PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 17 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: November 17, 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: $50,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes [_] Certificated Notes [_]
November 19, 1998
Maturity Date: CUSIP#: 073928 FN 8
November 19, 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): *
[_] 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: 5.74907%
Index Maturity: Three Months
Spread (plus or minus): +0.35%
- -------------------------------------------
* 2/19/99, 5/19/99 and 8/19/99.
** 2/19/99, 5/19/99, 8/19/99 and 11/19/99.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
NYFS04...:\25\22625\0122\2041\SUPN188N.580