Filed under Rule 424 (b)(3), Registration Statement No. 333-103003,
                                333-103003-01, 333-103003-02, and 333-103003-03
          Pricing Supplement No. 140 Subject to Completion - dated May 22, 2006
                                       (To prospectus dated August 10, 2004 and
                                   prospectus supplement dated August 10, 2004)

The Bank of New York Company, Inc. [LOGO]

The Bank of New York Company, Inc.
$529,297,000
The Bank of New York Company, Inc. CoreNotes(Registered Service Mark)

=================================================================
             Aggregate               Purchasing     Proceeds
  CUSIP      Principal   Price to      Agent's       Before
  Number      Amount     Public(1)   Discount(1)    Expenses(1)
=================================================================

0640P1HC0       TBD         100%         2.00%         98.00%

-----------------------------------------------------------------

=================================================================
   Interest      Interest        Stated
   Rate Per      Payment        Maturity     Survivor's
    Annum       Frequency         Date        Option
=================================================================

    6.20%       Semi-Annual       06/15/2021      YES

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Senior Subordinated Medium-Term Notes Series F
Interest Payment Dates:  The 15th day of June and December of each year
                         commencing 12/15/2006.
Redemption Information:  Redeemable at the option of The Bank of New York
                         Company, Inc. on 06/15/2009 and each Interest Payment
                         Date thereafter, at a price equal to 100% on 30
                         calendar days notice.

=================================================================
             Aggregate               Purchasing     Proceeds
  CUSIP      Principal   Price to      Agent's       Before
  Number      Amount     Public(1)   Discount(1)    Expenses(1)
=================================================================

0640P1HD8       TBD         100%        2.50%        97.50%

-----------------------------------------------------------------

=================================================================
   Interest      Interest        Stated
   Rate Per      Payment        Maturity     Survivor's
    Annum       Frequency         Date        Option
=================================================================

    6.25%      Semi-Annual      06/16/2031       YES

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Senior Subordinated Medium-Term Notes Series F
Interest Payment Dates:  The 15th day of June and December of each year
                         commencing 12/15/2006.
Redemption Information:  Redeemable at the option of The Bank of New York
                         Company, Inc. on 06/15/2011 and each Interest Payment
                         Date thereafter, at a price equal to 100% on 30
                         calendar days notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Bank of New York Company, Inc.
One Wall Street
New York, New York 10286

Trade Date:  05/26/2006
Issue Date:  06/01/2006
Minimum Denominations/Increments: $1,000/$1,000
Original Issue Discount: No
All trades settle without accrued interest and clear SDFS: DTC Book-Entry only
Merrill Lynch DTC Participant Number:  161

The defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the Senior Indenture and
the Senior Subordinated Indenture described under "Description of Senior Debt
Securities and Senior Subordinated Debt Securities - Defeasance and Covenant
Defeasance" in the Prospectus will apply to the Senior and Senior Subordinated
Notes respectively.

(1) Expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount

"CoreNotes(Registered Service Mark)" is a registered service mark of Merrill
Lynch & Co., Inc.

                                                            Merrill Lynch & Co.
                                                               Purchasing Agent
                                                            Acting as Principal
===============================================================================