THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT


Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 26, 2003


THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.


Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter


         
DELAWARE
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
  File No. 1-8989
(Commission File Number)
   13-3286161
(IRS Employer Identification Number)


383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York            10179
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                  (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (212) 272-2000



Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)



Item 5. Other Events

Filed herewith is a copy of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (“Company”) Press Release, dated March 26, 2003, announcing its regular quarterly cash dividend on its outstanding shares of common stock.

Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

                          (a) Financial Statements of business acquired:

                                         Not applicable.

                          (b) Pro Forma financial information:

                                         Not applicable.

                          (c) Exhibit:

                                         (99) Press Release, dated March 26, 2003.

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Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                                                                                    THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.

    By: /s/ Marshall J Levinson                        
Marshall J Levinson
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

Dated: March 31, 2003

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THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.                               Description

(99)                                    Press Release, dated March 26, 2003

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Immediate Release

Contact:    Elizabeth Ventura (212) 272-9251
                   Kerri Kelly (212) 272-2529

THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
DECLARES $0.17 COMMON STOCK CASH DIVIDEND

NEW YORK -March 26, 2003- The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (NYSE: BSC) today announced its regular quarterly cash dividend on its outstanding shares of common stock.

        The Board of Directors declared a regular, quarterly cash dividend of 17 cents per share on the outstanding shares of common stock, payable April 30, 2003 to stockholders of record on April 16, 2003.

        Founded in 1923, The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (NYSE: BSC) is the parent company of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., a leading investment banking and securities trading and brokerage firm serving governments, corporations, institutions and individuals worldwide. With approximately $32.0 billion in total capital, Bear Stearns serves governments, corporations, institutions and individuals worldwide. The company’s business includes corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions, institutional equities and fixed income sales, trading and research, private client services, derivatives, foreign exchange and futures sales and trading, asset management and custody services. Through Bear, Stearns Securities Corp., it offers financing, securities lending, clearing and technology solutions to hedge funds, broker-dealers and investment advisors. Headquartered in New York City, the company has approximately 10,500 employees worldwide. For additional information about Bear Stearns, please visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.bearstearns.com.

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