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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                            ----------------------


                                    FORM 10-K
                                    ---------


[x]   Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934 For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999.
                                      Or
[_]   Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934 For the transition period from ___________ to
      ___________

                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:  1-8989
                         THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.

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             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)



                  Delaware                                     13-3286161
   -----------------------------------      ------------------------------------
   (State or Other Jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   Incorporation or Organization)


                    245 PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10167
                                 (212) 272-2000

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    (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,
                  of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
                                                           Name of Each Exchange
          Title of Each Class                               on Which Registered

- ---------------------------------------             ----------------------------
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share              New York Stock Exchange


Adjustable Rate Cumulative                           New York Stock Exchange
   Preferred Stock, Series A

Depositary Shares, each representing                 New York Stock Exchange
   a one-fourth interest in a share of
   6.15% Cumulative Preferred Stock,
   Series E

Depositary Shares, each representing a               New York Stock Exchange
   one-fourth interest in a share of
   5.72% Cumulative Preferred Stock,
   Series F

Depositary Shares, each representing a               New York Stock Exchange
   one-fourth interest in a share of
   5.49% Cumulative Preferred Stock,
   Series G

9-3/8% Senior Notes Due 2001                         New York Stock Exchange

S&P Linked Notes Due 2003                     Chicago Board Options Exchange









           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                                      NONE

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                                (Title of Class)


Indicate  by check  mark  whether  the  registrant:  (1) has filed  all  reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [x] No [_]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]

At September 8, 1999,  the aggregate  market value of the voting and  non-voting
common  equity  held  by  non-affiliates  of the  registrant  was  approximately
$4,762,903,000.  For purposes of this  information,  the  outstanding  shares of
Common Stock owned by directors and executive  officers of the  registrant  were
deemed to be shares of Common  Stock held by  affiliates.

On September 8, 1999,  the  registrant  had  outstanding  117,453,197  shares of
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, which is the registrant's only class of
common stock.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Parts II and IV of this Form 10-K  incorporate  information  by  reference  from
certain  portions of the registrant's  1999 Annual Report to  Stockholders.  The
information required to be furnished pursuant to Part III of this Form 10-K will
be set forth in, and incorporated by reference from, the registrant's definitive
proxy statement for the annual meeting of  stockholders  to be held  October 28,
1999,  which definitive proxy statement will be filed by the registrant with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1999.

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                                     PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS.

      (a)  General Development of the Business

      The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated under the
laws of the State of  Delaware  on August  21,  1985.  The  Company is a holding
company  that through its  subsidiaries,  principally  Bear,  Stearns & Co. Inc.
("Bear Stearns");  Bear,  Stearns Securities Corp.  ("BSSC");  and Bear, Stearns
International  Limited  ("BSIL")  is a leading  investment  banking,  securities
trading and brokerage firm serving corporations,  governments, institutional and
individual  investors  worldwide.  BSSC, a subsidiary of Bear Stearns,  provides
professional and correspondent  clearing  services,  in addition to clearing and
settling  the  Company's  proprietary  and  customer  transactions.  The Company
succeeded  on October 29, 1985,  to the  business of Bear,  Stearns & Co., a New
York  limited  partnership  (the  "Partnership").  As used in this  report,  the
"Company"  refers  (unless the context  requires  otherwise) to The Bear Stearns
Companies  Inc.,  its  subsidiaries  and the prior  business  activities  of the
Partnership.

      (b)  Financial Information About Industry Segments

      The Company is primarily  engaged in business as a  securities  broker and
dealer  operating  in  three  principal  segments:  Capital  Markets,  Execution
Services and Wealth  Management.  These  segments are strategic  business  units
analyzed  separately due to the distinct nature of the products they provide and
the clients they serve.  Certain Capital Markets products are distributed by the
Wealth  Management  and  Execution  Services  distribution  network with related
revenue of such  intersegment  services  allocated  to the  respective  segments
through transfer pricing policies.

      The Capital Markets segment is comprised of the Equities, Fixed Income and
Investment  Banking  areas  with over  2,600  directly  attributable  employees.
Equities  combines the efforts of sales,  trading and research  professionals to
offer  in-depth  expertise in areas such as block  trading,  convertible  bonds,
over-the-counter ("OTC") equities, equity derivatives and risk arbitrage.  Fixed
Income provides distribution power for issuers in the primary market,  liquidity
for investors in the secondary market,  research for  institutional  clients and
offers   expertise  in  products  such  as   mortgage-backed   and  asset-backed
securities, corporate and government bonds, municipal and high yield securities,
foreign  exchange  and  derivatives.  Investment  Banking  provides a variety of
services to our clients,  including capital raising, strategic advisory, mergers
and acquisitions and merchant banking capabilities.  Capital raising encompasses
the Company's underwriting of equity,  investment grade debt and high yield debt
securities.

      The Execution Services segment is comprised of clearance and predominately
commission-related  areas, including  institutional equity sales,  institutional
futures sales and specialists activities.  At June 30, 1999, approximately 2,700
dedicated employees serve these business areas.

      Institutional  equity sales involves the execution of  transactions  in US
equity securities for domestic and foreign institutional customers and providing
these customers with liquidity, trading expertise, trade execution, research and
investment advice. The Company provides  transaction  services for institutional
customers who trade in futures and futures-related  instruments.  The Company is
also  involved  in  specialist  activities  on both the New York Stock  Exchange
("NYSE") and the American Stock Exchange ("AMEX").

      The  Company  also  provides  clearing,   margin  lending  and  securities
borrowing to  facilitate  customer  short sales to over 2,700  clearing  clients
worldwide.  Such clients include  approximately  2,300 prime  brokerage  clients
including hedge fund managers, money managers,  short sellers,  arbitrageurs and
other professional  investors and approximately 400 fully disclosed clients, who
engage in either the retail or  institutional  brokerage  business.  The Company
processes trades in over 70 countries and accounts for  approximately 10% of the
average daily NYSE volume,  processing an average of in excess of 175,000 trades
per day.




                                      - 1 -





      Wealth  Management  provides  fee-based  products and services through the
Private Client Services  ("PCS") and Asset  Management  areas to both individual
and institutional investors.

      PCS provides  high-net-worth  individuals with an  institutional  level of
service,  including  access to the Company's  resources and  professionals.  PCS
maintains  a  select  team of  approximately  500  account  executives  in seven
regional offices.  These account executives averaged  approximately $1.0 million
in production in fiscal 1999.  PCS had over $39 billion in client assets at June
30, 1999.

      The Asset Management area, through Bear Stearns Asset Management Inc., had
$12.2  billion in assets  under  management  at June 30, 1999 which  reflected a
greater  than 24%  increase  over the prior year.  The largest  component of the
increase  was  attributable  to  equities  and  alternative  investments.  Asset
Management  serves  the  diverse  investment  needs of  corporations,  municipal
governments,  multi-employer plans, foundations,  endowments,  family groups and
high-net-worth  individuals.  Innovation in products and services  enables Asset
Management  to  serve   clients  in  an   increasingly   competitive   financial
marketplace.

      Financial  information  regarding  the  Company's  industry  segments  and
foreign  operations for the three successive fiscal years ended June 30, 1999 is
set forth under the Notes to the Consolidated  Financial  Statements in Footnote
13, entitled "Segment and Geographic Area Data," in the registrant's 1999 Annual
Report to Stockholders  (the "Annual Report"),  which is incorporated  herein by
reference to Exhibit No. 13 of this report.

      (c)  Narrative Description of Business

      The  business of the  Company  includes:  market-making  and trading in US
government,  government  agency,  corporate  debt and equity,  mortgage-related,
asset-backed  and municipal  securities:  trading in options,  futures,  foreign
currencies,  interest  rate  swaps and other  derivative  products;  securities,
options and futures brokerage; providing securities clearance services; managing
equity  and fixed  income  assets  for  institutional  and  individual  clients;
financing  customer  activities;  securities  lending;  securities  and  futures
arbitrage;  acting  as  specialist  on the  floor  of the  NYSE  and  the  AMEX;
underwriting and distributing securities; arranging for the private placement of
securities;  assisting in mergers,  acquisitions,  restructurings  and leveraged
transactions;  making principal investments in leveraged acquisitions;  engaging
in  commercial  real estate  activities;  investment  management  and  advisory;
fiduciary, custody, agency and securities research services.

      The Company's business is conducted from its principal offices in New York
City; from domestic regional offices in Atlanta,  Boston,  Chicago,  Dallas, Los
Angeles and San Francisco;  from representative  offices in Beijing,  Hong Kong,
and Shanghai;  through  international  offices in Buenos Aires, Dublin,  London,
Lugano,  Sao Paulo,  Singapore and Tokyo;  and through joint ventures with other
firms in  Belgium,  Greece,  and Madrid.  The  Company's  international  offices
provide services and engage in investment  activities  involving foreign clients
and international transactions.  Additionally,  certain of these foreign offices
provide  services to US clients.  The Company  provides  trust company  services
through its  subsidiary,  Custodial Trust Company  ("CTC"),  which is located in
Princeton, New Jersey.

      Bear Stearns and BSSC are  broker-dealers  registered  with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Additionally, Bear Stearns is registered as
an  investment  adviser with the SEC.  Bear Stearns and BSSC are also members of
the NYSE, all other principal US securities and futures exchanges,  the National
Association  of  Securities  Dealers  ("NASD"),  the Commodity  Futures  Trading
Commission ("CFTC") and the National Futures Association  ("NFA").  Bear Stearns
is a "primary  dealer" in US government  securities as designated by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York.

      BSIL is a full  service  broker-dealer  based in London and is a member of
Eurex (formerly the Deutsche Terminborse),  the International Petroleum Exchange
("IPE"),  the  London  Commodity  Exchange  ("LCE"),  the  London  International
Financial Futures and Options Exchange ("LIFFE"),  OMLX, The London Securities &
Derivatives  Exchange  ("OMLX"),  Marche a Terme  International  de  France,  SA
("MATIF")  and the London  Clearing  House  ("LCH").  BSIL is  supervised by and
regulated in accordance  with the rules of the Securities and Futures  Authority
("SFA").





                                      - 2 -





      As of June 30, 1999, the Company had 9,808 employees.

      The following areas are included in the three industry segments  mentioned
above in Item 1(b).

INSTITUTIONAL EQUITIES

      General. The Company provides customers with liquidity, trading expertise,
equity  research  and  extensive  expertise  in products  such as  domestic  and
international equities and convertible securities.

      Option and Index  Products.  The  Company  provides an array of equity and
index option-related execution services to institutional and individual clients.
The Company utilizes  sophisticated  research and computer modeling to formulate
for clients specific recommendations relating to options and index trading.

      Arbitrage.  The Company  engages for its own account in both "classic" and
"risk"  securities-arbitrage.  The Company's risk arbitrage activities generally
involve the purchase of  securities  at a discount from a value that is expected
to be realized if a proposed or anticipated merger, recapitalization,  tender or
exchange offer is consummated. In classic arbitrage, the Company seeks to profit
from temporary discrepancies  (i) between the price of a security in two or more
markets,  (ii) between  the price of a convertible  security and its  underlying
security, (iii) between securities that are, or will be, exchangeable at a later
date,  and  (iv) between  the prices of securities  with  contracts  settling on
differing dates.

      Strategic   Structuring  and  Transactions   (SST).  The  Company  targets
mispriced  assets  using  sophisticated  models  and  proprietary   quantitative
methods.  The Company maintains  substantial  proprietary trading and investment
positions in domestic and foreign  markets  traversing a wide spectrum of equity
and futures products including listed and OTC options and swaps.

      OTC Equity  Securities.  The Company makes markets on a principal basis in
common and preferred stocks, warrants, and other securities traded on the NASD's
Automated   Quotation  System  and  otherwise  in  the  OTC  market.   Principal
transactions  with customers are effected at a net price equal to the prevailing
inter-dealer price, plus or minus a mark-up or mark-down.

      Equity Research. The Equity Research Department provides in-depth research
including economic forecasts,  industry and company analyses,  overall strategic
guidance and recommendations. The department provides comprehensive industry and
company coverage on approximately 1,200 stocks in over 100 industries, or 57% of
the stocks in the S&P 500.  Ninety-three  equity analysts  provide  coverage and
recommendations on domestic stocks as well as European, Latin American and Asian
stocks,  complemented by the output of the Company's economists and strategists.
Some of the  Company's  larger global  research  teams are  concentrated  in the
health care, media, technology and telecommunications sectors.

FIXED INCOME

      General.  The Company makes inter-dealer markets and trades on a principal
basis in a wide  range  of  instruments  including:  corporate  debt and  equity
securities, US and foreign government securities,  government agency securities,
mortgages  and  mortgage-backed   securities,   other  asset-backed  securities,
municipal  and  other  tax-exempt  securities,  interest  rate  swaps  and other
derivative  products.  Bear  Stearns is one of the largest  dealers in the US in
fixed  income  securities,   including  US  government  and  agency  securities,
mortgage-backed securities, and corporate and municipal securities.  Inventories
of  fixed  income  securities  are  generally  carried  to  facilitate  sales to
customers and other dealers.

      US  Government  and Agency  Obligations.  The Company is recognized by the
Federal  Reserve  Bank  of  New  York  as a  primary  dealer  in  US  government
obligations.   The  Company  participates  in  the  auction  of,  and  maintains
proprietary  positions in, US Treasury bills,  notes, bonds, and stripped-coupon
securities.  The Company also  participates  as a selling  group  member  and/or
underwriter   in  the   distribution   of  various  US   government-agency   and
sponsored-corporation  securities  and maintains  proprietary  positions in such
securities.  In  connection  with these




                                      - 3 -





activities, the Company enters into transactions in options, futures and forward
contracts to hedge its proprietary positions.  As a primary dealer, Bear Stearns
furnishes weekly reports of its inventory  positions and market  transactions in
US government  securities to the Federal  Reserve Bank of New York. Bear Stearns
also buys and sells government securities directly with the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York as part of the  Bank's  open-market  activities.  In  addition,  the
Company  engages  in  matched  book  activities,  which  involve  acting  as  an
intermediary  between  borrowers  and lenders of  short-term  funds,  mainly via
repurchase  agreements,  reverse repurchase  agreements and securities borrowed.
The objective of this matched book activity is to earn a positive spread between
interest rates.

      Corporate  Fixed  Income  Securities.  The  Company  acts as a  dealer  in
sovereign  and corporate  fixed income  securities  and preferred  stocks in New
York,  London and Tokyo. It buys and sells these  securities for its own account
in principal  transactions with institutional and individual customers,  as well
as other dealers.  The Company  conducts  trading in the full spectrum of dollar
and  non-dollar  debt  securities.  The Company  offers  hedging  and  arbitrage
services  to  domestic  and  foreign   institutional  and  individual  customers
utilizing financial futures and other instruments.  Moreover, the Company offers
quantitative,   strategic,  and  research  services  relating  to  fixed  income
securities to its domestic and international  clients.  The Company participates
in the trading of high yield, non-investment grade securities and the securities
and bank loans of companies, sovereigns and sovereign agencies.

      Mortgage-Related  Securities  and Products.  The Company  trades and makes
markets in the following  mortgage-related  securities and products:  Government
National Mortgage Association  ("GNMA")  securities;  Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation  ("FHLMC")  participation  certificates;  Federal National  Mortgage
Association ("FNMA") mortgage-backed  securities;  Small Business Administration
loans; loans guaranteed by the Farmers Home Loan Administration; Federal Housing
Authority insured  multi-family  loans; real estate mortgage  investment conduit
("REMIC") and non-REMIC collateralized mortgage obligations,  including residual
interests;  and other derivative  mortgage-backed  securities and products.  The
Company  also trades real  estate  mortgage  loans  originated  by  unaffiliated
mortgage lenders,  both on a securitized and non-securitized  basis. The Company
acts as underwriter  and placement  agent in  transactions  involving  rated and
unrated  mortgage-related  securities  issued  by  affiliated  and  unaffiliated
parties.  The Company  enters into  significant  commitments  -- such as forward
contracts -- on GNMA, FNMA, and FHLMC securities, and on other rated and unrated
mortgage-related   securities.   Certain  rated  and  unrated   mortgage-related
securities  are  considered  to be  liquid,  while  other such  securities,  and
non-securitized mortgage loans, are considered to be less readily marketable.

      The  Company  trades  GNMA,  FNMA and FHLMC "to be  announced"  securities
(i.e.,  securities  having a stated  coupon and the  original  term to maturity,
although the issuer and/or the specific  pool of mortgage  loans is not known at
the time of the transaction). The Company buys and sells such securities for its
own account in transactions with institutional and individual customers, as well
as with other dealers.

