SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 22, 2000
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THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE File No. 1-8989 13-3286161
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(State or other (Commission File (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Number) Identification
incorporation) Number)
245 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10167
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(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 272-2000
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Not Applicable
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(former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Item 5. Other Events
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Filed herewith are copies of:
(a) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft as to legality of the
Floating Rate Global Notes due 2003 to be issued by The Bear
Stearns Companies Inc. (the "Company");
(b) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft as to certain federal
income tax consequences described in the Prospectus Supplement,
dated March 22, 2000, to the Prospectus, dated March 17, 2000,
included in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by the
Company (Registration No. 333-31980).
(c) Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
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(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired:
Not applicable.
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information:
Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits:
The following exhibits are incorporated by reference into the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-31980) as
exhibits to such Registration Statement:
5(a) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft as to legality of the
Floating Rate Global Notes due 2003 to be issued by the Company.
8(a) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft as to certain federal
income tax consequences (Included in Exhibit 5(a)).
23(c) Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft (Included in
Exhibit 5(a)).
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
By: /s/ Marshall J Levinson
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Marshall J Levinson
Controller and Assistant Secretary
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Dated: March 29, 2000
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THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit No. Description
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5(a) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft as to legality of the
Floating Rate Global Notes due 2003 to be issued by The Bear
Stearns Companies Inc.
8(a) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft as to certain
federal income tax consequences (Included in Exhibit 5(a).
23(c) Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft (Included in Exhibit
5(a)).
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[LETTERHEAD OF CADWALADER, WICKERSHAM & TAFT]
March 29, 2000
The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
245 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10167
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to The Bear Stearns Companies Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation of the
Prospectus Supplement, dated March 22, 2000 (the "Prospectus Supplement"), to
the Prospectus, dated March 17, 2000 (the "Prospectus"), relating to U.S.
$1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Floating Rate Global Notes due 2003
(the "Notes"). The Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement are included in the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-31980) (the
"Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), to which this opinion letter is an exhibit.
In rendering the opinions set forth below, we have examined and relied upon,
among other things, (a) the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus and
Prospectus Supplement constituting a part thereof, (b) the Indenture, dated as
of May 31, 1991, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as
of January 29, 1998 (as supplemented, the "Indenture"), between the Company and
The Chase Manhattan Bank (formerly known as Chemical Bank and successor by
merger to Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company), as Trustee, filed as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement, and (c) originals, copies or specimens, certified
or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such certificates, corporate and
public records, agreements and instruments and other documents as we have deemed
appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed below. In such examination we
have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents, agreements and instruments submitted to us as originals, the
conformity to original documents, agreements and instruments of all documents,
agreements and instruments submitted to us as copies or specimens, the
authenticity of the originals of such documents, agreements and instruments
submitted to us as copies or specimens, and the accuracy of the matters set
forth in the documents, agreements and instruments we reviewed. As to any facts
material to such opinions that were not known to us, we have relied upon
statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the
Company and of public officials. Except as expressly set forth herein, we have
not undertaken
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The Bear Stearns Companies -2- March 29, 2000
any independent investigation (including, without limitation, conducting any
review, search or investigation of any public files, records or dockets) to
determine the existence or absence of the facts that are material to our
opinions, and no inference as to our knowledge concerning such facts should be
drawn from our reliance on the representations of the Company and others in
connection with the preparation and delivery of this letter. In addition, we
have assumed that the Notes will be executed and delivered in substantially the
form in which they are filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
We express no opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
laws of the State of New York, to the extent expressly referred to in this
opinion letter, the federal laws of the United States of America, and the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. While we are not licensed to
practice law in the State of Delaware, we have reviewed applicable provisions of
the Delaware General Corporation Law as we have deemed appropriate in connection
with the opinions expressed herein.
Based upon and subject to the qualifications set forth herein, we are of the
opinion that:
1. The Notes, when duly executed, authenticated, and sold and delivered, as
contemplated in the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, will be duly
authorized and legally issued and will constitute binding agreements of the
Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture in accordance with their
terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium, receivership or other laws relating to or
affecting creditors' rights generally, and to general principles of equity
(regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in
equity).
2. The statements made in the Prospectus Supplement, under the caption
"Certain US Federal Income Tax Considerations," insofar as such statements
purport to summarize certain federal income tax laws of the United States
or legal conclusions with respect thereto, have been reviewed by us and
constitute a fair summary of the principal U.S. federal tax consequences of
the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes. All such statements
are based upon current law, which is subject to change, possibly with
retroactive effect. Further, there can be no assurance that the Internal
Revenue Service will not take a contrary position.
We assume no obligation to update or supplement this letter to reflect any
facts, circumstances, laws, rules or regulations, or any changes thereto, or any
court or other authority or body decisions or governmental or regulatory
authority determinations which may hereafter occur or come to our attention.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this Firm in the Prospectus
Supplement
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The Bear Stearns Companies -3- March 29, 2000
constituting a part of the Registration Statement under the captions
"Certain US Federal Income Tax Considerations" and "Legal Matters," without
admitting that we are "experts" within the meaning of the Securities Act or the
rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder with respect to any
part of the Registration Statement, including this exhibit.
Very truly yours,
/s/ CADWALADER, WICKERSHAM & TAFT
