PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 17 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: February 18, 1998 File No. 333-43565
(To Prospectus dated January 21, 1998
and 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
February 24, 1998 [_] [_]
Maturity Date:
February 24, 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:
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): *
[x] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Monthly
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[_] LIBOR Telerate
[_] Prime Rate Interest Payment Period: Monthly
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: ***
Index Maturity: 3 months
Spread (plus or minus): +0.50%
- ---------------------
<PAGE>
* Weekly on each Tuesday, or the day following the Treasury
auction.
** 5/24/98, 8/24/98, 11/24/98 and 2/24/99.
*** The three-month Treasury rate on February 23, 1998 plus 50
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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