<PAGE>
PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 33 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: July 25 1996 File No. 333-03685
(To Prospectus dated May 23, 1996
and Prospectus Supplement dated May 23, 1996)
$4,954,795,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B
WITH MINIMUM MATURITY OF NINE MONTHS FROM DATE OF ISSUE
Principal Amount: Floating Rate Notes Book Entry Notes
$5,000,000 [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes Certificated Notes
07/30/96 [_] [_]
Maturity Date: 07/30/97
Option to Extend Maturity: No [x]
Yes [_] Final Maturity Date:
Optional Optional
Redemption Repayment Repayment
Redeemable On Price(s) Date(s) Price(s)
------------- -------- ------- --------
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Applicable Only to Fixed Rate Notes:
- -----------------------------------
Interest Rate:
Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes:
- --------------------------------------
Interest Rate Basis: Maximum Interest Rate: N/A
[_] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate: N/A
[_] Federal Funds Rate Interest Reset Date(s): *
[x] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Weekly
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[_] LIBOR Telerate
[_] Prime Rate
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: *** Interest Payment Period:
Quarterly
Index Maturity: Three months
Spread (plus or minus): +.35%
- -------------------------
* On Tuesday of each week, or the day following the Treasury auction.
** 10/30/97, 01/30/97, 04/30/97 and 07/30/97.
*** The Three Month Treasury Rate as of July 29, 1996 plus 35 basis
points.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in the
applicable sections of Schedule E to the By-laws of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
NYFS04...:\25\22625\0122\1773\FFF5286R.47B