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): January 20, 2005
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THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE File No. 1-8989 13-3286161
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(State or other (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Identification
incorporation) Number)
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
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Not Applicable
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(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 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (the "Company") and Bear Stearns Bank p.l.c., a
subsidiary of the Company ("BSB" and collectively with the Company, the
"Issuers"), have increased to U.S.$15,000,000,000 (from U.S.$10,000,000,000) the
aggregate principal amount available for issuance under their Euro-Dragon Medium
Term Note Programme (the "Programme"), effective as of January 20, 2005. Under
the Programme, each Issuer may from time to time issue unsecured notes (the
"Notes"), including Notes which constitute long-term debt obligations (as
defined in Item 303(a)(5)(ii)(A) of Regulation S-K), with such terms, including
currency, principal amount, interest or payment basis and maturity, as agreed by
such Issuer and the purchasers of such Notes at the time of sale.
Notes are issued under the Programme pursuant to Regulation S under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), to qualified
institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or to
accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the
Securities Act), are not registered under the Securities Act or any state
securities law, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to,
or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an
applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act
and any applicable state securities laws.
As of January 20, 2005, there is approximately U.S.$10.3 billion (or its
equivalent in other currencies) in principal amount of Notes outstanding under
the Programme, leaving approximately U.S.$4.7 billion available for issuance
under the Programme.
SIGNATURES
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 hereunto duly authorized.
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
By: /s/ Jeffrey M. Farber
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Jeffrey M. Farber
Controller (Principal Accounting
Officer)
Dated: January 24, 2005