PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 53 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: January 15, 2003 File No. 333-76894
(To Prospectus dated January 25, 2002,
and Prospectus Supplement dated January 25, 2002)
$10,006,693,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B
Principal Amount: Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
$150,000,000
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes [ ] Certificated Notes [ ]
1/16/2003
Maturity Date: 1/16/2004 CUSIP#: 073928YM9
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
[ x ] Federal Funds Open Rate Interest Reset Date(s): Daily
[ ] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Daily
[ ] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): *
[ ] LIBOR Telerate
[ ] Prime Rate
[ ] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: 1.37% Interest Payment Period: Monthly
Index Maturity: N/A
Spread (plus or minus): + 0.12%
* On the 16th of each month and at Maturity.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.