PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 72 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: September 21, 2000 File No. 333-31980
(To Prospectus dated August 8, 2000,
and Prospectus Supplement dated August 11, 2000)
$3,035,893,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B
Principal Amount: $25,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes [ ] Certificated Notes [ ]
9/26/2000
Maturity Date: 9/26/2002 CUSIP#: 073928RW5
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: Monthly
[ ] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[x] LIBOR Telerate
[ ] Prime Rate
[ ] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: 6.82% Interest Payment Period: Monthly
Index Maturity: One Month
Spread (plus or minus): +0.20%
* On the 26th of each month prior to Maturity Date.
** On the 26th of each month and the Maturity Date.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.