PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 96 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: May 25, 1999 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
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Principal Amount: $20,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes [_] Certificated Notes [_]
June 7, 1999
Maturity Date: CUSIP#: 073928 JV 6
June 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:
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: Monthly
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[X] LIBOR Telerate
[_] Prime Rate Interest Payment Period: Monthly
[_] CMT Rate
</TABLE>
Initial Interest Rate: ***
Index Maturity: One Month
Spread (plus or minus): +0.00%
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* 7/7/99, 8/9/99, 9/7/99, 10/7/99, 11/8/99, 12/7/99, 1/7/2000,
2/7/2000, 3/7/2000, 4/7/2000 and 5/8/2000
** 7/7/99, 8/9/99, 9/7/99, 10/7/99, 11/8/99, 12/7/99, 1/7/2000,
2/7/2000, 3/7/2000, 4/7/2000, 5/8/2000, and 6/7/2000.
*** The one-month LIBOR rate on June 3, 1999 plus 0 basis points.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.