      The Company,  through  various special  purpose  subsidiaries,  purchases,
sells, and services entire loan portfolios of varying quality.  These portfolios
are  generally  purchased  from  financial   institutions  and  other  secondary
mortgage-market  sellers.  Prior to bidding on a portfolio of loans, an analysis
of the portfolio is performed by experienced  mortgage-loan  underwriters.  Upon
acquisition of a loan portfolio,  the loans are classified as either  investment
grade  or   non-investment   grade.   Loan  collection  is  emphasized  for  the
non-investment  grade  segment of the loan  portfolio.  A collection  department
employs a staff of workout specialists and loan counselors who assist delinquent
borrowers.  If collection  efforts are  unsuccessful,  the foreclosure unit will
commence and monitor the foreclosure process until either the borrower makes the
loan  current,  or the  property  securing the loan is  foreclosed  or otherwise
acquired.  The portfolio may include real estate that has been foreclosed or was
in the process of foreclosure at the time of its  acquisition.  The  foreclosure
unit  maintains and markets  properties  through  regional real estate  brokers.
Investment  grade  mortgage loans are sold to other  institutional  investors in
either  securitized  or  non-securitized  form.  In  addition,  special  purpose
vehicles issue REMIC and non-REMIC  collateralized mortgage obligations directly
or through trusts that are established for this purpose.

      The Company also operates a commercial  mortgage  conduit that  originates
and accumulates  commercial  mortgage loans for the purpose of securitizing  its
portfolio.  After receipt of loan  applications,  extensive credit  underwriting
reviews  are  conducted.   After  completing  pricing  analysis  and  successful
negotiations,   the  loan  will   "close"   and  be   included   in  an  ensuing
securitization.  The  Company  does not retain any  exposure to real estate risk




                                      - 4 -





subsequent to  securitizing  and selling the deal, but does have exposure to the
performance  of the  underlying  real  estate  after the closing of the loan and
prior to securitization.

      Asset-Backed  Securities.  The Company acts as  underwriter  and placement
agent with respect to investment grade and  non-investment  grade,  asset-backed
securities issued by unaffiliated third parties.  These asset-backed  securities
include:  securities backed by consumer automobile receivables originated by the
captive finance subsidiaries of automobile  manufacturers,  commercial banks and
finance companies;  credit card receivables;  and home-equity lines of credit or
second   mortgages.   The  Company  also  trades  and  makes  markets  in  these
asset-backed securities.  While there are ready markets for the investment grade
asset-backed  securities  described above,  non-investment  grade securities and
related varieties thereof may lack liquidity.

      Municipal  Securities  and  Related  Products.  The Company is a dealer in
tax-exempt and taxable municipal securities and instruments  including:  general
obligation and revenue  bonds;  notes;  leases;  and  variable-rate  obligations
issued by states,  counties,  cities,  and local governmental  authorities.  The
Company is active as a managing  underwriter of negotiated and  competitive  new
security issuances and on a select basis,  provides financial advisory services.
The  Company  makes  markets in a broad  spectrum  of  long-term and  short-term
municipal securities,  mainly to facilitate  transactions with institutional and
individual  customers,  as well as other  dealers.  As agent  for  issuers,  the
Company earns fees by remarketing  short-term  debt  instruments to investors in
the  variable  rate,  demand bond  market.  The Company  periodically  uses both
municipal and treasury bond futures to hedge its cash-market bond inventory.  In
addition,  the Company  maintains a municipal  arbitrage  portfolio  for its own
account  consisting of municipal futures and cash bond positions.  The Company's
underwriting, trading and sales activities are supported by a municipal research
group.

      Derivatives.  The  Company  offers to  customers,  and  trades for its own
account, a variety of  exchange-traded  and OTC derivative  products,  including
fixed income, credit, and equity derivatives.  These products are transacted, as
principal,   with  customers  for  hedging,  risk  management,   asset/liability
management,  investment, financing and other purposes. These transactions are in
the form of swaps,  options,  swaptions,  asset swaps, and structured  notes, as
well as more complex,  structured trades which are customized to meet customers'
specific needs. The Company also enters into derivative transactions for various
purposes and to manage  risks to which the Company is exposed in its  businesses
and  funding  activities.  The  Company  manages  its  market  and  counterparty
derivatives  risks  in a manner  consistent  with  its  overall  risk-management
policies.

      Foreign  Exchange.  The Company  trades  foreign  exchange  products  with
clients as principal; for its own account; and to hedge its securities positions
or other assets and  liabilities.  Foreign  exchange  products include major and
minor  currencies on a spot and forward basis,  listed and OTC foreign  currency
options, and foreign exchange futures contracts.  Foreign exchange trading desks
are  maintained  in New York and London and clients can trade or leave orders 24
hours per day. The Company  serves a select list of funds,  major  corporations,
and mid-size commercial banks.  Currency option strategies are made available to
customers to help them meet their specific risk management objectives.

      Fixed  Income  Research.  The  Company  is a leader  in the  distribution,
trading and underwriting of corporate, government, high yield, emerging markets,
municipal  debt, and  mortgage-backed  and  asset-backed  securities.  The Fixed
Income  Research  Department is comprised of economists,  industry  analysts and
strategists  covering  the full  range of  research  disciplines:  quantitative,
economic,  strategic,  credit  portfolio,  relative  value  and  market-specific
analysis.  The Fixed Income Research Department provides ongoing support for the
Company's sales and trading efforts,  producing reports,  studies, and technical
market  analyses.  Fixed Income  Research is comprised  of the  following  three
units:

      (i)   Financial Analytics and Structured  Transactions Group ("F.A.S.T."),
            a unique firm-wide resource,  has developed  innovative fixed income
            strategies  through  the  application  of  its  advanced  and  fully
            integrated  technology.  Through  F.A.S.T.,  the Company affords its
            clients  financial  engineering  and  securitization   capabilities,
            investment   research,   fixed  income   portfolio   management  and
            analytical systems and trading technology for  mortgage-related  and
            fixed  income




                                      - 5 -





            securities.  F.A.S.T.  offers  the  means to  create  and  implement
            financial strategies designed to maximize portfolio returns.

      (ii)  High grade  research  consists  of  approximately  18  analysts  and
            researchers,  and provides  coverage for over 30 industries  and 700
            companies.

      (iii) High yield  research  consists of 28 analysts  and  researchers  for
            domestic issues and 15 analysts and  researchers  for  international
            issues,  providing  coverage for over 600  corporate  and  sovereign
            issuers whose fixed income securities are non-investment grade.

EMERGING MARKETS

      The  Company  provides  financial  services  in various  emerging  markets
worldwide including:  securities brokerage,  equity and fixed income trading and
sales,  and  securities  research;  besides  offering a full range of investment
banking,  capital formation and advisory services.  As part of these activities,
the Company  manages and  participates  in public  offerings  and  arranges  the
private  placement of debt and equity securities with  institutional  investors.
The markets  currently  covered by the Company include Latin America,  Asia, and
Europe.

EQUITY SALES

      The Company is one of the leading  firms in the US in providing  brokerage
services to  institutional  investors.  Institutional  equity sales involves the
execution  of  transactions  in US equity  securities  for  domestic and foreign
institutional  customers and providing these  customers with liquidity,  trading
expertise, trade execution, research and investment advice. The Company provides
transaction  services  for  institutional  customers  who trade in  futures  and
futures-related   instruments.  The  Company  is  also  involved  in  specialist
activities on both the NYSE and the AMEX.

CLEARANCE ACTIVITIES

      The  Company  provides  a full  range of  clearing  services  to  clients.
Organizations that are engaged in the retail or institutional brokerage business
and are members of the NYSE and/or NASD  comprise one category of client  called
"fully-disclosed   correspondents."  In  addition,  the  Company  has  extensive
involvement  in  the  clearing  of  securities  transactions  for  "professional
clearing   clients"   such  as:   hedge   funds,   market-makers,   specialists,
arbitrageurs,  money  managers,  and other  professional  investors  trading  at
multiple securities firms.

      Besides commissions and service charges realized from clearing activities,
the  Company  also earns  substantial  amounts of interest  income.  The Company
extends  credit  directly to the  customers of  correspondent  firms in order to
facilitate the conduct of customer  securities  transactions  on a margin basis.
Correspondents indemnify the Company against margin losses on customer accounts.
The Company also extends margin credit directly to  correspondents to the extent
that such firms pledge proprietary assets as collateral.  Since the Company must
rely on the guarantees and general credit of the correspondents, the Company may
be  exposed to  significant  risk of loss if  correspondents  are unable to meet
their financial  commitments should there be a substantial adverse change in the
value  of  margined   securities.   The  clearing   business  for  hedge  funds,
market-makers,  specialists,  arbitrageurs  and other  professional  traders can
require a  substantial  commitment of the Company's  capital  involving  varying
degrees of risk.  The  Company has  developed  computerized  control  systems to
monitor and analyze risk on a daily basis.

      In addition to clearing  trades,  the Company  provides other products and
services  to  its  correspondents   such  as  recordkeeping,   trading  reports,
accounting, general back-office support, securities lending,  reorganization and
custody  of  securities.   The  Company's  Prime  Broker  Plus  system  provides
consolidated  reporting and  securities  processing for  professional  investors
executing   trades   at  more   than  one   securities   firm.   The   financial
responsibilities arising from the Company's clearing relationships are allocated
in  accordance  with  agreements  with  correspondents.  To the extent  that the
correspondent has available  resources,  the Company is protected against claims
by  customers  of  the   correspondent   when  the  latter  has  been  allocated
responsibility  for  a  function  giving  rise  to  a  claim.  However,




                                      - 6 -





if the correspondent is unable to meet its obligations,  dissatisfied  customers
may attempt to seek recovery from the Company.

      The Company attempts to broaden, wherever possible, its relationships with
broker-dealer   and  prime   broker   clients.   In   addition   to   performing
administrative,  operational and settlement functions,  the Company also advises
clients on  communications  systems  and  provides  a variety  of  non-brokerage
products  and  services on favorable  terms,  enabling  them to benefit from the
Company's centralized purchasing power.

FUTURES

      The Company,  through BSSC and other subsidiaries,  provides,  directly or
through third-party brokers,  futures commission merchant services for customers
and other Bear Stearns  affiliates  who trade  contracts in futures on financial
instruments   and   physical   commodities,   including   options  on   futures.
Exchange-traded  futures  and  options  derive  their  values from the values of
selected stock indices,  fixed income securities,  currencies,  agricultural and
energy products and precious metals.

      Domestic futures and options trading is subject to extensive regulation by
the CFTC  pursuant  to the  Commodity  Exchange  Act and the  Commodity  Futures
Trading  Commission  Act of 1974.  International  futures  and  options  trading
activities are subject to regulation by the respective regulatory authorities in
the locations where futures  exchanges  reside,  including the SFA in the United
Kingdom.

      Margin  requirements  (good faith  deposits)  covering  substantially  all
transactions  in futures and options  contracts  are subject to each  particular
exchange's regulations in addition to other regulations.  In the US, the Company
is a clearing  member of the  Chicago  Board of Trade,  the  Chicago  Mercantile
Exchange,   the  New  York  Mercantile  Exchange  and  other  principal  futures
exchanges.  In the United Kingdom,  the Company is a member of the IPE, the LCE,
the LIFFE and OMLX. The Company also has non-clearing memberships with MATIF and
Eurex in Europe.  In Japan  memberships  are held with the Tokyo Stock Exchange,
the Osaka Stock Exchange and the Tokyo International  Financial Futures Exchange
("TIFFE") for clearing Japanese  government bond futures,  for clearing Japanese
stock index products, and for executing financial futures, respectively.

BLOCK TRADING

      The Company effects transactions in large blocks of securities,  generally
exceeding 50,000 shares, mainly with institutional  customers.  The Company also
provides customers execution capabilities for baskets of equity securities using
sophisticated  computer  systems.  Transactions  are handled on an agency  basis
whenever  possible,  but the  Company  may be  required  to take a long or short
position in a security to the extent that an  offsetting  purchaser or seller is
not immediately available.

SPECIALIST ACTIVITIES

      The Company is a participant in specialist  units on the NYSE and the AMEX
that as of September  1999 perform  specialist  functions in  approximately  180
NYSE-listed stocks in addition to approximately 100 stocks and 80 options on the
AMEX. These market-making operations are conducted through joint ventures with a
member  organization  pursuant to joint-account  agreements.  The  market-making
functions  of a  specialist  involve  risk  of loss  during  periods  of  market
fluctuation,  since  specialists  are obliged to take  positions in their issues
counter  to  the  direction  of the  market  in  order  to  minimize  short-term
imbalances in the auction market.

CUSTODIAL TRUST COMPANY

      The  Company  offers  a range of trust  company  and  securities-clearance
services  through its wholly owned subsidiary CTC. CTC provides the Company with
banking powers,  such as access to the securities and funds-wire services of the
Federal Reserve System. CTC provides:  fiduciary,  custody,  and agency services
for institutional accounts;  clearance of government securities for institutions
and dealers;  processing of mortgage and  mortgage-related  products,  including
derivatives  and  collateralized   mortgage  obligations  products;  and  margin
lending.  At




                                      - 7 -





June 30, 1999, CTC held approximately $140 billion of assets for clients such as
pension  funds,  mutual funds,  endowment  funds,  religious  organizations  and
insurance companies.

INVESTMENT BANKING

      The Company is a major global  investment  banking  firm  providing a full
range of capital formation and advisory services to a broad spectrum of clients.
The Company  manages and  participates  in public  offerings  and  arranges  the
private  placement of debt and equity  securities  directly  with  institutional
investors.  The Company provides advisory services to clients on a wide range of
financial  matters and assists with mergers,  acquisitions,  leveraged  buyouts,
divestitures, corporate reorganizations, and recapitalizations.

      The Company's  strategy is to concentrate a major portion of its corporate
finance  business  development  efforts  within  those  industries  in which the
Company has established a leadership  position in providing  investment  banking
services.   Industry  specialty  groups  include  financial  services,   general
industrial     services    and    products,     health     care/pharmaceuticals,
media/entertainment,  merchandising,  natural resources, real estate, gaming and
lodging,  technology and  telecommunications.  The Company also has a group that
focuses on financial  sponsors.  These groups are  responsible  for  initiating,
developing and maintaining client relationships,  and for executing transactions
involving these clients.  The Company has focused  primarily on those industries
in which the Company also has a strong research capability.

      In addition to being structured according to distinct industry groups, the
Company  has a number of  professionals  who  specialize  in  specific  types of
transactions.  These include mergers and acquisitions ("M&A"), equity offerings,
high yield securities, syndicated bank loans, and other transaction specialties.

      Mergers and  Acquisitions.  The Company is active in arranging various M&A
transactions  for its  clients.  The  Company  participates  in a broad range of
domestic and international  assignments  including  acquisitions,  divestitures,
strategic  restructurings,  proxy  contests,  leveraged  buyouts,  and  defenses
against unsolicited takeovers.

      Equity  Offerings.  The equity capital  markets group focuses on providing
financing for issuers of equity and convertible  equity securities in the public
markets.  The  group  often  assists  with  the  origination,  but is  primarily
responsible for the structuring and execution of transactions  for a broad range
of clients.

      High  Yield  Securities.  The  high  yield  securities  group  focuses  on
providing  financing  in the public and private  capital  markets.  The group is
responsible for originating,  structuring, and executing high yield transactions
across a wide range of  companies  and  industries,  as well as managing  client
relationships  with both high yield corporate issuers and financial  sponsors of
leveraged transactions.

     Leveraged Loan Origination and Syndication.  This area of the Company
integrates the origination, structuring, underwriting, distribution and trading
of bank loans.  Such loans include both funded and unfunded and investment grade
and non-investment grade loans.

      Leveraged Acquisitions.  As part of its investment banking activities, the
Company  makes  investments  as  principal  in  leveraged  acquisitions  and  in
leveraged  buy-out  funds  as  a  limited  partner.  The  Company's  investments
generally take the form of equity securities,  either common or preferred stock.
Equity  securities  purchased  in  these  transactions  generally  are  held for
appreciation and are not readily marketable. While the Company believes that the
current carrying value of these  instruments is at least equal to their eventual
realizable  value,  it is not possible to determine  whether or when the Company
will realize the value of these investments.

      Commercial Real Estate. The Company is engaged in a variety of real estate
activities on a nationwide basis. It provides  comprehensive real estate-related
investment banking, capital markets and financial advisory services.

PCS

      PCS provides  high-net-worth  individuals with an  institutional  level of
service,  including  access to the Company's  resources and  professionals.  PCS
maintains  a  select  team of  approximately  500  account  executives  in seven
regional offices.  These account executives averaged  approximately $1.0 million
in production in fiscal 1999.  PCS had over $39 billion in client assets at June
30, 1999.




