PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 24 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: December 7, 1998 File No. 333-61437
(To Prospectus dated August 26, 1998
and Prospectus Supplement dated August 26, 1998)
$7,315,045,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
Medium-Term Notes, Series B
With Minimum Maturity of Nine Months from Date of Issue
Principal Amount: $20,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes [_] Certificated Notes [_]
December 9, 1998
Maturity Date: CUSIP#: 073928 FV 0
December 8, 2000
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): *
[_] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Three Months
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[x] LIBOR Telerate
[_] Prime Rate Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: 5.60859%
Index Maturity: Three Months
Spread (plus or minus): +0.37%
* 3/8/99, 6/8/99, 9/8/99. 12/8/99, 3/8/2000, 6/8/2000 and 9/8/2000.
** 3/8/99, 6/8/99, 9/8/99, 12/8/99, 3/8/2000, 6/8/2000, 9/8/2000 and
12/8/2000.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
NYFS04...:\25\22625\0122\2041\SUPN248K.32A
