EXHIBIT 32.2

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                                   PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

      In connection with the Quarterly Report of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
(the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"),
I, Samuel L. Molinaro Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

      1.    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
            15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

      2.    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
            material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
            of the Company.


Dated: April 14, 2004


/s/ Samuel L. Molinaro Jr.
Samuel L. Molinaro Jr.
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer


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