                                      - 8 -





ASSET MANAGEMENT

      The Company's asset management  department manages equity and fixed income
assets for some of the leading domestic corporate pension plans, public systems,
endowments,    foundations,    multi-employer   plans,    insurance   companies,
corporations,  families and high net-worth individuals in the US.  With over $12
billion under management,  the asset management  department provides its clients
with diverse products, expertise and experience for enhancing investment returns
by identifying,  and capitalizing on, investment  opportunities in the financial
markets.  Institutional and high-net-worth products include: large and small cap
value equity and growth equity;  global and emerging markets fixed income;  cash
management;  alternative investment  strategies,  including hedge funds, private
equity, venture capital and collateralized bond obligations; and wrap accounts.

      In addition,  the asset management  department serves individual investors
through its management of The Bear Stearns Funds, a family of mutual funds which
include: S&P STARS, Large Cap Value, Small Cap Value, The Insiders Select, Focus
List,  International  Equity,  Balanced,  Total  Return  Bond,  High Yield Total
Return, and The Emerging Markets Debt Portfolios.

OTHER

      The Company derives  substantial  net-interest income from customer margin
loans and securities lending.

      Customer Financing.  Securities transactions are effected for customers on
either a cash or margin  basis.  In a margin  transaction,  the Company  extends
credit to a customer for a portion of the purchase price that is  collateralized
by securities and cash in the customer's  account, in accordance with regulatory
and internal requirements.  The Company receives income from interest charged on
the  extension of credit.  The rate of interest  charged to customers for margin
financing is based upon the federal funds rate, broker's call rate or LIBOR.

      Securities  Lending  Activities.  In connection  with both its trading and
brokerage activities, the Company borrows and lends securities to broker-dealers
and other trading entities to cover short sales and to complete  transactions in
which customers have failed to deliver securities by settlement date.

ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS

     Administration  and operations  personnel are responsible for processing of
securities  transactions;  receipt,  identification  and  delivery  of funds and
securities;  internal financial controls; accounting functions; office services;
custody of  customer  securities;  and  overseeing  the margin  accounts  of the
Company  and  correspondent  organizations.  The  processing,   settlement,  and
accounting for transactions for the Company,  correspondent  organizations,  and
the  customers  of  correspondent   organizations  is  handled  by  a  staff  of
approximately 5,000 employees located in separate operations offices in New York
City and Whippany,  New Jersey and, to a lesser extent, in the Company's offices
worldwide.

      The  Company  executes  its  own  and  correspondent  transactions  on  US
exchanges  and in the OTC market.  The Company  clears all of its  domestic  and
international  transactions  (i.e.,  delivery  of  securities  sold,  receipt of
securities purchased, and transfer of related funds) through its own facilities,
unaffiliated commercial banks, other broker-dealers,  and through memberships in
various clearing corporations.

      There can be  significant  fluctuation in the volume of  transactions  the
Company processes,  clears and settles.  Operations personnel monitor day-to-day
operations to assure compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

INTERNATIONAL

      Outside  the US, the  Company,  through  its  international  subsidiaries,
provides various services including  investment banking,  securities trading and
brokerage and clearance  activities to corporations,  governments,




                                      - 9 -





institutions  and  individuals   throughout  the  world.   These   international
subsidiaries  have  memberships  on  various  foreign   securities  and  futures
exchanges.

      BSIL is based in London and  provides  investors  and issuers  with a full
range of products and  services in both  international  and US  equities,  fixed
income,  exchange-traded futures and options, and foreign exchange. In addition,
BSIL is a major sales and  trading  center  within the  Company's  global  fixed
income and equity-related  derivative businesses.  BSIL has a growing investment
banking  capability and is also  enhancing its service to the Company's  growing
clearance business in Europe.

      Bear Stearns Japan Limited  ("BSJL"),  based in Tokyo,  serves the diverse
needs of Japanese  corporations,  financial institutions and government agencies
by offering a range of international fixed income and equity products as well as
listed  futures.  BSJL also offers a range of derivative  products  within Japan
with special focus on credit and equity  derivatives.  Mergers and acquisitions,
corporate  finance and  restructuring  services are also available for local and
cross-border  business.  Over the past  year,  BSJL  became  active in the local
mortgage-backed securities and distressed debt markets.

     Bear  Stearns  Asia  Limited  ("BSAL"),  based  in Hong  Kong,  acts as the
regional  headquarters for the Company's  activities in the Asia-Pacific region,
excluding Japan. This office provides equity and fixed income sales and trading,
international equity and fixed income research,  and investment banking services
to institutional and individual clients in Asia. The  representative  offices of
Bear Stearns located in Beijing and Shanghai support the efforts of BSAL.

      Bear Stearns Bank plc (the "Bank")  based in Dublin,  allows the Company's
existing  and  prospective   clients  the  choice  of  dealing  with  a  banking
counterparty.  The Bank also serves as a platform from which the Company directs
its  international  banking  activities,  gaining  easier  access  to  worldwide
markets, and thereby expanding its client base and product range.

COMPETITION

      The  Company  encounters  intense   competition  in  all  aspects  of  the
securities  business and competes  directly with other  securities firms -- both
domestic and foreign -- many having substantially  greater capital and resources
and offering a wider range of financial services than does the Company.  Besides
competition from firms in the securities  business,  in recent years the Company
has experienced  increasing  competition from other sources,  such as commercial
banks and insurance  companies.  The Company believes that the principal factors
affecting competition involve the caliber and ability of professional personnel,
the relative price of the service and products being offered, and the quality of
service.

REGULATIONS AND OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPANY AND THE SECURITIES
INDUSTRY

      The securities industry in the US is subject to extensive regulation under
both  federal  and state  laws.  Moreover,  Bear  Stearns  is  registered  as an
investment  adviser with the SEC. Much of the regulation of  broker-dealers  has
been  delegated to  self-regulatory  organizations,  principally  the NASD,  the
Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, and national securities exchanges such as
the NYSE,  which has been  designated  by the SEC as the  primary  regulator  of
certain of the Company's  subsidiaries,  including Bear Stearns and BSSC.  These
self-regulatory  organizations (i) adopt rules,  subject to approval by the SEC,
that govern the industry and (ii) conduct periodic examinations of the Company's
operations.  Securities firms are also subject to regulation by state securities
administrators in those states where they conduct business.

      US broker-dealers  are subject to regulations which cover all aspects of
the securities business  including:  sales methods;  trade practices;  use and
safekeeping   of   customer   funds  and   securities;   capital   structures;
recordkeeping;  and the conduct of  directors,  officers  and  employees.  The
types of  regulations  to  which  investment  advisers  are  subject  include:
recordkeeping;  fee  arrangements;  client  disclosure;  and  the  conduct  of
directors,  officers and  employees.  The mode of operation and  profitability
of  broker-dealers  or  investment  advisers  may be directly  affected by new
legislation,  changes  in  rules  promulgated  by the SEC and  self-regulatory
organizations,  and




                                     - 10 -





changes in the  interpretation  or enforcement  of existing laws and rules.  The
SEC, self-regulatory  organizations and state securities commissions may conduct
administrative  proceedings that can result in censures,  fines, the issuance of
cease-and-desist  orders,  and the suspension or expulsion of a broker-dealer or
an  investment  adviser,  its officers or employees.  The  principal  purpose of
regulation  and  discipline of  broker-dealers  and  investment  advisers is the
protection of customers and the securities  markets,  rather than the protection
of creditors and  stockholders  of  broker-dealers  or investment  advisers.  On
occasion the  Company's  subsidiaries  have been subject to  investigations  and
proceedings,  and  sanctions  have  been  imposed  for  infractions  of  various
regulations,  none of which,  to date, has had a material  adverse effect on the
Company or its business.

      The Market  Reform Act of 1990 (the  "Market  Reform  Act") was adopted to
strengthen the SEC's regulatory oversight of the national securities markets and
to increase the efficacy and  stability of such markets by, among other  things:
(i) providing the SEC with discretion to halt securities trading on any national
exchange for the  protection of investors;  (ii)  requiring  broker-dealers  and
other registrants to regularly provide  information to the SEC regarding holding
companies  and other  affiliated  entities  whose  activities  can impact  their
financial  condition;  (iii) requiring  broker-dealers and other registrants who
execute  large-trade  orders to provide  information  to the SEC regarding  such
transactions;  and (iv) allowing the SEC to prosecute  market  participants  who
violate SEC rules and regulations designed to maintain fair and orderly markets.
The SEC has adopted the Risk Assessment  Reporting  Requirements for Brokers and
Dealers (the "Risk Assessment  Rules") to implement the provisions of the Market
Reform Act. The Risk Assessment Rules require that  broker-dealers:  (i) have an
organizational chart; (ii) maintain risk-management  procedures or standards for
monitoring and controlling  risks; (iii) maintain and preserve records and other
information;  and (iv)  file  quarterly  reports  covering  the  risk-management
procedures and the financial and securities  activities of the holding companies
of  broker-dealers,   or  broker-dealer  affiliates  or  subsidiaries  that  are
reasonably  likely to have a material  impact on the financial  and  operational
condition of the broker-dealer.

      The  Insider  Trading and  Securities  Fraud  Enforcement  Act of 1988 was
adopted to strengthen  the SEC's ability to deter,  detect,  and punish  insider
trading by, among other  things:  (i)  increasing  civil  penalties  that can be
assessed against controlling persons who purposefully or recklessly fail to take
adequate  measures to prevent insider trading;  (ii) allowing the SEC to provide
cash  rewards to  individuals  who provide  evidence of insider  trading;  (iii)
affirming the government's  ability to obtain criminal  sanctions  against those
found  guilty  of  insider  trading;  and  (iv)  requiring   broker-dealers  and
investment  advisors to  establish  and enforce  written  procedures  reasonably
designed to prevent the misuse of material, non-public information.

      The Government  Securities Act of 1986 (the  "Government  Securities Act")
was  adopted  to  decrease  volatility  and  increase  investor  confidence  and
liquidity in the  government  securities  market by creating a  coordinated  and
comprehensive  regulatory  structure  for the market  where none had  previously
existed.   In   particular,   the  Government   Securities   Act:  (i)  requires
broker-dealers  solely  involved in government  securities to register with SEC;
(ii) allows the Secretary of the Treasury to adopt rules  regarding the custody,
use, transfer, and control of government securities;  and (iii) bestows upon the
SEC the  authority  to  enforce  such rules as to  broker-dealers  and other SEC
registrants.

      The  futures  industry  in the  US is  subject  to  regulation  under  the
Commodity Exchange Act, as amended.  The CFTC is the federal agency charged with
the administration of the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder.
Bear  Stearns  and BSSC are  registered  with  the  CFTC as  futures  commission
merchants and are subject to regulation as such by the CFTC and various domestic
boards of trade and other futures  exchanges.  Bear Stearns' and BSSC's  futures
business is also regulated by the NFA, a not-for-profit  membership corporation,
which has been designated a registered futures association by the CFTC.

      As  registered  broker-dealers  and  member  firms of the NYSE,  both Bear
Stearns  and BSSC are subject to the Net Capital  Rule (Rule  15c3-1)  (the "Net
Capital  Rule")  under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended  (the
"Exchange  Act"),  which has been adopted through  incorporation by reference in
NYSE Rule 325.  The Net  Capital  Rule,  which  specifies  minimum  net  capital
requirements for registered  broker-dealers,  is designed to measure the general
financial integrity and liquidity of broker-dealers and requires that at least a
minimal portion of assets be kept in relatively liquid form.




                                     - 11 -





      Bear Stearns and BSSC are also subject to the net capital  requirements of
the CFTC and various futures exchanges, which generally require Bear Stearns and
BSSC to maintain minimum net capital equal to the greater of the alternative net
capital  requirement  provided  for  under the  Exchange  Act or 4% of the funds
required to be segregated  under the Commodity  Exchange Act and the regulations
promulgated thereunder.

      Compliance with the Net Capital Rule could limit those  operations of Bear
Stearns  and/or  BSSC  that  require   significant   capital   usage,   such  as
underwriting,  trading  and  the  financing  of  customer  margin-account  debit
balances.  The Net Capital  Rule could also  restrict the  Company's  ability to
withdraw  capital  from Bear  Stearns  or BSSC,  which in turn  could  limit the
Company's  ability to pay  dividends,  pay  interest,  repay debt,  or redeem or
purchase  shares  of  its  outstanding  capital  stock.  Additional  information
regarding  net capital  requirements is set forth in the Annual Report, Notes to
Consolidated   Financial   Statements,    Footnote   7,   entitled   "Regulatory
Requirements,"  which is  incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13 of
this report.

      Bear Stearns and BSSC are members of the  Securities  Investor  Protection
Corporation ("SIPC"),  which provides insurance protection for customer accounts
held by these  entities  of up to  $500,000  for  each  customer,  subject  to a
limitation of $100,000 for cash balance  claims in the event of the  liquidation
of a broker-dealer. In addition, all customer accounts are fully protected by an
excess securities bond, issued by the Travelers Casualty and Surety Company,  up
to the amount of total net equity  (both cash and  securities)  in excess of the
underlying SIPC protection.

      The  activities of the Company's bank and trust company  subsidiary,  CTC,
are  regulated by the New Jersey  Department  of Banking and  Insurance  and the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC").  FDIC regulations  applicable to
CTC limit the extent to which CTC and Bear Stearns may have common  directors or
may share physical  facilities.  FDIC regulations require certain disclosures in
connection with joint  advertising or promotional  activities  conducted by Bear
Stearns and CTC. Such  regulations  also restrict  certain  activities of CTC in
connection with the securities business of Bear Stearns. The Competitive Banking
Act limits  (i) an  expansion in the scope of the  activities  of CTC,  (ii) the
cross-marketing  of certain  services with its  affiliates  and (iii) the use of
overdrafts at Federal Reserve banks on behalf of affiliates.

      BSIL is a full  service  broker-dealer  based in London and is a member of
the Eurex,  IPE, LCE, LIFFE,  OMLX,  MATIF and LCH.  Another London  subsidiary,
Bear,  Stearns  International  Trading  Limited  ("BSIT"),  is a market-maker in
various  non-dollar  denominated equity securities and is a member of the London
Stock  Exchange.  BSIL and BSIT are  subject  to the  United  Kingdom  Financial
Services Act 1986,  which governs all aspects of the investment  business in the
United Kingdom including:  regulatory capital, sales and trading practices,  use
and safekeeping of customer funds,  securities  recordkeeping,  margin practices
and procedures,  registration standards for individuals,  periodic reporting and
settlement  procedures.  BSIL and BSIT are  supervised  by and are  regulated in
accordance with the rules of the SFA.

      BSJL is a  Tokyo broker-dealer  registered  with the Japanese  Ministry of
Finance. BSJL sells equity and fixed income securities to Japanese institutional
customers.  BSJL has a  membership  on the Tokyo Stock  Exchange,  TIFFE and the
Osaka Stock Exchange.  Bear Stearns Hong Kong Ltd. is a member of the Securities
and  Futures  Commission  and sells US  futures to retail  customers.  BSAL is a
member of the Shanghai  Stock  Exchange and the Stock  Exchange of Hong Kong and
sells  equity  and  fixed  income   securities   and   derivative   products  to
institutional  and retail customers in Asia (excluding  Japan) and also provides
investment  banking services to institutional  clients.  Bear Stearns  Singapore
Pte.  Limited is a  broker-dealer  registered  with the  Monetary  Authority  of
Singapore and sells fixed income and equity securities,  including  derivatives,
to  institutional  investors in  Singapore,  Southeast  Asia,  Australia and New
Zealand.

      Bear Stearns Bank plc is an  Dublin-based  bank  incorporated  in 1996 and
subsequently  granted a banking  license under the Irish Central Bank Act, 1971.
The Bank engages in capital  markets  activities  with  particular  focus on the
trading and sales of OTC interest-rate derivatives products.

      The Company,  like other  securities  firms, is directly  affected by such
things as: national and international  economic and political conditions,  broad
trends in business  and  finance,  legislation  and  regulations  affecting  the




                                     - 12 -





national  and  international  financial  and business  communities,  fluctuating
currency values, the level and volatility of interest rates, and fluctuations in
the volume and the price levels in the securities and futures markets. These and
other  factors can affect the Company's  volume of security new issues,  mergers
and acquisitions,  and business  restructurings;  the stability and liquidity of
securities and futures  markets;  and the ability of issuers,  other  securities
firms and counterparties to perform on their obligations. Decrease in the volume
of security new issues,  mergers and acquisitions or  restructurings,  generally
results in lower  revenues  from  investment  banking  and, to a lesser  extent,
reduced  principal  transactions.  A reduced  volume of  securities  and futures
transactions,  and reduced market liquidity, generally results in lower revenues
from principal  transactions and commissions.  Lower price levels for securities
may result in a reduced  volume of  transactions  and may also  result in losses
from declines in the market value of securities held in proprietary  trading and
underwriting  accounts.  In periods of reduced sales and trading,  or investment
banking  activity,  profitability  may be  adversely  affected  because  certain
expenses remain relatively fixed.

