EXHIBIT 32.1

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE 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 28, 2007 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
"Report"), I, James E. Cayne, Chairman and Chief Executive 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 9, 2007

/s/ James E. Cayne
James E. Cayne
Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer


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