PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 96 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: January 5, 1998 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 [_] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 1/05/98 Fixed Rate Notes [x] Certificated Notes [_]
Maturity Date: 1/05/2018
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
Applicable Only to Fixed Rate Notes:
- -----------------------------------
Interest Rate: 0.00%
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):
- --------------------------------------
* Commencing January 5, 1999 and on semi-annual dates thereafter, the
Notes may be called, in whole but not in part, at varying prices (see
Schedule A below) at the option of the Company on nine days' calendar
notice.
** At maturity or call.
<PAGE>
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
SCHEDULE A
Year 0: 20.6296% Year 10.5: 47.2480%
Year 1: 22.3237% Year 11: 49.1497%
Year 1.5 23.2222% Year 11.5: 51.1280%
Year 2: 24.1569% Year 12: 53.1859%
Year 2.5: 25.1293% Year 12.5: 55.3266%
Year 3: 26.1407% Year 13: 57.5535%
Year 3.5 27.1929% Year 13.5: 59.8700%
Year 4: 28.2874% Year 14: 62.2798%
Year 4.5: 29.4260% Year 14.5: 64.7866%
Year 5: 30.6103% Year 15: 67.3942%
Year 5.5: 31.8424% Year 15.5 70.1069%
Year 6: 33.1241% Year 16: 72.9287%
Year 6.5: 34.4573% Year 16.5: 75.8640%
Year 7: 35.8442% Year 17: 78.9176%
Year 7.5: 37.2870% Year 17.5: 82.0940%
Year 8: 38.7878% Year 18: 85.3983%
Year 8.5: 40.3490% Year 18.5: 88.8356%
Year 9: 41.9730% Year 19: 92.4112%
Year 9.5: 43.6624% Year 19.5: 96.1307%
Year 10: 45.4198% Year 20: 100.000%
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