PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 21 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: September 10, 1997 File No. 333-31277
(To Prospectus dated August 13, 1997
and Prospectus Supplement dated August 13, 1997)
$5,180,520,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B
WITH MINIMUM MATURITY OF NINE MONTHS FROM DATE OF ISSUE
Principal Amount: $25,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 9/15/97 Fixed Rate Notes [_] Certificated Notes [_]
Maturity Date: 9/15/98
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
[x] Federal Funds Rate Interest Reset Date(s): *
[_] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Daily
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[_] LIBOR Telerate
[_] Prime Rate
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: *** Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
Index Maturity: N/A
Spread (plus or minus): +.125%
- ---------------------------------------
* Daily on each Business Day.
** 12/15/97, 3/16/98, 6/15/98 and 9/15/98.
*** The Federal Funds Rate as of September 11, 1997 plus 12.5 basis points.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
