PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 78 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: November 20, 1997 File No. 333-31277
(To 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: $5,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [_] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 11/20/97 Fixed Rate Notes [x] Certificated Notes [_]
Maturity Date: 11/20/98
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: 5.900%
Interest Payment Dates: *
Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes:
- --------------------------------------
Interest Rate Basis: Maximum Interest Rate:
[_] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate:
[_] Federal Funds Rate Interest Reset Date(s):
[_] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period:
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s):
[_] LIBOR Telerate
[_] Prime Rate
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: Interest Payment Period:
Index Maturity:
Spread (plus or minus):
- --------------------------------------------
* 5/20/98 and 11/20/98.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
NYFS04...:\25\22625\0122\2041\SUPN107L.01B
