PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 21 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: February 23, 1998 File No. 333-43565
(To Prospectus dated Janaury 21, 1998
and rospectus 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: $20,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes [_] Certificated Notes [_]
February 26, 1998
Maturity Date:
February 26, 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: 5.61188%
Index Maturity: Three Months
Spread (plus or minus): -0.06%
- ------------------------
* 5/26/98, 8/26/98 and 11/26/98.
** 5/26/98, 8/26/98, 11/26/98 and 2/26/99.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
