PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 3 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: December 4, 2003 File No. 333-109793
(To Prospectus dated November 17, 2003,
and Prospectus Supplement dated November 17, 2003)
$10,668,950,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
Medium-Term Notes, Series B
Principal Amount: $5,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [ ] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 12/9/2003 Fixed Rate Notes [x] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 12/9/2004 CUSIP#: 073928C50
Option to Extend Maturity: No [x]
Yes [ ] Final Maturity Date:
Minimum Denominations: $1,000, increased in multiples of $1,000.
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: 1.58%
Interest Payment Date(s): *
Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes:
--------------------------------------
Interest Rate Basis: Maximum Interest Rate:
[ ] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate:
[ ] Federal Funds Effective Rate
[ ] Federal Funds Open 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):
* June 9, 2004 and at Maturity.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.