      The Company's securities trading, derivatives,  arbitrage,  market-making,
specialist,  leveraged buyout and  underwriting  activities are conducted by the
Company on a principal basis and expose the Company to significant risk of loss.
Such risks include market,  counterparty  credit, and liquidity risks. See "Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk."

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES.

      The  Company's  executive  offices and  principal  administrative  offices
occupy approximately  753,000 square feet of space at 245 Park Avenue, New York,
New York under leases expiring through 2002.

      The Company also leases approximately  297,000 square feet of office space
at One MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, New York pursuant to a lease expiring in 2004
for  its   securities   processing,   accounting   and   clearance   operations.
Additionally,  the Company  leases  approximately  43,000,  140,000,  13,000 and
59,000  square  feet of space at four  locations  in New York City under  leases
expiring in 2001,  2004,  2007 and 2009,  respectively.  The Company's  regional
offices in Atlanta,  Boston,  Chicago,  Dallas,  Houston,  Irving  (Texas),  Los
Angeles,  Philadelphia,  Princeton  (New  Jersey)  and San  Francisco  occupy an
aggregate of  approximately  511,000 square feet,  while its ten foreign offices
occupy a total of  approximately  136,000  square feet under leases  expiring on
various dates through the year 2016.

      The Company owns  approximately 65 acres of land in Whippany,  New Jersey,
including five buildings comprising an aggregate of approximately 493,000 square
feet. The Company is currently using the existing  facilities on the property to
house  its  data  processing   facility  and  other  operations  and  accounting
functions.  Because the  Whippany  property  includes  land in excess of current
needs, the Company has received approval to construct two additional  buildings,
one of which it is currently developing for itself;  conversely, it may sell the
excess land and development rights to others.

     The  Company  is a party to a ground  lease  with  respect  to 383  Madison
Avenue,  New York, New York which  provides for the  development of this site as
its new world headquarters. The office tower under construction will contain 1.2
million  square feet and is scheduled to be completed by the  expiration  of the
current lease at 245 Park Avenue in 2002.

ITEM 3.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     The Company and Bear Stearns have been named as  defendants  in lawsuits in
the normal course of business  which  involve  claims for  substantial  amounts.
Although the ultimate  outcome of these matters  cannot be  ascertained  at this
time, it is the opinion of management, after consultation with counsel, that the
resolution  of such  matters  will not have a  material  adverse  effect  on the
results of  operations  or the  financial  condition of the Company,  taken as a
whole.

      A.I.A. Holding,  S.A., et al. v. Lehman Brothers,  Inc., et al. On July 8,
1997,  277 alleged  customers  of Ahmad Ihsan  El-Daouk  ("Daouk")  commenced an
action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
against Lehman Brothers,  Inc.  ("Lehman") and Bear Stearns.  Plaintiffs alleged
that Daouk, acting




                                     - 13 -





through  corporations he controlled,  entered into introducing broker agreements
with  Lehman  and  then  Bear  Stearns,  and  that he  arranged  for each of the
plaintiffs to invest funds with Lehman and/or Bear Stearns.

      On July 3,  1998,  276 of the 277  original  plaintiffs  filed an  amended
complaint against Lehman and Bear Stearns.  As amended,  the complaint  alleges,
among other things,  that the  defendants  committed  breach of fiduciary  duty,
fraud,  constructive fraud, breach of contract,  negligent hiring, retention and
supervision,  aided and abetted fraud and aided and abetted  breach of fiduciary
duty in connection with alleged improper  trading  activities in the accounts of
Daouk's customers.  Plaintiffs seek compensatory  damages in unspecified amounts
and  imposition  of  constructive  trusts  with  respect  to any  property  that
"belongs, or may belong" to plaintiffs in Lehman's or Bear Stearns' possession.

      On May 8, 1998,  Bear  Stearns  and  Lehman  jointly  filed  counterclaims
against certain plaintiffs for unjust enrichment,  monies had and received,  and
for return of funds  fraudulently  conveyed  and filed a third  party  claim for
contribution against Sigma International Limited S.A.R.L.

      On August 12, 1998, Bear Stearns and Lehman filed an answer to the amended
complaint denying liability.

      On January 28, 1999, the court dismissed with prejudice all  counterclaims
asserted by Lehman  Brothers and Bear Stearns against certain of the plaintiffs,
other  than  the  counterclaim   seeking   contribution  from  plaintiff  Monhem
Nassereddine, which was dismissed with leave to replead.

      On May 5, 1999,  the court granted  permission to 21 moving  plaintiffs to
dismiss  their  cases  with  prejudice  on the  condition  that each  provides a
covenant not to sue and a release.

      Bear Stearns has denied all allegations of wrongdoing  asserted against it
in this  litigation  and  believes  that it has  substantial  defenses  to these
claims.

      Alpha  Group  Consultants,  et al. v.  Weintraub,  et al./In re  Weintraub
Entertainment  Group  Litigation.  On January 31, 1991, a purported class action
was commenced in the United States  District Court for the Southern  District of
California  on  behalf  of a  class  consisting  of all  persons  who  purchased
Weintraub  Entertainment Group ("WEG") debentures and warrants during the period
January 23, 1987 through October 1, 1990.  Named as defendants are WEG (a debtor
in  bankruptcy,  named as a defendant  only to the extent  permitted  by federal
bankruptcy law),  certain directors and officers of WEG and Bear Stearns,  which
acted as the placement agent in WEG's private placement.

      Plaintiffs  allege,  among  other  things,  that the  defendants  violated
Sections  12(2) and 15 of the  Securities  Act of 1933 (the  "Securities  Act"),
Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act") and Rule  10b-5  promulgated  thereunder,  the  Racketeer  Influenced  and
Corrupt  Organizations Act ("RICO"),  California state statutes,  and common law
duties  allegedly owed to the plaintiffs in connection  with allegedly false and
misleading  statements  concerning WEG's financial condition,  the experience of
certain WEG  officers,  the  intended  use of proceeds  from the sale of the WEG
securities, the prospects for a public market for WEG securities, WEG's business
plans, and certain terms of WEG's contracts with  distributors.  Plaintiffs seek
compensatory, punitive and treble damages in unspecified amounts.

      On May 12,  1993,  Bear  Stearns  filed an answer  denying  liability  and
asserting  affirmative  defenses.  On May 10,  1993,  the court  entered a final
judgment and order approving a settlement  among plaintiffs and the WEG director
and officer  defendants.  On  September  15,  1993,  the court  entered an order
granting  class  certification.  On April 22, 1994,  the court  granted  summary
judgment in favor of Bear Stearns on all claims.

      On July 15, 1997, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
reversed the district  court's grant of summary  judgment in  connection  with a
statement in the offering materials provided to investors  concerning the timing
of the payment of guaranteed advances by certain motion picture  distributors to
WEG. The Ninth  Circuit  affirmed the  district  court's  dismissal of all other
claims in the litigation.




                                     - 14 -





      On August 21, 1998, a jury returned a verdict against Bear Stearns finding
that statements in the offering  materials  relating to the timing of payment of
guaranteed  advances to WEG were false and misleading.  The jury awarded damages
to one of the  three  named  plaintiffs  in the  amount  of  approximately  $6.5
million.

      On May  12,  1999,  the  court:  (i)  granted  Bear  Stearns'  motion  for
reconsideration  of the  denial  of Bear  Stearns'  motion  for a new  trial and
ordered a new trial with  respect to the issue of reliance  with  respect to the
named plaintiffs and the intervenor  plaintiff,  the Pension Reserve  Investment
Trust;  (ii) granted Bear Stearns' motion for summary  judgment  against certain
absent class members;  (iii) granted  plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment as
to liability with respect to certain  absent class members  (Kugler and Columbia
Savings);  and (iv) granted  plaintiffs' motion for a summary  adjudication that
causation is established for all of the absent class members.

      On August 5, 1999, the court granted  plaintiffs'  motion as to Kugler and
Columbia  Savings'  damages and determined that their damages are  approximately
$350,000 and $5.5 million,  respectively. The court also invited Bear Stearns to
move for a new trial with respect to the issue of damages suffered by Kugler and
Columbia Savings or, in the alternative, for remittitur. On September 13,  1999,
Bear Stearns moved for a new trial.

      Amalgamated  Insurance  Fund-Insurance Fund, et al. v. Bear, Stearns & Co.
Inc., et al./Alico  Services  Corp.,  Alico Resources Corp. and Pension Plan for
Employees of Amalgamated Life Insurance Company v. Bear,  Stearns & Co. Inc., et
al. On January 9, 1997,  five former Bear Stearns  brokerage  customers  who are
employee  welfare  benefit  plans or employee  pension  benefit  plans under the
Employee  Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA")  commenced a NASD arbitration
proceeding against Bear Stearns, a former Bear Stearns account executive and two
current Bear Stearns employees (the "Amalgamated proceeding").

      The claimants  allege,  among other things,  unauthorized  and  unsuitable
trading and churning in their  accounts  involving  derivative  securities.  The
claimants assert claims based upon breach of fiduciary duty, breach of fiduciary
duty under ERISA, participation in breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract,
common law fraud,  securities fraud,  negligent  misrepresentation,  negligence,
investing in unsuitable  securities,  failure to supervise and churning,  unjust
enrichment,  and  violations of the Sherman  Antitrust Act and the Donnelly Act.
Claimants seek compensatory  damages in excess of $40 million,  and punitive and
treble damages in unspecified amounts.

      On May 14,  1997,  Bear  Stearns  filed an answer  denying  liability  and
asserting affirmative defenses, counterclaims and third-party claims that allege
that certain trustees of the plans and registered  investment  advisors hired by
the plans are solely  responsible  for any  losses  suffered  by the funds,  and
seeking, among other things, indemnification and contribution.

      On May 2, 1997, three additional former Bear Stearns  brokerage  customers
commenced an NASD arbitration proceeding against the same respondents, including
Bear Stearns,  alleging  essentially the same claims, based upon essentially the
same  facts  and  circumstances  and,  once  again,  seeking  damages  including
unspecified compensatory,  punitive and treble damages (the "Alico proceeding").
One of the three claimants in the Alico proceeding  purports to assert claims as
assignee of claims  purportedly  assigned to it by 17 other pension and benefits
funds that formerly were brokerage customers of Bear Stearns.

      The parties have reached an agreement to settle the  Amalgamated and Alico
proceedings without any admission of wrongdoing by the Bear Stearns defendants.

      A.R.  Baron &  Company,  Inc.  The  following  matters  arise  out of Bear
Stearns' role as clearing broker for A.R. Baron & Company,  Inc.  ("Baron") from
July 20, 1995 through June 28, 1996.

      (i)   John Berwecky, et al. v. Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., et al./Jack Perry
v. Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., et al. On July 21 and August 22, 1997, shareholders
of companies whose  securities were  underwritten by, or that otherwise had some
relationship  with  Baron  (these  securities  are  referred  to below as "Baron
securities")  commenced two actions in the United States  District Court for the
Southern District of New York against Bear Stearns, BSSC and a managing director
of Bear Stearns.




                                     - 15 -





      On January 13,  1998, the Berwecky and Perry cases were  consolidated  for
all purposes and lead plaintiffs and lead counsel for plaintiffs were appointed.
On April 1, 1998, an amended  consolidated  class action complaint was filed. As
amended,  the complaint  alleges,  among other things,  that the  defendants and
Baron engaged in a scheme to manipulate the market for and to inflate the prices
of the Baron  securities.  Plaintiffs  allege  violations of Sections  10(b) and
20(a) of the  Exchange  Act and Rule 10b-5  promulgated  thereunder.  Plaintiffs
purport to  represent  a class  consisting  of all persons  who  acquired  Baron
securities  from Baron  between July 20, 1995 and June 28,  1996.  Damages in an
unspecified amount are sought.

      On December 1, 1998,  defendants filed an answer to the complaint in which
they denied liability and asserted affirmative defenses.

      Bear Stearns has denied all allegations of wrongdoing  asserted against it
in this  litigation  and  believes  that it has  substantial  defenses  to these
claims.

      (ii)   Richard  Schwarz v. Bear,  Stearns & Co.  Inc.,  et al. On July 22,
1997, a customer of Baron  commenced an action in the Supreme Court of the State
of New York, New York County, against Bear Stearns and BSSC.

      The complaint alleges,  among other things, that Baron engaged in a scheme
to manipulate the market for and to inflate the prices of Baron securities,  and
that Bear Stearns and BSSC, as clearing  broker,  wrongfully  permitted Baron to
continue in business.  Plaintiff  alleges  violations  of the New York  Consumer
Protection Act, common law negligence and negligent misrepresentation. Plaintiff
purports to represent a class  consisting  of all persons who were  customers of
Baron from July 20, 1995 through  July 3, 1996.  Plaintiff  seeks  damages in an
unspecified amount.

      On August 24, 1998, the court dismissed this action.

      On October 8, 1998, plaintiff filed a notice of appeal.

      (iii)   Fezanni, et al. v. Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., et al. On February 2,
1999,  an action was  commenced  in the  United  States  District  Court for the
Southern  District of New York by eleven  individuals or entities that allegedly
purchased certain securities underwritten by Baron. Named as defendants are Bear
Stearns,  BSSC, an officer of BSSC,  thirteen  former  officers and employees of
Baron,  and 33 other  individuals  and entities that allegedly  participated  in
alleged  misconduct by Baron  involving  attempts to  manipulate  the market for
securities  underwritten by Baron.  The complaint  alleges that the Bear Stearns
defendants  violated  Sections  9 and 10(b) of the  Exchange  Act and Rule 10b-5
promulgated  thereunder and RICO, aided and abetted breach of fiduciary duty and
committed  common law fraud in connection with providing  clearing  services and
financing for Baron.  The  complaint  seeks to recover  compensatory  damages in
excess of $6.5 million, treble damages in excess $19.5 million, punitive damages
of $6.5  million  from each  defendant  other than Bear  Stearns  and BSSC,  and
punitive damages in the aggregate of $130 million from Bear Stearns and BSSC.

      On July 30,  1999,  the Bear  Stearns  defendants  moved  to  dismiss  the
complaint.

      (iv)   110958 Ontario Inc. v. Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., et al. On February
19, 1997, a brokerage customer of Baron commenced an NASD arbitration proceeding
against Bear Stearns,  BSSC and three Bear Stearns directors and/or officers. On
September 9, 1997, an amended  Statement of Claim was filed.  Claimant  alleges,
among other things,  that  defendants  violated  Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the
Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5  promulgated  thereunder,  and committed  common law
fraud, breach of contract, and negligence, in connection with alleged misconduct
by Baron (for whom Bear Stearns acted as clearing broker), Baron's principal and
Baron's parent corporation,  The Baron Group Inc. ("BGI"), including engaging in
unauthorized trading in claimant's  brokerage account and fraudulently  inducing
claimant  to give  Baron a secured  demand  note and to invest in BGI.  Claimant
seeks compensatory damages of $22 million and punitive damages of $75 million.




                                     - 16 -





      Bear Stearns has denied all allegations of wrongdoing  asserted against it
in this arbitration  proceeding and believes that it has substantial defenses to
these claims.

     (v) On August 5, 1999, the SEC instituted,  and simultaneously  agreed with
BSSC,  to settle an  administrative  proceeding  against BSSC relating to BSSC's
role as a clearing  broker for Baron.  Under the terms of the  agreement,  BSSC,
without  admitting  or denying any  wrongdoing,  consented  to the issuance of a
cease and desist  order with  respect  to  allegations  that BSSC was a cause of
Baron's  violations of Section 17(a) of the  Securities Act and Section 10(b) of
the  Exchange  Act and Rule 10b-5  promulgated  thereunder,  that BSSC aided and
abetted  Baron's  violations  of Sections  15(c)(2) and 15(c)(3) of the Exchange
Act, and that BSSC violated Sections 7 and 17(a) of the Exchange Act and Federal
Reserve Board  Regulation T in connection with providing  clearing  services for
Baron.  BSSC also agreed to the  appointment of an independent  consultant to be
selected  by the SEC to  conduct  a  review  of  various  BSSC  supervisory  and
compliance   procedures,   the  payment  of  a  fine  of  $5  million,  and  the
establishment  of a restitution fund of $30 million which will be used to settle
certain private claims. Separately,  BSSC entered into an agreement with the New
York County District Attorney's Office ("NYDAO"),  in which it has agreed to pay
$1.5 million to the NYDAO for the costs of its investigation.  BSSC's payment of
$30 million to the  restitution  fund  described  above to satisfy the claims of
customers  will also fulfill  BSSC's  restitution  obligation  in the  agreement
entered into by BSSC and the NYDAO.  BSSC has further agreed to make payments of
$1 million to the State of New York and $1 million to the City of New York. BSSC
has been  informed  that the  District  Attorney  has stated that no criminal or
other charges will be filed against BSSC or Bear Stearns.

