PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 29A Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: August 1, 2002 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: $25,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [X] Book Entry Notes [X]
Original Issue Date: 8/6/2002 Fixed Rate Notes [_] Certificated Notes [_]
Maturity Date: 9/5/2003 CUSIP#: 073928XK4
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): Daily
[_] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Daily
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): *
[_] LIBOR Telerate
[X] Prime Rate +
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: 1.88% Interest Payment Period: Quarterly commencing
December 5, 2002
Index Maturity: N/A
Spread (plus or minus): -2.87%
+ Prime Rate as reported on Telerate Page 5 under the heading "Bank
Rates/Prime."
* On the 5th of December, March, June and at Maturity.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.