PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 4 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: May 19, 2003+ File No. 333-104455
May 20, 2003++
(To Prospectus dated April 24, 2003,
and Prospectus Supplement dated April 24, 2003)
$10,227,293,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B
Principal Amount: $178,500,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 5/23/2003 Fixed Rate Notes [ ] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 5/23/2005 CUSIP#: 073928ZL0
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: Quarterly
[ ] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[x] LIBOR Telerate
[ ] Prime Rate
[ ] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: 1.42% Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
Index Maturity: Three Months
Spread (plus or minus): +0.15%
+ $60,000,000 was traded on May 19, 2003.
++ $118,500,000 was traded on May 20, 2003.
* On the 23rd of each August, November, February and May prior to Maturity.
** On the 23rd of each August, November, February and May, including the
maturity date.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.