      In re Blech Securities  Litigation.  On October 24, 1994, a shareholder of
certain  biotechnology  companies whose securities were underwritten by, or that
otherwise  had some  relationship  with,  D. Blech & Co.  ("Blech  Securities"),
commenced  an action  in the  United  States  District  Court  for the  Southern
District of New York against D. Blech & Co., David Blech, certain money managers
and investment advisors,  and Bear Stearns, which had been a clearing broker for
D. Blech & Co. from September 1993 through September 1994. On December 14, 1994,
the action was consolidated  with three related  actions.  On March 27, 1995, an
amended  consolidated  class action  complaint was filed.  On June 6, 1996,  the
court  dismissed,  with  leave to  replead,  all  claims  in the  first  amended
complaint  asserted  against Bear  Stearns.  On July 26, 1996, a second  amended
consolidated complaint was filed.

      Plaintiffs'  current  pleading  alleges,  among other things,  a scheme to
manipulate  the market for and to inflate  the prices of Blech  Securities,  and
alleges that Bear Stearns violated  Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act
and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder,  and committed common law fraud. On April
2, 1997, the court dismissed plaintiffs' Section 20(a) claim. Plaintiffs purport
to represent a class  consisting of persons who purchased Blech  Securities from
July 1, 1991 through  September  21, 1994 in a public  offering or in the public
market. Plaintiffs seek damages in an unspecified amount.

      On May 16,  1997,  Bear  Stearns  filed an answer  denying  liability  and
asserting affirmative defenses.

      On May 11, 1999, the court  certified the following  sub-classes:  (i) all
persons who traded Blech  Securities in the "primary market" between October 21,
1991 and September 21, 1994; (ii) all persons who traded Blech Securities in the
"secondary  market"  between  October 21, 1991 and September 21, 1994; and (iii)
all  persons  who  traded  Blech  Securities  in the  secondary  market  between
September 27, 1993, the date on which Bear Stearns became a clearing  broker for
D. Blech & Co., Inc., and September 21, 1994.

      Bear Stearns has denied all allegations of wrongdoing  asserted against it
in this  litigation  and  believes  that it has  substantial  defenses  to these
claims.

      Crescent Porter Hale Foundation,  et al. v. Bob K. Pryt, et al. On October
19,  1998,  an  action  was  commenced  in the  Superior  Court of the  State of
California,  San Francisco  County,  by limited  partners of BKP Partners,  L.P.
("BKP"),  an  investment  fund that  allegedly  engaged in a  fraudulent  scheme
involving unsuitable and excessively risky investments.  Named as defendants are
BKP,  an  individual  who  allegedly  acted as the general  partner of BKP,  BKP
Capital  Management LLC, Bear Stearns,  BSSC,  Deloitte & Touche and a certified
public  accountant  who  reviewed  certain of BKP's  financial  statements.  The
complaint  alleges,  among  other  things,  that  the  Bear  Stearns  defendants
committed common law fraud,  negligent  misrepresentation  and civil conspiracy,
breached a




                                     - 17 -





fiduciary  duty and the covenant of good faith and fair  dealing,  and aided and
abetted a breach of  fiduciary  duty and a breach of the  covenant of good faith
and fair dealing, in connection with BSSC acting as BKP's prime broker, engaging
in securities  transaction  with or on behalf of BKP, and making margin loans to
BKP. Compensatory damages in excess of $100 million are sought.

      On January 8, 1999,  the court  granted  defendants'  motion to compel the
plaintiffs to arbitrate the claims asserted in this action.

      On April 28, 1999,  the  California  Court of Appeals  denied  plaintiffs'
petition seeking reversal of the lower court order compelling  arbitration,  and
on June 30,  1999,  the  California  Supreme  Court  denied  review of the order
compelling arbitration.

      In re Daisy Systems Corporation,  Debtor. On May 30, 1991, a Trustee for
Daisy   Systems   Corporation   ("Daisy"),   a  debtor  in   bankruptcy,   and
Daisy/Cadnetix,  Inc.  ("DCI") filed a complaint in the United States District
Court  for the  Northern  District  of  California  on behalf of Daisy and DCI
against Bear Stearns and six former directors of Cadnetix,  Inc.  ("Cadnetix")
and/or a Cadnetix  subsidiary.  The litigation arises out of Daisy's retention
of Bear Stearns in 1988 to provide  investment  banking services to Daisy with
respect to a potential  merger of Daisy with  Cadnetix.  On March 20,  1992, a
first  amended  complaint  was filed,  and on July 24, 1992, a second  amended
complaint was filed.

      The second  amended  complaint  alleges,  among other things,  that Bear
Stearns was  negligent in  performing  its due  diligence  with respect to the
merger and in advising  Daisy that it was "highly  confident"  that  financing
could be obtained to fund the merger.  The Trustee  alleges  that Bear Stearns
breached fiduciary duties to Daisy, committed professional  malpractice in its
efforts on Daisy's  behalf,  made negligent  representations  upon which Daisy
relied,  breached a covenant  of good  faith and fair  dealing  implied in its
contracts  with  Daisy,  and  should  have its  unsecured  claim in the  Daisy
bankruptcy  proceeding  equitably  subrogated  to  the  claims  of  all  other
claimants  in the  bankruptcy.  The Trustee  seeks  compensatory  and punitive
damages in unspecified amounts.

      On February 3, 1993, the court dismissed  plaintiffs'  breach of fiduciary
duty and equitable  subrogation  claims.  On August 12, 1994,  the court granted
summary  judgment  dismissing  all remaining  claims  against Bear Stearns,  and
denying a motion by the Trustee to file a third amended complaint.

      On September  24, 1996,  the United  States Court of Appeals for the Ninth
Circuit  affirmed  the  dismissal  of  the  negligent  misrepresentation  claim,
reinstated the Trustee's  negligence claim and reversed the denial of the motion
for leave to amend the breach of fiduciary duty claim,  and remanded the case to
the district court for further proceedings.

      On August 15, 1997,  Bear Stearns  filed an answer  denying  liability and
asserting affirmative defenses.

      On May 15,  1998, a jury returned a verdict  finding that Bear Stearns had
committed  professional   negligence  and  awarded  damages  in  the  amount  of
$108,000,000.  The jury  also  found  that Bear  Stearns  had not  breached  any
fiduciary  duties.  On August 7, 1998,  the court  issued an order  denying Bear
Stearns'  motion for  judgment  as a matter of law and, at  plaintiffs'  option,
either   granting  Bear  Stearns'   motion  for  remittitur  in  the  amount  of
approximately $36,000,000 or granting Bear Stearns' motion for a new trial.

      On or around  December 2, 1998,  plaintiffs  accepted  remittitur,  and on
December 3, 1998,  judgment  was entered  against  Bear Stearns in the amount of
$36,073,196 plus costs of $138,826.63.

      On December 29, 1998, Bear Stearns filed a notice of appeal.  On
February 11, 1999, plaintiffs filed a notice of cross-appeal.

      Del Rosario, et al. v. Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc., et al. On March 7, 1997,
three  former Bear Stearns  brokerage  customers  commenced an NASD  arbitration
proceeding  against Bear Stearns,  a former Bear Stearns  account  executive and
Smith Barney, Inc.




                                     - 18 -





      The claimants allege, among other things,  unauthorized wire transfers and
unauthorized  and unsuitable  trading in their  accounts.  The claimants  assert
claims based upon fraud, churning, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence,  breach
of contract,  failure to supervise the claimants'  accounts and conspiracy.  The
claimants  seek  compensatory  damages  in excess of $20  million  and  punitive
damages in an unspecified amount.

      On June 27,  1997,  Bear Stearns  filed an answer  denying  liability  and
asserting affirmative defenses.

      Bear Stearns has denied all allegations of wrongdoing  asserted against it
in the Del Rosario  proceeding and believes that it has substantial  defenses to
the claims in this proceeding.

      In March 1997, a related NASD arbitration  proceeding  captioned Parvus
Co. Ltd. v. Bear,  Stearns & Co. Inc.,  et al. was  commenced by a former Bear
Stearns'  customer  against  Bear  Stearns and a former Bear  Stearns  account
executive.

      The claimant alleges,  among other things, that the respondents  committed
breach  of  fiduciary  duty,  negligence,  breach of  contract  and  failure  to
supervise,  and  violated  NASD,  SEC and New  York  Stock  Exchange  Rules,  in
connection with unauthorized wire transfers from its account. The claimant seeks
damages in excess of $15 million.

      On June 13,  1997,  Bear Stearns  filed an answer  denying  liability  and
asserting affirmative defenses.

      The  parties  have  reached  an  agreement  in  principle  to settle  this
proceeding.

      Deutch v.  Silverman,  et al. On April 27, 1998, a shareholder  of Cendant
Corp.  ("Cendant")  commenced a purported derivative action on behalf of Cendant
in the United States  District  Court for the District of New Jersey against the
Company,  Bear Stearns, and certain present and former directors and/or officers
of Cendant,  CUC  International,  Inc.  ("CUC")  and/or HFS, Inc.  ("HFS").  The
Complaint  alleges,  among  other  things,  that  the  Bear  Stearns  defendants
committed gross  negligence in connection with acting as a financial  advisor to
HFS with  respect to a merger  between  CUC and HFS.  Damages in an  unspecified
amount are sought.

      On August 9, 1999, the court granted the Bear Stearns  defendants'  motion
to dismiss the claims asserted against them in this action.

      Bernard H. Glatzer v. Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. On May 11, 1993, Bernard H.
Glatzer  commenced  an action in the  District  Court of Harris  County,  Texas,
against,  among others,  Bear Stearns. On October 11, 1993, the case was removed
to the United States District Court for the Southern  District of Texas,  and on
January 23, 1995 the case was  transferred  to the United States  District Court
for the  Southern  District of New York.  Plaintiff  alleges that he devised and
presented "a novel,  elegant,  original and unique  business plan" for financing
independent  oil and gas  production  by  independent  oil and gas companies and
presented  this plan to Bear  Stearns  on a  confidential  basis,  and that Bear
Stearns  utilized  plaintiff's  business plan as part of services it provided to
another corporate entity.

      Plaintiff alleges,  among other things, theft and misuse of trade secrets,
misappropriation,   breach  of  fiduciary  duty,   tortious   interference  with
contractual   opportunity,    prospective   business   relationship,    business
opportunity,   contractual  advantage  and/or  contractual   relations,   unjust
enrichment, quantum meruit/quasi-contract, fraud and conspiracy. Plaintiff seeks
damages in the amount of $200  million and  punitive  damages in an  unspecified
amount.

      On July 21,  1997,  Bear Stearns  filed an answer  denying  liability  and
asserting  affirmative  defenses.  On June 10, 1998,  the District Court granted
summary  judgment  in favor of Bear  Stearns on all of  plaintiff's  claims.  On
June 23, 1998, plaintiff filed a notice of appeal.

      On October 28,  1998,  the  parties  reached an  agreement  to settle this
action.

      Goldberger  v. Bear,  Stearns & Co.  Inc.,  et al./ Bier,  et al. v. Bear,
Stearns & Co.  Inc.,  et al./ On  December  8, 1998 and  February  8, 1999,  two
purported  class actions were commenced in the United States  District Court for




                                     - 19 -





     the  Southern  District of New York on behalf of all persons who  purchased
securities  through  certain  retail  brokerage  firms for which  BSSC  provided
clearing  services and financing during the period from December 8, 1992 through
December  8, 1998.  On April 5,  1999,  the  Goldberger  and Bier  actions  were
consolidated for all purposes,  and on August 27, 1999, an amended  consolidated
complaint  was filed on behalf of the same  purported  class as in the  original
complaints.  Named as defendants are Bear Stearns,  BSSC and an officer of BSSC.
The complaint alleges, among other things, that the defendants violated Sections
10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5  promulgated  thereunder  and
committed breach of contract,  common law fraud and negligent  misrepresentation
in connection with providing  clearing  services and financing for the brokerage
firms named in the complaint.  Compensatory  and punitive damages in unspecified
amounts are sought.

      In re Granite Partners,  L.P., Granite  Corporation and Quartz Hedge Fund.
On April 7, 1994, Granite Partners, L.P., Granite Corporation,  and Quartz Hedge
Fund (the "Funds"),  three investment funds managed by Askin Capital  Management
L.P. ("ACM") and David J. Askin ("Askin"),  commenced a bankruptcy proceeding in
the United States  Bankruptcy Court for the Southern  District of New York after
suffering losses in mortgage-backed  securities and related  instruments.  Seven
actions  involving Bear Stearns relating to the Funds are pending.  Six of these
actions involve  allegations  that,  among other things,  Bear Stearns,  Kidder,
Peabody & Co., Inc. and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation (the
"Dealer  Defendants")  misrepresented  and/or encouraged ACM to purchase certain
securities  despite the alleged  inappropriateness  of those  securities for the
investment funds ACM was managing, that the Dealer Defendants allegedly provided
inflated  performance  marks,  that the  Dealer  Defendants  allegedly  provided
excessive  financing  to the  Funds,  and that the Dealer  Defendants  otherwise
departed from the standards of ordinary  care. The seventh of these actions also
involves allegations that Bear Stearns, among other things, made improper margin
calls and wrongfully  liquidated the Funds'  positions after the Funds defaulted
on their obligations.

      (i)   Primavera  Familienstiftung  v. David J. Askin,  et al. On September
20,  1995,   Primavera   Familienstiftung,   a  purported  investor  in  Granite
Corporation,  amended its  complaint in a previously  filed action in the United
States District Court for the Northern District of California to include for the
first time claims  against the Dealer  Defendants.  Also named as defendants are
Askin and ACM (the  "Askin  Defendants").  The  complaint  alleges,  among other
things, that the Dealer Defendants aided and abetted an alleged fraud, committed
common  law fraud,  aided and  abetted a breach of  fiduciary  duty by the Askin
Defendants,  committed breach of contract,  and violated Uniform Commercial Code
provisions  and  Sections  10(b) and 20(a) of the  Exchange  Act and Rule  10b-5
promulgated  thereunder.  Plaintiff  seeks to recover the amount it paid for its
interest in the Funds  (alleged to be  approximately  $1 million)  and  punitive
damages in an unspecified amount.

      On October  18,  1996,  the action was  transferred  to the United  States
District  Court for the Southern  District of New York. On August 22, 1996,  the
court  dismissed all claims,  but granted  plaintiff  leave to replead its claim
that the Dealer  Defendants  aided and  abetted  an  alleged  fraud by the Askin
Defendants. On November 8, 1996, a third amended complaint was filed.

      On July 11, 1997,  Bear Stearns filed an answer to the  complaint  denying
liability and asserting affirmative defenses.

      On October 27, 1997,  this action was  consolidated  with the ABF Capital,
Montpellier and Johnston actions (described below) for pre-trial purposes.

      On March 19, 1998, plaintiff's motion for class certification was denied.

      On February 12, 1999, this action was consolidated with the Bambou and AIG
actions (described below) for pre-trial purposes.

      (ii)   ABF Capital Management,  et al. v. Askin Capital Management,  L.P.,
et al.  On March  27,  1996,  certain  other  purported  investors  in the Funds
commenced an action in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New
York,  against ACM and the Dealer  Defendants.  On April 24, 1996,  the case was
removed to the United  States  District  Court for the Southern  District of New
York.  Plaintiffs allege,  among other things,  that the




                                     - 20 -






Dealer  Defendants aided and abetted fraud,  aided and abetted an alleged breach
of fiduciary duty by ACM, were unjustly enriched and violated RICO.

      On January 24, 1997, the court dismissed all claims other than plaintiffs'
claim  that the Dealer  Defendants  aided and  abetted an alleged  fraud by ACM.
Plaintiffs  seek to recover the amounts the plaintiffs  paid for their interests
in the Funds (alleged to be approximately  $230 million),  an unspecified amount
of allegedly unjust enrichment, treble damages, and punitive damages of not less
than $1 billion from each defendant.

      On  February  28,  1997,  Bear  Stearns  filed an answer to the  complaint
denying liability and asserting affirmative defenses.

      On October 27,  1997,  this  action was  consolidated  with the  Primavera
action  (described  above) and the Montpellier and Johnston  actions  (described
below) for pretrial purposes.

