PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 44 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: January 14, 2000 File No. 333-83049
(To Prospectus dated August 9, 1999
and Prospectus Supplement dated August 9, 1999)
$7,878,183,000
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B
Principal Amount: $10,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [ ] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 1/20/2000 Fixed Rate Notes [x] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 1/19/2001 CUSIP#: 073928ML4
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: 6.550%
Interest Payment Dates: July 19, 2000 and January 19, 2001.
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):
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.