PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 16 Rule 424(b)(3) DATED: February 8, 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: $68,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [ ] Book Entry Notes [x] Original Issue Date: 2/13/2001 Fixed Rate Notes [x] Certificated Notes [ ] Maturity Date: 2/13/2002 CUSIP#: 073928SX2 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: 5.25% 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): * On August 13, 2001 and at Maturity. The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule 2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.