      On March 19, 1998, plaintiffs' motion for class certification was denied.

      On February 12, 1999, this action was consolidated with the Bambou and AIG
actions (described below) for pre-trial purposes.

      (iii)   Montpellier  Resources,  Ltd., et al. v. Bear  Stearns,  et al. On
March 14,  1997,  three  purported  investors  in the Funds  commenced an action
against ACM and the Dealer  Defendants in the United States  District  Court for
the Southern District of New York. On June 2, 1997, the complaint was amended to
add sixteen additional plaintiffs.

      Plaintiffs'  allegations  are  substantially  similar  to those in the ABF
Capital  action (as  modified  by the Court's  ruling on the Dealer  Defendants'
motion to dismiss in that action). Plaintiffs seek recovery of their investments
(alleged to have been  approximately  $34 million for the named  plaintiffs) and
punitive damages of not less than $1 billion from each defendant.

      On July 7, 1997,  Bear Stearns  filed an answer to the  complaint  denying
liability and asserting affirmative defenses.

      On October 27, 1997, this action was consolidated with the ABF Capital and
Primavera  actions  (described  above) and the Johnston action (described below)
for pretrial purposes.

      On March 19, 1998, plaintiffs' motion for class certification was denied.

      On February 12, 1999, this action was consolidated with the Bambou and AIG
actions (described below) for pre-trial purposes.

      (iv)   Richard Johnston, et al. v. Askin Capital Management,  L.P., et al.
On June 9, 1997,  three purported  investors in the Funds commenced an action in
the United States  District Court for the Southern  District of New York against
ACM and the Dealer Defendants. Plaintiffs' allegations are substantially similar
to those in the ABF Capital  action (as  modified  by the Court's  ruling on the
Dealer Defendants'  motion to dismiss in that action).  Plaintiffs seek recovery
of their  investments  (alleged  to have  been  approximately  $6  million)  and
punitive damages in excess of $100 million from each defendant.

      On August 18, 1997, Bear Stearns filed an answer to the complaint  denying
liability and asserting affirmative defenses.

      On October 27, 1997, this action was consolidated with the Primavera,  ABF
Capital and Montpellier actions (described above) for pretrial purposes.




                                     - 21 -





      On February 12, 1999, this action was consolidated with the Bambou and AIG
actions (described below) for pre-trial purposes.

      (v)   Bambou  Inc., et al. v. David J. Askin, et al. On September 4, 1998,
an action was  commenced in the United  States  District  Court for the Southern
District of New York by four purported investors in the Funds against Askin, ACM
and the Dealer Defendants. Plaintiffs allege, among other things, that the Askin
Defendants  committed  fraud and that the Dealer  Defendants  aided and  abetted
fraud.  Plaintiffs  seek to recover their  investments  in the Funds (alleged to
have been approximately $9 million) and punitive damages in unspecified amounts.

      On September  24,  1998,  Bear  Stearns  filed an answer to the  complaint
denying liability and asserting affirmative defenses.

      On February 12, 1999, this action was consolidated with the Primavera,
ABF Capital, Montpellier and Johnston actions (described above) and the AIG
action (described below) for pre-trial purposes.

      (vi)   AIG   Managed   Market  Neutral  Fund,  et  al.  v.  Askin  Capital
Management,  L.P., et al. On October 22, 1998,  ten  purported  investors in the
Funds  commenced an action in the United States  District Court for the Southern
District of New York against Askin,  ACM and the Dealer  Defendants.  Plaintiffs
allege,  among other  things,  that the Dealer  Defendants  aided and abetted an
alleged fraud  committed by the Askin  Defendants and aided and abetted a breach
of fiduciary duty by ACM.  Plaintiffs  seek to recover their  investments in the
Funds (alleged to have been approximately $39.5 million) and punitive damages in
excess of $1 billion from each Dealer Defendant.

      On February 12, 1999, this action was consolidated with the Primavera, ABF
Capital,  Montpellier,   Johnston  and  Bambou  actions  (described  above)  for
pre-trial purposes.

      (vii)   Granite Partners, L.P., et al. v. Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., et al.
On  September  12, 1996, a Trustee  appointed by the  Bankruptcy  Court filed an
adversary  proceeding  on behalf  of the Funds  against  Bear  Stearns  and Bear
Stearns Capital Markets in the United States  Bankruptcy  Court for the Southern
District of New York.

      On December 2, 1996,  the reference of this case to the  Bankruptcy  Court
was withdrawn,  and the case now is pending in the United States  District Court
for the Southern  District of New York. On March 3, 1997, the  Bankruptcy  Court
ordered  that control of the  litigation  be  transferred  from the Trustee to a
Litigation  Advisory Board (the "LAB")  consisting of seven  members,  including
five purported  investors in the Funds.  On August 4, 1997, LAB filed an amended
complaint,  which was dismissed on August 25, 1998,  and on October 16, 1998 the
LAB filed a second amended complaint against Bear Stearns,  Bear Stearns Capital
Markets,  a  Senior  Managing  Director  of Bear  Stearns,  Donaldson,  Lufkin &
Jenrette  Securities  Corporation  ("DLJ"),  a senior vice president of DLJ, and
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.

      The second amended complaint alleges, among other things, that one or more
defendants  induced and  participated in breaches of fiduciary duty by Askin and
ACM,  tortiously  interfered with contracts  between the Funds and ACM, breached
their  contracts  with and duty to the Funds through  improper  margin calls and
liquidations,  violated the Sherman Act and the Donnelly Act in connection  with
allegedly collusive  liquidations,  tortiously interfered with contracts between
the  Funds  and  other   dealers,   committed   common  law   fraud,   negligent
misrepresentation   and  innocent   misrepresentation,   and  unjustly  enriched
themselves. The complaint seeks compensatory and punitive damages in unspecified
amounts  (there is alleged  to have been  approximately  $400  million in equity
invested in the Funds prior to  liquidation),  rescission of the purchase  price
paid by the Funds for  certain  securities,  treble  damages  for the  antitrust
claims,  and  restitution  of certain  profits  and  compensation  earned by the
defendants in connection with the Funds.

      On December  22,  1998,  defendants  moved to dismiss  the second  amended
complaint  except for claims  alleging  breach of  contract in  connection  with
improper margin calls and liquidations.

      Bear  Stearns has  reached an  agreement  in  principle  to resolve  these
litigations,  subject to certain approvals,  and is in the process of attempting
to conclude these settlements.




                                     - 22 -





      Henryk de  Kwiatkowski  v. Bear,  Stearns & Co.  Inc.,  et al. On June 25,
1996, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York by a former  customer  against  Bear  Stearns,  BSSC,  Bear
Stearns  Forex,  Inc. and a registered  representative.  On November 4, 1996, an
amended complaint was filed, and on October 22, 1998, a second amended complaint
was filed against the same individual and entities that were named as defendants
in the  original  complaint.  As amended,  the  complaint  alleges,  among other
things,  claims for breach of fiduciary  duty and  negligence  and violations of
Section 4(0) of the Commodity  Exchange Act. Plaintiff seeks to recover at least
$300 million in losses and at least $100 million in punitive damages.

      On  November  5, 1998,  defendants  filed an answer to the second  amended
complaint in which they denied liability and asserted affirmative defenses.

      Bear Stearns has denied all allegations of wrongdoing  asserted against it
in this  litigation  and  believes  that it has  substantial  defenses  to these
claims.

      In re Lady Luck Gaming  Corporation  Securities  Litigation.  Beginning in
March 1995, a series of actions were  commenced  in the United  States  District
Court for the District of Nevada involving an initial public offering ("IPO") of
4,500,000 shares of Lady Luck Corporation ("Lady Luck") on September 29, 1993. A
consolidated  class action  complaint  was filed on August 14, 1995 and a second
amended class action complaint was filed on October 31, 1996. The defendants are
Bear Stearns,  Oppenheimer & Co.,  Inc.  ("Oppenheimer"),  Lady Luck and several
directors and officers of Lady Luck.  Bear Stearns and  Oppenheimer  are sued in
their capacities as co-lead underwriters of the IPO.

      Plaintiffs' second amended complaint alleges, among other things, that the
prospectus  issued  in  connection  with  the IPO (the  "Prospectus")  contained
certain  false  or   misleading   statements   concerning   Lady  Luck  and  the
casino-gaming industry as a whole.  Plaintiffs allege violations of Sections 11,
12(2) and 15 of the  Securities Act and Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange
Act against  Bear  Stearns and  Oppenheimer.  Plaintiffs  purport to represent a
class consisting of all persons who purchased shares of Lady Luck from September
29, 1993 to October 11, 1994.

      On October 8, 1997, the court  dismissed with prejudice all of plaintiffs'
claims under  Sections  10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and dismissed  with
prejudice  plaintiffs' claims under Sections 11, 12(2), and 15 of the Securities
Act with respect to eleven of sixteen alleged misrepresentations or omissions in
the  Prospectus.  Plaintiffs'  claims with respect to the remaining five alleged
misrepresentations or omissions were dismissed without prejudice.

      On November 6, 1997,  plaintiffs filed a third amended complaint  alleging
claims under  Sections 11, 12(2) and 15 of the  Securities  Act on behalf of the
same  purported  class and against the same  defendants as in the second amended
complaint. Compensatory damages in an unspecified amount are sought.

      On  November  4, 1998,  the court  granted  defendants'  motion to dismiss
plaintiffs'  third  amended  complaint  with  respect  to three  of the  alleged
misrepresentations  and  omissions on which  plaintiffs'  claims are based,  and
denied the motion with respect to the remaining allegations in the complaint.

      On November 15, 1998, plaintiffs filed a fourth amended complaint alleging
claims under  Sections 11, 12(2) and 15 of the  Securities  Act on behalf of the
same  purported  class and against the same  defendants  as in the third amended
complaint. Compensatory damages in an unspecified amount are sought.

      On  February  5, 1999,  defendants  filed an answer to the fourth  amended
complaint in which they denied liability and asserted affirmative defenses.

      Bear Stearns has denied all allegations of wrongdoing  asserted against it
in this  litigation  and  believes  that it has  substantial  defenses  to these
claims.




                                     - 23 -





      MCKESSON HBOC, INC.

      The following  matters arise out of a merger between McKesson  Corporation
("McKesson") and HBOC, Inc. ("HBOC")

      (i)   Mitchell  v.  McCall,  et al. On June 23,  1999,  a  shareholder  of
McKesson HBOC, Inc. ("McKesson HBOC") commenced a purported derivative action on
behalf of McKesson HBOC in the Superior Court of the State of California, County
of San Francisco, against Bear Stearns, Arthur Anderson LLP, and certain present
and former directors and/or officers of McKesson HBOC, McKesson and/or HBOC. The
complaint  alleges,  among other things,  that Bear Stearns  committed breach of
fiduciary duty and negligence in connection  with acting as a financial  advisor
to McKesson with respect to a merger  between  McKesson and HBOC.  Damages in an
unspecified amount are sought.

      (ii)   The Jack Cooper  Investment Corp. v. McKesson HBOC, Inc., et al. On
June 29, 1999,  a purported  class  action was  commenced  in the United  States
District Court for the Northern  District of California on behalf of all persons
who owned McKesson shares from November 27, 1998 through January 12, 1999 or who
held McKesson stock on January 12, 1999.  Named as defendants are McKesson HBOC,
certain present and former directors and/or officers of McKesson HBOC,  McKesson
and/or HBOC, Salomon Smith Barney,  Inc., Bear Stearns, and Arthur Anderson LLP.
The complaint  alleges,  among other things,  that defendants  violated  Section
14(a) of the Exchange Act in  connection  with  allegedly  false and  misleading
disclosure contained in a joint proxy  statement/prospectus that was issued with
respect to the  McKesson/HBOC  merger.  Compensatory  damages in an  unspecified
amount are sought.

      (iii)   John B. Kelly,  III, et al. v. McKesson HBOC, Inc., et al. On July
6, 1999,  a purported  class action was  commenced in the Chancery  Court of the
State of Delaware, New Castle County, on behalf of all persons who held McKesson
common stock on January 12, 1999. Named as defendants are McKesson HBOC, certain
present and former directors  and/or officers of McKesson HBOC,  McKesson and/or
HBOC,  Salomon Smith Barney,  Inc.,  Bear Stearns,  and Arthur Anderson LLP. The
complaint  alleges,  among other  things,  that Bear Stearns aided and abetted a
breach of fiduciary  duty in  connection  with  allegedly  false and  misleading
disclosure contained in a joint proxy  statement/prospectus that was issued with
respect to the  McKesson/HBOC  merger.  Compensatory  damages in an  unspecified
amount are sought.

      STERLING FOSTER & CO., INC.

      The following  matters arise out of Bear Stearns' role as clearing  broker
for Sterling Foster & Co., Inc. ("Sterling Foster").

      (i)   Rogers  v. Sterling  Foster & Co.,  Inc. On February 16, 1999,  Bear
Stearns,  BSSC and an officer of BSSC were added as  defendants  in a  purported
class  action  pending  in the  United  States  District  Court for the  Eastern
District  of New York.  The  action is brought  on behalf of a  purported  class
consisting of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired certain securities
that were underwritten by Sterling Foster & Co., Inc. ("Sterling Foster"). Named
as defendants,  in addition to the Bear Stearns  defendants set forth above, are
Sterling  Foster,   seven   individuals   alleged  to  have  had  an  employment
relationship  with, or exercised  control over,  Sterling Foster,  six companies
that issued  securities  underwritten by Sterling Foster,  eight individuals who
were  directors,  officers  and/or  employees of these issuers,  and Bernstein &
Wasserman LLP and two of its partners.  The second  amended  complaint  alleges,
among other things,  that the Bear Stearns defendants  violated Section 10(b) of
the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5  promulgated  thereunder  and Section 349 of the
New York General  Business Law and committed common law fraud in connection with
providing  clearing  services to  Sterling  Foster.  Compensatory  damages in an
unspecified amount are sought.

      On August 5, 1999, the Bear Stearns  defendants  filed a motion to dismiss
all claims asserted against them in the complaint in this action.




                                     - 24 -





      (ii)   Greenberg  v. Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., et al. On January 19, 1999,
a purported  class action was commenced in the United States  District Court for
the  Southern  District of New York on behalf of all persons  who  purchased  ML
Direct,  Inc.  common  stock or warrants  through  Sterling  Foster & Co.,  Inc.
between  September 4, 1996 and December 31, 1996.  Named as defendants  are Bear
Stearns and BSSC. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the defendants
violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated
thereunder and committed common law fraud in connection with providing  clearing
services to Sterling Foster with respect to certain transactions by customers of
Sterling Foster in ML Direct common stock and warrants.  Compensatory damages of
$50 million and punitive damages of approximately $100 million are sought.

      On March 15, 1999,  this action was  transferred  by the Judicial Panel on
Multi-District  Litigation to the United States  District  Court for the Eastern
District of New York.

      On July 22, 1999, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint.

      (iii)   Levitt, et al. v. Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., et al. On February 16,
1999, a purported class action was commenced in the United States District Court
for the Southern  District of New York on behalf of all persons who purchased ML
Direct,  Inc. common stock or warrants through Sterling Foster between September
4, 1996 and December 31, 1996.  Named as  defendants  are Bear Stearns and BSSC.
The complaint alleges, among other things, that the defendants violated Sections
10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5  promulgated  thereunder  and
committed  common law fraud in connection  with providing  clearing  services to
Sterling  Foster with respect to certain  transactions  by customers of Sterling
Foster in ML Direct  common  stock and  warrants.  Compensatory  damages  of $50
million and punitive damages of approximately $100 million are sought.

      On March 15, 1999,  this action was  transferred  by the Judicial Panel on
Multi-District  Litigation to the United States  District  Court for the Eastern
District of New York.

      On July 22, 1999, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint.

      (iv)   Mihalevich  v. Bear,  Stearns & Co. Inc.  On  February  5, 1999,  a
purported class action was commenced in the United States District Court for the
Western  District of Missouri on behalf of all persons who,  "within or from the
State of Missouri,"  purchased ML Direct,  Inc. common stock or warrants through
Sterling  Foster  between  September 4, 1996 and  February  13,  1997.  Named as
defendants are Bear Stearns and BSSC. The complaint alleges, among other things,
that the defendants  violated the Missouri  Securities Act and committed  common
law fraud, constructive fraud, negligence and made negligent  misrepresentations
in connection with providing  clearing  services to Sterling Foster with respect
to certain  transactions  by  customers of Sterling  Foster in ML Direct  common
stock and warrants.  Compensatory damages of approximately $287,758 and punitive
damages in an unspecified amount are sought.

      On July 28,  1999,  this action was  transferred  by the Judicial Panel on
Multi-District  Litigation to the United States  District  Court for the Eastern
District of New York.

