UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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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): March 16, 2006
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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 jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of incorporation) Identification 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 8.01 Other Events.
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On March 16, 2006, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")
and the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") announced their acceptance of the
Offer of Settlement previously submitted by The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (the
"Company") in connection with the previously disclosed investigations by the SEC
and the NYSE relating to mutual fund trading. Pursuant to the terms of the
settlement, the Company will, among other things, pay an amount equal to $250
million, composed of a $90 million penalty and $160 million as disgorgement and
prejudgment interest, and retain an Independent Compliance Consultant to review
procedures at Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc. (BS & Co.) and Bear Stearns Securities
Corp. ("BSSC"). The Company is fully reserved for this settlement. This
settlement concludes the investigations by the SEC and the NYSE regarding the
Company.
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: March 22, 2006