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UNITED STATES
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) December 9, 2005
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THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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DELAWARE File No. 1-8989 13-3286161
(State or Other (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction Identification Number)
of Incorporation)
383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179
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(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)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:
|_| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)
|_| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
|_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
|_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
On December 9, 2005, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. amended The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
Performance Compensation Plan (the "Plan") to increase base salary from $200,000
to $250,000 for each Senior Managing Director deemed to be a participant in the
Plan, effective December 1, 2005.
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/ Jeffrey M. Farber
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Jeffrey M. Farber
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Dated: December 14, 2005