporated by reference).

                  7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee,
published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining
authority.

                  8. Not applicable.

                  9. Not applicable.

                                    SIGNATURE

                  Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, the Trustee, Chemical Bank, a corporation organized and existing under the
laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in
the City of New York and State of New York, on the 22ND day of APRIL, 1996.

                                             CHEMICAL BANK

                                             By /s/Anne G. Brenner
                                                ---------------------------
                                                   Anne G. Brenner
                                                   Vice President

                                      - 3 -
                                       
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                              Exhibit 7 to Form T-1


                                Bank Call Notice

                             RESERVE DISTRICT NO. 2
                       CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION OF

                                  Chemical Bank
                  of 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017
                     and Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
                     a member of the Federal Reserve System,

                 at the close of business December 31, 1995, in accordance with
         a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to
         the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.


                                                                 Dollar Amounts
                                ASSETS                             In Millions


Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
        Noninterest-bearing balances and
        currency and coin .................................        $  6,390
        Interest-bearing balances .........................            2544
Securities:  ..............................................
Held to maturity securities................................           3,807
Available for sale securities..............................          26,522
Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under
        agreements to resell in domestic offices of the
        bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,
        and in IBF's:
        Federal funds sold ................................             750
        Securities purchased under agreements to resell ...             259
Loans and lease financing receivables:
        Loans and leases, net of unearned income  $72,938
        Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses   1,917
        Less: Allocated transfer risk reserve ...     104
                                                  -------
        Loans and leases, net of unearned income,
        allowance, and reserve ............................          70,917
Trading Assets ............................................          27,963
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized
        leases)............................................           1,355
Other real estate owned ...................................              21
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and
        associated companies...............................             171
Customer's liability to this bank on acceptances
        outstanding .......................................           1,166
Intangible assets .........................................             433
Other assets ..............................................           4,822
                                                                      -----

TOTAL ASSETS ..............................................        $147,120
                                                                   ========


                                      - 4 -
<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                                   LIABILITIES


Deposits
        In domestic offices ................................       $47,524
        Noninterest-bearing .........................$17,041
        Interest-bearing ............................ 30,483
                                                      ------
        In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,
        and IBF's ..........................................        37,690
Noninterest-bearing .................................$   147
        Interest-bearing ............................ 37,543
                                                     -------
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agree-
ments to repurchase in omestic offices of the bank and
        of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBF's
        Federal funds purchased ............................         9,384
        Securities sold under agreements to repurchase .....         2,166
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury ...................           741
Trading liabilities ........................................        21,847
Other Borrowed money:
        With original maturity of one year or less .........         9,669
With original maturity of more than one year ...............           146
Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized
        leases .............................................            14
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding....         1,180
Subordinated notes and debentures ..........................         3,411
Other liabilities ..........................................         5,290

TOTAL LIABILITIES ..........................................       139,062
                                                                   -------


                                 EQUITY CAPITAL

Common stock ...............................................           620
Surplus ....................................................         4,665
Undivided profits and capital reserves .....................         3,055
Net unrealized holding gains (Losses)
on available-for-sale securities ...........................          (290)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments ........             8

TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL .......................................         8,058
                                                                    ------
TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-LIFE PREFERRED
       STOCK AND EQUITY CAPITAL ............................      $147,120
                                                                  ========


I, Joseph L. Sclafani, S.V.P. & Controller of the above-named bank, do hereby
declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the
instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true
to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                               JOSEPH L. SCLAFANI


We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us, and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.


                                WALTER V. SHIPLEY       )
                                EDWARD D. MILLER        )DIRECTORS
                                WILLIAM B. HARRISON     )



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