THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
IncomeNotes(SM)
WITH MATURITIES OF NINE MONTHS OR MORE FROM DATE OF ISSUE
Registration No. 333-104455
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 12
(To Prospectus dated April 24, 2003,
and Prospectus Supplement dated June 19, 2003)
Trade Date: September 15, 2003
Issue Date: September 18, 2003
The date of this Pricing Supplement is September 15, 2003
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Interest
Interest Maturity Price to Discounts & Payment
CUSIP# Rate Date Public Commissions Reallowance Dealer Frequency
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07387EBH9 3.85% 9/15/2008 100.00% 1.00% 0.150% 99.25% Semi
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07387EBJ5 5.10% 9/15/2013 100.00% 1.50% 0.200% 98.90% Semi
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07387EBK2 5.85% 9/15/2023 100.00% 2.50% 0.350% 98.00% Semi
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SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION
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First First
Interest Payment Interest Survivor's Date and Terms Aggregate Principal
Date Payment Amount Option Yes/No of Redemption Amount Net Proceeds
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3/15/2004 $18.93 Yes No N/A $1,115,000 $1,103,850
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3/15/2004 $25.08 Yes No N/A $1,377,000 $1,356,345
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3/15/2004 $28.76 Yes Yes Commencing 9/15/2008 and on the $1,509,000 $1,471,275
interest payment dates thereafter
until Maturity, the Notes may be
called in whole at par at the option
of the Company on ten calendar days
notice.
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At May 31, 2003:
o the Company had outstanding (on an unconsolidated basis) approximately
$39.8 billion of debt and other obligations, including approximately $36.7
billion of unsecured senior debt and $2.5 billion of unsecured
inter-company debt; and
o subsidiaries of the Company had outstanding (after elimination of
inter-company items) approximately $163.9 billion of debt and other
obligations (including $45.5 billion related to securities sold under
repurchase agreements, $60.7 billion related to payables to customers,
$29.2 billion related to financial instruments sold, but not yet
purchased, and $28.5 billion of other liabilities, including $15.9 billion
of debt).
The distribution of IncomeNotes will conform to the requirements set forth in
Rule 2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.