PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 43 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: March 20, 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: $10,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [_] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 04/20/98 Fixed Rate Notes [x] Certificated Notes [_]
Maturity Date: 04/20/2018 CUSIP#: 073928 AB 9
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: 7.00%
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 April 20, 1999 and on interest payment dates thereafter, the
Notes may be called, in whole but not in part, at the option of the
Company on eight days' calendar notice.
** Semi-annually on the 20th, commencing 10/20/98.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
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