PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 68 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: April 8, 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: 4/11/2003 Fixed Rate Notes [_] Certificated Notes [_]
Maturity Date: 4/11/2006 CUSIP#: 073928ZC0
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: Monthly
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[X] LIBOR Telerate
[_] Prime Rate
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: 1.60813% Interest Payment Period: Monthly
Index Maturity: One Month
Spread (plus or minus): +0.30%
* On the 11th of each month prior to Maturity.
** On the 11th of each month and at Maturity.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.