PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 22A                                      Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: February 28, 2001                                    File No. 333-52902
(To Prospectus dated January 11, 2001,
and Prospectus Supplement dated January 11, 2001)

                                 $9,015,893,162

                         THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.

                           MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B

Principal Amount: $50,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [ ]  Book Entry Notes [x]

Original Issue Date:          Fixed Rate Notes [x]     Certificated Notes [  ]
3/21/2001

Maturity Date: 3/21/2016      CUSIP#: 073928TD5

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

Applicable Only to Fixed Rate Notes:
-----------------------------------

Interest Rate: 7.00%

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:

[  ]  LIBOR Reuters                      Interest Payment Date(s):

[  ]  LIBOR Telerate

[  ]  Prime Rate

[  ]  CMT Rate

Initial Interest Rate:                   Interest Payment Period:

Index Maturity:

Spread (plus or minus):

*Commencing March 21, 2004 and on the interest payment dates thereafter until
Maturity, the Notes may be called in whole at par at the option of the Company
on eight calendar days notice.

**Commencing September 21, 2001 and semi-annually on the 21st thereafter until
Maturity or until the Notes are called.

The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.