PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 53 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: February 7, 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: $5,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 2/9/2000 Fixed Rate Notes [ ] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 2/9/2001 CUSIP#: 073928MW0
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:
Interest Payment Dates:
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: Quarterly
[ ] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[x] LIBOR Telerate
[ ] Prime Rate
[ ] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: 6.10% Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
Index Maturity: Three Months
Spread (plus or minus): 0.0%
* 5/9/2000, 8/9/2000 and 11/9/2000.
** 5/9/2000, 8/9/2000, 11/9/2000 and 2/9/2001.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.