PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 51 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: February 2, 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 [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 2/3/2000 Fixed Rate Notes [ ] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 2/2/2001 CUSIP#: 073928MU4
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
[x] Federal Funds Rate Interest Reset Date(s): Daily*
[ ] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Daily*
[ ] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[ ] LIBOR Telerate
[ ] Prime Rate
[ ] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: *** Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
Index Maturity: N/A
Spread (plus or minus): +0.24%
* Up to and including the Business Day immediately preceding Maturity.
** 5/3/2000, 8/3/2000, 11/3/2000 and 2/2/2001
*** Federal Funds Open Rate on February 1, 2000 plus 24 basis points.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.