PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 8 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: February 22, 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: $20,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [ ] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 2/27/2002 Fixed Rate Notes [x] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 8/15/2013 CUSIP#: 073928WN9
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: 0.00%
Interest Payment Date(s): N/A *
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):
* The principal amount of $20,000,000 will be paid at Maturity.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.