PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 69 Rule 424(b)(3) DATED: August 14, 2001 File No. 333-52902 (To Prospectus dated January 11, 2001, and Prospectus Supplement dated January 11, 2001) $9,015,893,162 THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC. MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B Principal Amount: $400,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x] Original Issue Date: 8/17/2001 Fixed Rate Notes [ ] Certificated Notes [ ] Maturity Date: 12/1/2003 CUSIP#: 073928VC4 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): * [ ] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Quarterly [ ] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): ** [x] LIBOR Telerate [ ] Prime Rate [ ] CMT Rate Initial Interest Rate: 3.85% Interest Payment Period: Quarterly Index Maturity: Three Months Spread (plus or minus): + 0.29% * On the 17th of each November, February, May and August prior to Maturity. ** 11/17/01, 2/17/02, 5/17/02, 8/17/02, 11/17/02, 2/17/03, 5/17/03, 8/17/03, 11/17/03 and 12/1/03 The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule 2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.