      In re Twinlab  Securities  Litigation.  On March 16, 1999,  two previously
filed purported class actions  commenced in the United States District Court for
the Eastern District of New York were  consolidated into a single action. On May
14, 1999, an amended  consolidated  complaint was filed. As amended,  the action
purports  to be brought on behalf of all  persons who  purchased  Twinlab  Corp.
("Twinlab")  common stock between April 8, 1998 and February 24, 1999.  Named as
defendants  are  four  directors  of  Twinlab,   an  officer  of  Twinlab,   two
stockholders of Twinlab,  Donaldson,  Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc., and Bear Stearns.
The complaint alleges, among other things, that the defendants violated Sections
11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act in connection with disclosure contained in
offering  documents  with respect to a public  offering of Twinlab common stock.
Compensatory damages in an unspecified amount are sought.

      On August 9, 1999, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint.

                          *             *             *




                                     - 25 -





      The  Company  or a  subsidiary  of the  Company  also has been  named as a
defendant in numerous  other civil  actions  arising out of its  activities as a
broker and dealer in securities, as an underwriter,  as an investment banker, as
an  employer  or arising out of alleged  employee  misconduct.  Several of these
actions  allege  damages in large or  indeterminate  amounts,  and some of these
actions are class  actions.  With respect to claims  involving the  Partnership,
Bear Stearns has assumed from the  Partnership,  and has agreed to indemnify the
Partnership  against,  the Partnership's  liability,  if any, arising out of all
legal proceedings to which the Partnership is or was named as a party.  Although
the ultimate  outcome of these matters cannot be ascertained at this time, it is
the opinion of management,  after consultation with counsel, that the resolution
of such  matters  will not have a  material  adverse  effect on the  results  of
operations or the financial condition of the Company, taken as a whole.

      Periodically,   the  Company  also  is  involved  in  investigations   and
proceedings by governmental, regulatory and self-regulatory agencies.



ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

      None.




                                     - 26 -





      EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

      The following  table sets forth certain  information as of September 15,
1999 concerning executive officers of the Company as of July 1, 1999.

                             Age as of
                            September 15,  Principal Occupation
Name                            1999       and Directorships Held
- ----                            ----       ----------------------

Alan C. Greenberg..........      72        Chairman of the Board of the Company
                                           and Bear Stearns and Chairman of the
                                           Executive Committee of the Company
                                           (the "Executive Committee")

James E. Cayne.............      65        President and Chief Executive
                                           Officer of the Company and Bear
                                           Stearns, member of the Executive
                                           Committee

Mark E. Lehman.............      48        Executive Vice President and General
                                           Counsel of the Company and Bear
                                           Stearns and member of the Executive
                                           Committee

Samuel L. Molinaro Jr......      41        Senior Vice President - Finance and
                                           Chief Financial Officer of the
                                           Company and Bear Stearns

Marshall J Levinson........      57        Controller of the Company

Michael Minikes............      56        Treasurer of the Company and Bear
                                           Stearns



                                     - 27 -





      Each of the executive  officers of the Company has been a Senior  Managing
Director of Bear Stearns for more than the past five years.

      Mr.  Greenberg has been Chairman of the Board of the Company for more than
the past five years.  Mr. Greenberg  was Chief Executive  Officer of the Company
and Bear Stearns from the Compan's inception until July 1993.

     Mr. Cayne has been Chief Executive  Officer of the Company and Bear Stearns
since July 1993.  Mr. Cayne has been  President of the Company for more than the
past five years.

     Mr. Lehman became an Executive  Vice  President of the Company in September
1995.  Prior thereto,  Mr.Lehman was Senior Vice President - General  Counsel of
Bear  Stearns for more than five  years.  Mr.  Lehman is General  Counsel of the
Company and Bear Stearns.

     Mr. Molinaro has been Chief Financial  Officer of the Company since October
1996. Prior thereto,  Mr. Molinaro was the Senior Vice  President-Finance of the
Company and Bear Stearns for more than the past five years.

     Mr. Levinson has been  Controller of the Company since October 1998.  Prior
thereto,  Mr.  Levinson  was Chief  Financial  Officer and Chief  Administrative
Officer  of BSIL in London.  Mr.  Levinson  was also in charge of the  Company's
internal  audit function and was a Senior  Managing  Director prior to September
1996.

     Mr.  Minikes has been  Treasurer  of the Company and Bear  Stearns for more
than the past five years.

      Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.




                                     - 28 -





                                     PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS.

      The  information  required  to be  furnished  pursuant to this item is set
forth under the  caption  "Price  Range of Common  Stock and  Dividends"  in the
Annual Report,  which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. (13) of
this report.

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

      The  information  required  to be  furnished  pursuant to this item is set
forth under the caption "Selected Financial Data" in the Annual Report, which is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13 of this report.

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

      The  information  required  to be  furnished  pursuant to this item is set
forth under the  caption  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" in the Annual Report, which is incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13 of this report.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

      The  information  required  to be  furnished  pursuant to this item is set
forth  under the  caption  "Risk  Management"  in the  Annual  Report,  which is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13 of this report.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

      The  information  required  to be  furnished  pursuant  to this  item is
contained  in  the  Consolidated   Financial   Statements  and  the  Notes  to
Consolidated  Financial  Statements in the Annual Report. Such information and
the Independent  Auditors' Report in the Annual Report are incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit No. 13 of this report.

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

      None.




                                     - 29 -





                                    PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

      The  information  required  to be  furnished  pursuant  to this  item with
respect  to  Directors  of the  Company  will be set  forth  under  the  caption
"Election  of  Directors"  in  the  registrant's  proxy  statement  (the  "Proxy
Statement") to be furnished to stockholders in connection with the  solicitation
of  proxies  by the  Company's  Board of  Directors  for use at the 1999  Annual
Meeting of  Stockholders  to be held on October 28,  1999,  and is  incorporated
herein by reference,  and the information with respect to Executive  Officers is
set forth,  pursuant to General Instruction G of Form 10-K, under Part I of this
Report.

      The  information  required  to be  furnished  pursuant  to this  item with
respect to  compliance  with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act will be set forth
under the caption "Section 16(a) Beneficial  Ownership Reporting  Compliance" in
the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

      The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item will be set
forth under the caption "Executive  Compensation" of the Proxy Statement, and is
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

      The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item will be set
forth  under  the  captions  "Voting  Securities"  and  "Security  Ownership  of
Management" of the Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

      The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item will be set
forth under the caption "Certain  Relationships and Related Party  Transactions"
of the Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference.




                                     - 30 -





                                     PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

          (a) List of Financial  Statements,  Financial  Statement Schedules and
Exhibits:

          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

          The financial  statements required to be filed hereunder are listed on
page F-1 hereof.

          FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES:

          The financial  statement  schedules required to be filed hereunder are
listed on page F-1 hereof.

EXHIBITS:

(3)(a)(1)   Restated    Certificate   of   Incorporation   of   the   registrant
            (incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  No.   (4)(a)(1)  to  the
            registrant's   registration   statement   on  Form  S-3   (File  No.
            333-57083)).

(3)(a)(2)   Certificate  of Stock  Designation  to the Restated  Certificate  of
            Incorporation   of  the   registrant,   filed   October   29,   1985
            (incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  No.   (4)(a)(3)  to  the
            registrant's   registration   statement   on  Form  S-8   (File  No.
            33-49979)).

(3)(a)(3)   Certificate  of Stock  Designation  to the Restated  Certificate  of
            Incorporation   of  the   registrant,   filed   February   19,  1987
            (incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  No.   (4)(a)(6)  to  the
            registrant's   registration   statement   on  Form  S-8   (File  No.
            33-49979)).

(3)(a)(4)   Certificate  of Stock  Designation  to the Restated  Certificate  of
            Incorporation of the registrant,  filed March 23, 1993 (incorporated
            by  reference  to  Exhibit  No.   (4)(a)(12)  to  the   registrant's
            registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-49979)).

(3)(a)(5)   Certificate  of Stock  Designation  to the Restated  Certificate  of
            Incorporation of the registrant,  filed July 22, 1993  (incorporated
            by  reference  to  Exhibit  No.   (4)(a)(13)  to  the   registrant's
            registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-49979)).

(3)(a)(6)   Certificate  of Stock  Designations  to the Restated  Certificate of
            Incorporation  of  the  registrant  (incorporated  by  reference  to
            Exhibit No. 1.4 to the registrant's  registration  statement on Form
            8-A filed on January 14, 1998).

(3)(a)(7)   Certificate  of Stock  Designations  to the Restated  Certificate of
            Incorporation  of  the  registrant  (incorporated  by  reference  to
            Exhibit No. 1.4 to the registrant's  registration  statement on Form
            8-A filed on April 20, 1998).

(3)(a)(8)   Certificate  of Stock  Designations  to the Restated  Certificate of
            Incorporation  of  the  registrant  (incorporated  by  reference  to
            Exhibit No. 1.4 to the registrant's  registration  statement on Form
            8-A filed on June 18, 1998).

(3)(b)      Amended and Restated  By-laws of the  registrant as amended  through
            July 21,  1999  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit No. 4(b) to
            post-effective  amendment  no.  1 to the  registrant's  registration
            statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-81901)).

(4)(a)      Indenture,  dated as of April 13, 1989,  between the  registrant and
            Citibank,  N.A.,  as  trustee  (incorporated  by  reference  to  the
            identically  numbered  exhibit  to  the  registrant's   registration
            statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-27713)).




                                     - 31 -





(4)(b)      Indenture,  dated as of May 31, 1991, between the registrant and The
            Chase  Manhattan Bank (formerly known as Chemical Bank and successor
            by  merger to  Manufacturers  Hanover  Trust  Company),  as  trustee
            (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit No.  (4)(a) to  registrant's
            registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-40933)).

(4)(c)      Supplemental  Indenture,  dated as of January 29, 1998,  between the
            registrant and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank, as trustee  (incorporated
            by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(2) to the  registrant's  Current Report
            on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 2, 1998).

(4)(d)      Except  as  set  forth  in  (4)(a),  (4)(b),  and  4(c)  above,  the
            instruments  defining  the  rights  of  holders  of  long-term  debt
            securities  of the  registrant  and  its  subsidiaries  are  omitted
            pursuant  to  Section  (b)(4)(iii)  of Item  601 of  Regulation S-K.
            Registrant  hereby agrees to furnish copies of these  instruments to
            the SEC upon request.

(4)(e)      Form of Deposit  Agreement  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit
            (4)(d) to the registrant's  registration statement on Form S-3 (File
            No. 33-59140)).

(10)(a)(1)  Management  Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of July 1,
            1994  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  (10)(a)(4)  to  the
            registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal  year ended
            June 30, 1994).*

(10)(a)(2)  Amendment to the Management  Compensation  Plan,  adopted  September
            10, 1996  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  (10)(a)(5)  to the
            registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal  year ended
            June 30, 1996).*

(10)(a)(3)  Amendment to the Management  Compensation  Plan,  adopted  September
            18, 1997  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  (10)(a)(5)  to the
            registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal  year ended
            June 30, 1997).*

(10)(a)(4)  Capital Accumulation Plan for Senior Managing Directors,  as amended
            and restated as of October 29,  1998 (the "CAP Plan")  (incorporated
            by reference to Exhibit  (10)(a)(4)  to the  registrant's  Quarterly
            Report  on Form  10-Q for its  fiscal  quarter  ended  December  31,
            1998).*

(10)(a)(5)  Performance  Compensation  Plan,  as restated as of October 29, 1998
            (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10(a)(5) to the registrant's
            Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended December
            31, 1998).*

(10)(a)(6)  The  Bear  Stearns   Companies   Inc.  AE  Investment  and  Deferred
            Compensation  Plan,  effective  January 1, 1989 (the "AE  Investment
            and  Deferred  Compensation  Plan")  (incorporated  by  reference to
            Exhibit  10(a)(14) to the  registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K
            for its fiscal year ended June 30, 1996).*

(10)(a)(7)  Amendment  to the AE  Investment  and  Deferred  Compensation  Plan,
            adopted  April  29,  1996  and  effective  as  of  January  1,  1995
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit  10(a)(15) to the registrant's
            Annual  Report  on Form  10-K for its  fiscal  year  ended  June 30,
            1996).*

(10)(b)(1)  Lease, dated as of November 1,  1991, between Forest City Jay Street
            Associates  and The Bear Stearns  Companies Inc. with respect to the
            premises  located  at  One  Metrotech  Center,  Brooklyn,  New  York
            (incorporated   by   reference   to   Exhibit   (10)(b)(1)   to  the
            registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal  year ended
            June 30, 1992).

(10)(b)(2)  Lease,  dated as of March 6, 1987,  among  Olympia &  York 245 Lease
            Company,  245 Park  Avenue  Company and The Bear  Stearns  Companies
            Inc.   (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit (10)(c)(2)  to  the
            registrant's    registration    statement    on   Form   S-1   (File
            No. 33-15948)).

(10)(b)(3)  Lease,  dated as of August 26, 1994,  between Tenth City  Associates
            and The Bear Stearns  Companies Inc.  (incorporated  by reference to
            Exhibit 10(b)(3) to the registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for
            its fiscal year ended June 30, 1994).




                                     - 32 -





(11)        Statement re: computation of per share earnings.

(12)        Statement re: computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

(13)        1999 Annual Report to  Stockholders  (only those portions  expressly
            incorporated  by  reference  herein  shall be deemed  filed with the
            Commission).

(21)        Subsidiaries of the registrant.

(23)        Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

(27)        Financial Data Schedule.

* Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements

      (b)   REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

            The Company filed the following  Current  Reports on Form 8-K during
      the last quarter of the period covered by this report:

            A Current  Report on Form 8-K,  dated April 12, 1999 and filed April
      15, 1999,  pertaining to the  registrant's  results of operations  for the
      three months and nine months ended March 26, 1999.

            A Current  Report on Form 8-K,  dated April 14, 1999 and filed April
      15, 1999, pertaining to the declaration of dividends.

            A Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 28, 1999 and filed June 28,
      1999,  pertaining to an  agreement-in-principle  reached by Bear,  Stearns
      Securities Corp. with the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.




                                     - 33 -





                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant  to the  requirements  of Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the  undersigned,  thereunto duly  authorized,  on the 28th day of
September 1999.

                                       THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
                                                   (Registrant)

                                       By:  /s/ SAMUEL L. MOLINARO JR.
                                            --------------------------
                                              Samuel L. Molinaro Jr.
                                         Senior Vice President-Finance and
                                             Chief Financial Officer



      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 28th day of September 1999.

                   NAME                               TITLE
                   ----                               -----

          /s/ ALAN C. GREENBERG          Chairman of the Board; Director
       ---------------------------
            Alan C. Greenberg

            /s/ JAMES E. CAYNE           President and Chief Executive Officer
       ---------------------------       (Principal.Executive Officer); Director
              James E. Cayne

           /s/ CARL D. GLICKMAN          Director
       ---------------------------
             Carl D. Glickman

         /s/ DONALD J. HARRINGTON        Director
       ---------------------------
           Donald J. Harrington

           /s/ WILLIAM L. MACK           Director
       ---------------------------
             William L. Mack

           /s/ FRANK T. NICKELL          Director
       ---------------------------
             Frank T. Nickell

         /s/ FREDERIC V. SALERNO         Director
       ---------------------------
           Frederic V. Salerno




                                     - 34 -






             /s/ VINCENT TESE                Director
       ---------------------------
               Vincent Tese

             /s/ FRED WILPON                 Director
       ---------------------------
               Fred Wilpon



                                     - 35 -






          /s/ SAMUEL L. MOLINARO JR          Senior Vice President-Finance and
       ---------------------------           Chief Financial Officer (Principal
          Samuel L. Molinaro Jr.             Financial Officer)


         /s/ MARSHALL J LEVINSON             Controller of The Bear Stearns
       ---------------------------           Companies Inc. (Principal
            Marshal J Levinson               Accounting Officer)





                                     - 36 -




                         THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
                          INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
                           ITEMS 14(a)(1) AND 14(a)(2)

                                                              PAGE REFERENCE

                                                                        ANNUAL
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                       FORM 10-K   REPORT*
- --------------------                                       ---------   -------

Independent Auditor's Report                                              75

THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES, INC.
- --------------------------------

(i)   Consolidated Statements of Income--
      fiscal years ended June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997                     55

(ii)  Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at
      June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997                                        56

(iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows--
      fiscal years ended June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997                     57

(iv)  Consolidated Statements of Changes in
      Stockholders' Equity--
      fiscal years ended June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997                   58-59

(v)   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                        60-74

FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
- -----------------------------

      Independent Auditors' Report                            F-2

I     Condensed financial information of registrant        F-3 - F-6

II    Valuation and qualifying accounts                       F-7

*     Incorporated by reference from the indicated pages of the 1999 Annual
      Report to Stockholders.

