SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-A


                FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR (G) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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                         THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
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             (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                                 -----------------------
     executive offices)                                        (Zip Code)

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   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.

   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:
333-76894

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   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
----------------------------                      ------------------------------
 Principal Protected SECTOR                        American Stock Exchange LLC
  SELECTOR Notes Due 2008
 Linked to a Basket of U.S.
Sector Exchange Traded Funds

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   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 general terms and provisions of the Principal
Protected SECTOR SELECTOR Notes Due 2008 Linked to a Basket of U.S. Sector
Exchange Traded Funds to be issued by the registrant (the "Notes") set forth in
the Preliminary Pricing Supplement dated January 3, 2003, the Prospectus
Supplement dated January 25, 2002 and the Prospectus dated January 25, 2002,
each attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, which contain certain proposed terms and
provisions, are hereby incorporated by reference. The description of the Notes
contained in the Pricing Supplement, to be 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. 333-76894), which will contain the final terms
and provisions of the Notes, is hereby deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein and made a part hereof.

      ITEM 2.  EXHIBITS.

   4.1(a)   Indenture, dated as of May 31, 1991, between The Bear Stearns
            Companies Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank (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 (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.

   99.1(a)  Prospectus Supplement, dated January 25, 2002 and Prospectus, dated
            January 25, 2002, each relating to Medium Term Notes, Series B
            (incorporated by reference to the registrant's filing under Rule
            424(b)(5), dated January 25, 2002).

   99.1(b)  Preliminary Pricing Supplement describing the Principal Protected
            SECTOR SELECTOR Notes Due 2008 Linked to a Basket of U.S. Sector
            Exchange Traded Funds, subject to completion, dated January 3, 2003
            (incorporated by reference to the registrant's filing under Rule
            424(b)(5), dated January 3, 2003).







                                    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:  January 30, 2003






                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

   4.1(a)   Indenture, dated as of May 31, 1991, between The Bear Stearns
            Companies Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank (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 (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.

   99.1(a)  Prospectus Supplement, dated January 25, 2002 and Prospectus, dated
            January 25, 2002, each relating to Medium Term Notes, Series B
            (incorporated by reference to the registrant's filing under Rule
            424(b)(5), dated January 25, 2002).

   99.1(b)  Preliminary Pricing Supplement describing the Principal Protected
            SECTOR SELECTOR Notes Due 2008 Linked to a Basket of U.S. Sector
            Exchange Traded Funds, subject to completion, dated January 3, 2003
            (incorporated by reference to the registrant's filing under Rule
            424(b)(5), dated January 3, 2003).