PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 78 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: October 23, 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: $20,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 10/24/2001 Fixed Rate Notes [ ] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 10/24/2002 CUSIP#: 073928VM2
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 Rate Interest Reset Date(s): Daily
[ ] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Daily
[ ] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): *
[ ] LIBOR Telerate
[X] Prime Rate +
[ ] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: 2.64% Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
Index Maturity: N/A
Spread (plus or minus): -2.86%
+ Prime Rate as reported on Telerate Page 5 under the heading "Bank Rates/
Prime".
*On the 24th of January, April, July and at Maturity.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.