PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 59 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: February 28, 2003 File No. 333-76894
(To Prospectus dated January 25, 2002,
and Prospectus Supplement dated January 25, 2002)
$10,006,693,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B
Principal Amount: $100,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 3/5/2003 Fixed Rate Notes [ ] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 3/5/2004 CUSIP#: 073928YT4
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 Effective Rate
[ ] Federal Funds Open 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: 1.30875% Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
Index Maturity: Three Months
Spread (plus or minus): -0.03%
* On the 5th of March, June, September and December prior to Maturity.
** On the 5th of June, September, December and at Maturity.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.