      All other  schedules are omitted  because they are not applicable or the
      requested   information  is  included  in  the  consolidated   financial
      statements or notes thereto.




                                       F-1



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
- ----------------------------


To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
  The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.:

We have  audited  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of The Bear  Stearns
Companies  Inc. and  Subsidiaries  as of June 30, 1999 and 1998, and for each of
the three years in the period  ended June 30,  1999,  and have issued our report
thereon dated August 23, 1999; such consolidated financial statements and report
are included in the Annual Report to Stockholders and are incorporated herein by
reference. Our audit also included the financial statement schedules of The Bear
Stearns  Companies  Inc. and  Subsidiaries  listed in Item 14.  These  financial
statement  schedules are the  responsibility  of the Company's  management.  Our
responsibility  is to express an opinion on the  financial  statement  schedules
based on our audits. In our opinion,  such financial statement  schedules,  when
considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a
whole,  present  fairly  in all  material  respects  the  information  set forth
therein.




DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
August 23, 1999




                                       F-2








                                                                    SCHEDULE I


                  CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
                         THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
                              (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
                         CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                 (In thousands)


                                        Fiscal Year  Fiscal Year  Fiscal Year
                                           Ended        Ended        Ended
                                          June 30,     June 30,     June 30,
                                            1999         1998         1997
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
Revenues
  Interest
   Intercompany.....................    $1,264,041   $1,300,087     $979,757
   Coupon...........................         -             -             744
  Other.............................       178,904      103,344       82,682
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
                                         1,442,945    1,403,431    1,063,183
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
Expenses
  Interest..........................     1,500,137    1,471,042    1,039,461
  Other.............................        91,620       98,872       86,844
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
                                         1,591,757    1,569,914    1,126,305
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
Loss before benefit from income taxes
  and equity in earnings of
  subsidiaries                            (148,812)    (166,483)     (63,122)
Benefit from income taxes...........        34,823       62,467       23,206
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
Loss before equity in earnings of
  subsidiaries......................      (113,989)    (104,016)     (39,916)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries..       787,037      764,445      653,246
                                        -----------  -----------  -----------
Net income..........................     $ 673,048     $660,429     $613,330

                                        ===========  ===========  ===========
Earnings per Share..................         $4.48      $4.38(1)     $4.00(1)
                                        ===========  ===========  ===========


(1)   Adjusted for the 5% stock dividend declared on January 20, 1999.



                See Notes to Condensed Financial Information.




                                       F-3









                                                                    SCHEDULE I


                CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
                       THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
                            (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
                 CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                      (In thousands, except share data)


                                                     June 30,        June 30,
                                                       1999            1998
                                                   ------------    ------------
ASSETS
Cash ...........................................   $     19,277    $          4
Receivables from subsidiaries...................     28,162,003      27,671,471
Investment in subsidiaries, at equity...........      5,148,922       4,351,399
Property, equipment and leasehold
  improvements, net of accumulated
  depreciation and amortization of
  $588,730 in 1999 and $463,336 in
  1998, respectively ...........................        373,414         382,749
Other Assets....................................      1,046,431         877,418
                                                   ------------    ------------
Total Assets ...................................   $ 34,750,047    $ 33,283,041
                                                   ============    ============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Short-term borrowings...........................    $13,510,102     $14,442,235
Payables to subsidiaries........................        240,632         102,385
Other liabilities...............................        881,112         754,972
                                                   ------------    -------------
                                                     14,631,846      15,299,592
                                                   ------------    -------------

Long-term borrrowings...........................     14,626,673      13,295,952
                                                   ------------    -------------
Long-term borrowings from subsidiaries..........        536,019         395,964
                                                   ------------    -------------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value;
10,000,000 shares authorized ...................        800,000         800,000
Common stock, $1.00 par value; 200,000,000
   shares authorized; 176,011,113 and
   167,784,941 shares issued in 1999
   and 1998, respectively.......................        176,011         167,785
Paid-in capital.................................      2,269,927       1,963,788
Retained earnings...............................      1,931,957       1,590,574
Capital Accumulation Plan.......................      1,144,329         833,427
Treasury stock, at cost -
  Adjustable Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock,
   Series A; 2,520,750 shares at June 30,
   1999 and 1998, respectively..................       (103,421)       (103,421)
  Common stock; 56,333,508 and 50,639,294
   shares at June 30, 1999 and 1998,
   respectively.................................     (1,263,294)       (953,506)
Note receivable from ESOP Trust ................           --            (7,114)
                                                   ------------    -------------

Total Stockholders' Equity......................      4,955,509       4,291,533
                                                   ============    =============
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity......   $ 34,750,047    $ 33,283,041
                                                   ============    =============

                See Notes to Condensed Financial Information.




                                       F-4









                                                                                           SCHEDULE I


                            CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
                                   THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
                                        (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
                                  CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                            (In thousands)



                                                           Fiscal           Fiscal           Fiscal
                                                            Year            Year              Year
                                                           Ended            Ended            Ended
                                                          June 30,         June 30,         June 30,
                                                            1999            1998              1997
                                                            ----            ----              ----
                                                                               
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income ......................................     $   673,048      $   660,429      $   613,330
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
cash used in operating activities:
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net
  of dividends received .........................        (656,715)        (448,805)        (279,147)
Other ...........................................         136,896          109,735           84,658
Increases (decreases) in assets:
  Receivables from subsidiaries .................        (490,532)      (6,306,236)      (6,058,415)
  Investments in subsidiaries, net ..............        (140,808)        (266,080)        (398,930)
  Other assets ..................................        (145,849)          44,578         (513,631)
Increases (decreases) in liabilities:
  Payables to subsidiaries ......................         138,247           53,466           24,564
  Other liabilities .............................         122,121         (154,168)         542,957
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------
Cash Used in Operating Activities ...............        (363,592)      (6,307,081)      (5,984,614)
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net (payments) proceeds from
  short-term borrowings .........................        (932,133)         946,029        3,965,003
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term
borrowings ......................................       4,179,637        7,045,745        3,129,439
Increase in long-term borrowings from
subsidiaries ....................................         140,055            6,122          198,973
Issuance of Preferred Stock .....................            -             650,000             -
Redemption of Preferred Stock ...................            -            (287,500)            -
Capital Accumulation Plan .......................         483,260          259,816          196,114
Tax Benefit of Common Stock
distributions ...................................          92,893           86,968            4,006
Note repayment from ESOP Trust ..................           7,114            6,587            6,099
Payments for:
  Retirement of long-term borrowings.............      (2,846,752)      (1,881,841)      (1,062,844)
  Treasury Stock purchases ......................        (482,818)        (258,036)        (202,296)
Cash dividends paid .............................        (107,666)         (97,990)         (93,784)
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------
Cash provided by financing activities ...........         533,590        6,475,900        6,140,710
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, equipment and
  leasehold improvement .........................        (127,561)        (169,527)        (124,590)
Purchases of investment securities and
other assets ....................................         (26,290)          (4,769)         (46,706)
Proceeds from sale of investment
  securities and other assets ...................           3,126            5,402           12,496
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------
Cash used in investing activities ...............        (150,725)        (168,894)        (158,800)
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash .................          19,273              (75)          (2,704)
Cash, beginning of year .........................               4               79            2,783
                                                      -----------      -----------      -----------
Cash, end of year ...............................     $    19,277      $         4      $        79
                                                      ===========      ===========      ===========

                            See Notes to Condensed Financial Information.





                                       F-5









                                                                      SCHEDULE I


                CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
                       THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
                            (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
                   NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

1.    General

      The condensed  financial  information of the Company (Parent Company Only)
      should be read in conjunction with the consolidated  financial  statements
      of The Bear Stearns  Companies Inc. and the notes thereto  incorporated by
      reference in this report.

2.    Dividends Received from Subsidiaries

      The Company received from its consolidated  subsidiaries cash dividends of
      $132.3 million,  $315.6  million,  and $374.1 million for the fiscal years
      ended June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

3.    Statement of Cash Flows

      Income taxes paid (consolidated)  totaled $223.2 million,  $459.7 million,
      and $478.4 million in the fiscal years ended June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997,
      respectively. Cash payments for interest approximated interest expense for
      the fiscal years ended June 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

4.    Preferred Stock

      The Company has issued several series of preferred stock.  Preferred stock
      outstanding as of June 30, 1999 and 1998 were as follows:

      In thousands, except share data
                                              JUNE 30, 1999      JUNE 30, 1998
      Adjustable Rate Cumulative
      Preferred Stock, Series A; $50
      liquidation preference; 3,000,000
      shares issued.......................        $ 150,000          $ 150,000
      Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series
      E; $200 liquidation preference;
      1,250,000 shares issued and
      outstanding.........................          250,000            250,000
      Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series
      F; $200 liquidation preference;
      1,000,000 shares issued and
      outstanding.........................          200,000            200,000
      Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series
      G; $200 liquidation preference;
      1,000,000 shares issued and
      outstanding.........................          200,000            200,000
                                                  ---------          ---------
      Total Preferred Stock                       $ 800,000          $ 800,000
                                                  =========          =========




                                       F-6









                                                                   SCHEDULE II


                       THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
                      VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                   YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999, 1998 AND 1997
                                (In thousands)


                                Balance at                            Balance at
                               Beginning of                             End of
Description                       Period      Increases   Deductions    Period
- -----------                       ------      ---------   ----------    ------

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:

Year ended June 30, 1999 ...... $ 53,361     $ 12,198     $(30,041)    $ 35,518

Year ended June 30, 1998 ......   51,399        2,619         (657)      53,361

Year ended June 30, 1997 ......   50,649        4,916       (4,166)      51,399




                                       F-7





                                 EXHIBITS INDEX

    NO.                           DESCRIPTION
    ---                           -----------

(3)(a)(1)   Restated    Certificate   of   Incorporation   of   the   registrant
            (incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  No.   (4)(a)(1)  to  the
            registrant's   registration   statement   on  Form  S-3   (File  No.
            333-57083)).

(3)(a)(2)   Certificate  of Stock  Designation  to the Restated  Certificate  of
            Incorporation   of  the   registrant,   filed   October   29,   1985
            (incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  No.   (4)(a)(3)  to  the
            registrant's   registration   statement   on  Form  S-8   (File  No.
            33-49979)).

(3)(a)(3)   Certificate  of Stock  Designation  to the Restated  Certificate  of
            Incorporation   of  the   registrant,   filed   February   19,  1987
            (incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  No.   (4)(a)(6)  to  the
            registrant's   registration   statement   on  Form  S-8   (File  No.
            33-49979)).

(3)(a)(4)   Certificate  of Stock  Designation  to the Restated  Certificate  of
            Incorporation of the registrant,  filed March 23, 1993 (incorporated
            by  reference  to  Exhibit  No.   (4)(a)(12)  to  the   registrant's
            registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-49979)).

(3)(a)(5)   Certificate  of Stock  Designation  to the Restated  Certificate  of
            Incorporation of the registrant,  filed July 22, 1993  (incorporated
            by  reference  to  Exhibit  No.   (4)(a)(13)  to  the   registrant's
            registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-49979)).

(3)(a)(6)   Certificate  of Stock  Designations  to the Restated  Certificate of
            Incorporation  of  the  registrant  (incorporated  by  reference  to
            Exhibit No. 1.4 to the registrant's  registration  statement on Form
            8-A filed on January 14, 1998).

(3)(a)(7)   Certificate  of Stock  Designations  to the Restated  Certificate of
            Incorporation  of  the  registrant  (incorporated  by  reference  to
            Exhibit No. 1.4 to the registrant's  registration  statement on Form
            8-A filed on April 20, 1998).

(3)(a)(8)   Certificate  of Stock  Designations  to the Restated  Certificate of
            Incorporation  of  the  registrant  (incorporated  by  reference  to
            Exhibit No. 1.4 to the registrant's  registration  statement on Form
            8-A filed on June 18, 1998).

(3)(b)      Amended and Restated  By-laws of the  registrant as amended  through
            July 21,  1999  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit No. 4(b) to
            post-effective  amendment  no.  1 to the  registrant's  registration
            statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-81901)).

(4)(a)      Indenture,  dated as of April 13, 1989,  between the  registrant and
            Citibank,  N.A.,  as  trustee  (incorporated  by  reference  to  the
            identically  numbered  exhibit  to  the  registrant's   registration
            statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-27713)).

(4)(b)      Indenture,  dated as of May 31, 1991, between the registrant and The
            Chase  Manhattan Bank (formerly known as Chemical Bank and successor
            by  merger to  Manufacturers  Hanover  Trust  Company),  as  trustee
            (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit No.  (4)(a) to  registrant's
            registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-40933)).

(4)(c)      Supplemental  Indenture,  dated as of January 29, 1998,  between the
            registrant and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank, as trustee  (incorporated
            by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(2) to the  registrant's  Current Report
            on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 2, 1998).

(4)(d)      Except  as  set  forth  in  (4)(a),  (4)(b),  and  4(c)  above,  the
            instruments  defining  the  rights  of  holders  of  long-term  debt
            securities  of the  registrant  and  its  subsidiaries  are  omitted
            pursuant  to  Section  (b)(4)(iii)  of Item  601 of  Regulation S-K.
            Registrant  hereby agrees to furnish copies of these  instruments to
            the SEC upon request.

(4)(e)      Form of Deposit  Agreement  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit
            (4)(d) to the registrant's  registration statement on Form S-3 (File
            No. 33-59140)).









(10)(a)(1)  Management  Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of July 1,
            1994  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  (10)(a)(4)  to  the
            registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal  year ended
            June 30, 1994).*

(10)(a)(2)  Amendment to the Management  Compensation  Plan,  adopted  September
            10, 1996  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  (10)(a)(5)  to the
            registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal  year ended
            June 30, 1996).*

(10)(a)(3)  Amendment to the Management  Compensation  Plan,  adopted  September
            18, 1997  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  (10)(a)(5)  to the
            registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal  year ended
            June 30, 1997).*

(10)(a)(4)  Capital Accumulation Plan for Senior Managing Directors,  as amended
            and restated as of October 29,  1998 (the "CAP Plan")  (incorporated
            by reference to Exhibit  (10)(a)(4)  to the  registrant's  Quarterly
            Report  on Form  10-Q for its  fiscal  quarter  ended  December  31,
            1998).*

(10)(a)(5)  Performance  Compensation  Plan,  as restated as of October 29, 1998
            (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10(a)(5) to the registrant's
            Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for its fiscal quarter ended December
            31, 1998).*

(10)(a)(6)  The  Bear  Stearns   Companies   Inc.  AE  Investment  and  Deferred
            Compensation  Plan,  effective  January 1, 1989 (the "AE  Investment
            and  Deferred  Compensation  Plan")  (incorporated  by  reference to
            Exhibit  10(a)(14) to the  registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K
            for its fiscal year ended June 30, 1996).*

(10)(a)(7)  Amendment  to the AE  Investment  and  Deferred  Compensation  Plan,
            adopted  April  29,  1996  and  effective  as  of  January  1,  1995
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit  10(a)(15) to the registrant's
            Annual  Report  on Form  10-K for its  fiscal  year  ended  June 30,
            1996).*

(10)(b)(1)  Lease, dated as of November 1,  1991, between Forest City Jay Street
            Associates  and The Bear Stearns  Companies Inc. with respect to the
            premises  located  at  One  Metrotech  Center,  Brooklyn,  New  York
            (incorporated   by   reference   to   Exhibit   (10)(b)(1)   to  the
            registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal  year ended
            June 30, 1992).

(10)(b)(2)  Lease,  dated as of March 6, 1987,  among  Olympia &  York 245 Lease
            Company,  245 Park  Avenue  Company and The Bear  Stearns  Companies
            Inc.   (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit (10)(c)(2)  to  the
            registrant's    registration    statement    on   Form   S-1   (File
            No. 33-15948)).

(10)(b)(3)  Lease,  dated as of August 26, 1994,  between Tenth City  Associates
            and The Bear Stearns  Companies Inc.  (incorporated  by reference to
            Exhibit 10(b)(3) to the registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for
            its fiscal year ended June 30, 1994).










(11)        Statement re: computation of per share earnings.

(12)        Statement re: computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

(13)        1999 Annual Report to  Stockholders  (only those portions  expressly
            incorporated  by  reference  herein  shall be deemed  filed with the
            Commission).

(21)        Subsidiaries of the registrant.

(23)        Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

(27)        Financial Data Schedule.

* Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements