PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 97 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: May 21, 1998 File No. 333-43565
(To Prospectus dated January 21, 1998
an Prospectus Supplement dated January 21, 1998)
$7,096,595,162
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
$25,000,000 [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes Certificated Notes
May 27, 1998 [] [_]
Maturity Date: CUSIP#: 073928 CH 4
May 27, 1999
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:
Interest Payment Date:
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): Daily
[_] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Daily
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): *
[_] LIBOR Telerate
[_] Prime Rate Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: **
Index Maturity: N/A
Spread (plus or minus): +0.12%
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------
* On the 27th of each August, November, February and at
maturity.
** The Federal Funds rate on May 26, 1998 plus 12 basis points.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
2
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