<PAGE>
PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 75 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: October 10, 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
$10,000,000 [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes Certificated Notes
10/11/1996 [_] [_]
Maturity Date: 10/14/2003
Option to Extend Maturity: No [x]
Yes [_] Final Maturity Date:
Optional Optional
Redemption Repayment Repayment
Redeemable On Price(s) Date(s) Price(s)
------------- -------- ------- --------
* 100% N/A N/A
Applicable Only to Fixed Rate Notes:
- -----------------------------------
Interest Rate:
Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes:
- --------------------------------------
Interest Rate Basis: Maximum Interest Rate: N/A
[_] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate: 3.00%
[_] Federal Funds Rate Interest Reset Date(s): **
[_] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Quarterly
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): ***
[x] LIBOR Telerate
[_] Prime Rate
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: 6.68125% Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
Index Maturity: Three months
Spread (plus or minus): +1.15%
- -------------------------
* Commencing October 11, 1998 and on the 11th of each October, January,
April and July thereafter, the Notes may be called at 100% of the
principal amount in whole but not in part at the option of the Company
on five business days' notice.
** On the 11th of each October, January, April and July during the term
hereof.
*** On the 11th of each October, January, April and July during the term
hereof commencing January 13, 1997.<PAGE>
<PAGE>
**** Interest will accrue for each day during each Interest Payment Period
that three month LIBOR falls within the Rate Band (as defined below);
otherwise, interest will
accrue at 3.00% for such day. The Rate Band for each Interest Payment
Period will be less than or equal to 9.75%. Interest will be
calculated on the basis of a 365-day year.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirement set forth in
the applicable sections of Schedule E to the By-laws of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
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