================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ---------- FORM 8-A FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 ---------- The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 13-3286161 ---------------------------- ----------------------- (State of Incorporation) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 383 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10179 ---------------------------- ----------------------- (Address of principal (Zip Code) executive offices) ---------- If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(c), check the following box. [X] If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(d), check the following box. [_] Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates: 333-109793 ---------- Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Name of each exchange on which to be so registered each class is to be registered ------------------------------ ------------------------------- (Euro) 850,000,000 Floating Rate New York Stock Exchange Global Notes Due July 27, 2012 ---------- Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Title of each class Name of each exchange on which to be so registered each class is to be registered ------------------------------ ------------------------------- None Not Applicable ================================================================================ Item 1. Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered. The description of the terms and provisions of the (Euro) 850,000,000 Floating Rate Global Notes Due July 27, 2012 to be issued by the registrant (the "Notes") as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, dated July 20, 2005, and the accompanying Prospectus, dated February 2, 2005, are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part hereof. The Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus have been filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, under the registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-121744). Item 2. Exhibits. 4.1(a) Indenture, dated as of May 31, 1991, between The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly, The Chase Manhattan Bank) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(1) to the registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-40933)). 4.1(b) First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 29, 1998, between The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly, The Chase Manhattan Bank) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(2) to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 2, 1998). 4.2 Form of Note ((Euro)850,000,000 Floating Rate Global Notes Due July 27, 2012). 99.1 Prospectus Supplement, dated July 20, 2005, describing the (Euro) 850,000,000 Floating Rate Global Notes Due July 27, 2012, and the accompanying Prospectus, dated February 2, 2005, relating to Medium Term Notes, Series B (incorporated by reference to the registrant's filing under Rule 424(b)(5), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 2005). 2 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized. THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC. By: /s/ Kenneth L. Edlow -------------------------------------- Name: Kenneth L. Edlow Title: Secretary Dated: July 25, 2005 EXHIBIT INDEX 4.1(a) Indenture, dated as of May 31, 1991, between The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly, The Chase Manhattan Bank) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(1) to the registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-40933)). 4.1(b) First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 29, 1998, between The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly, The Chase Manhattan Bank) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(2) to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 2, 1998). 4.2 Form of Note ((Euro)850,000,000 Floating Rate Global Notes Due July 27, 2012). 99.1 Prospectus Supplement, dated July 20, 2005, describing the (Euro) 850,000,000 Floating Rate Global Notes Due July 27, 2012, and the accompanying Prospectus, dated February 2, 2005, relating to Medium Term Notes, Series B (incorporated by reference to the registrant's filing under Rule 424(b)(5), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 2005).