PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 33A Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: September 1, 2004 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 [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 9/24/2004 Fixed Rate Notes [ ] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 9/24/2009 CUSIP#: 073928G72
Option to Extend Maturity: No [x]
Yes [ ] Final Maturity Date:
Minimum Denominations: $100,000, increased in multiples of $10,000
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:
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: Monthly
[ ] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[ ] LIBOR Telerate Interest Determination Date(s): ***
[ ] Prime Rate
[x] CMT Rate+ Multiplier: 0.715
Initial Interest Rate: 4.04% Interest Payment Period: Monthly
Index Maturity: Ten Years
Spread (plus or minus): N/A
* On the 24th of each month prior to Maturity.
** On the 24th of each month, including the maturity date.
*** On the second Business Day prior to each Interest Reset Date.
+ The Interest Rate for each Interest Payment Period shall be determined by
the Calculation Agent in accordance with the following formula:
(10 Year CMT Rate) x (Multiplier)
Where:
10 Year CMT Rate = the 10 Year CMT Rate displayed on CMT
Telerate page 7051
Multiplier = 0.715
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
-2-