PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 44 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: January 14, 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
Principal Amount: Floating Rate Notes Book Entry Notes
$30,000,000 [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes Certificated Notes
January 15, 1999 [_] [_]
Maturity Date: CUSIP#: 073928 GR 8
January 18, 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
Initial Interest Rate: 5.1000%
Index Maturity: One Month
Spread (plus or minus): +0.10%
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NYFS04...:\25\22625\0122\2041\SUP1149U.50A
<PAGE>
* A. 2/18/99, 3/18/99, 4/19/99, 5/18/99, 6/18/99, 7/19/99,
8/18/99, 9/20/99, 10/18/99, 11/18/99, 12/20/99 and
1/18/00.
** B. 2/18/99, 3/18/99, 4/18/99, 5/18/99, 6/18/99, 7/19/99,
8/18/99, 9/20/99, 10/18/99, 11/18/99, 12/20/99, 1/18/00
and 2/18/00.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
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