PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 23 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: December 3, 1998 File No. 333-61437
(To Prospectus dated August 26, 1998
and Prospectus Supplement dated August 26, 1998)
$7,315,015,162
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 [_] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 12/8/98 Fixed Rate Notes [x] Certificated Notes [_]
Maturity Date: 1/7/2000
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: 5.100%
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):
- ----------------------------------
* On July 7, 1999 and at maturity.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
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