PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 34A                                       Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: September 17, 2002                                    File No. 333-76894
(To Prospectus dated January 25, 2002,
and Prospectus Supplement dated January 25, 2002)

                                 $10,006,693,162
                         THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
                           MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B

Principal Amount: $20,000,000   Floating Rate Notes [ ]   Book Entry Notes [x]

Original Issue Date: 9/27/2002  Fixed Rate Notes [x]      Certificated Notes [ ]

Maturity Date:  9/27/2022       CUSIP#:  073928XQ1

Option to Extend Maturity:      No   [x]
                                Yes  [ ]  Final Maturity Date:

                                              Optional            Optional
                         Redemption           Repayment           Repayment
   Redeemable On          Price(s)             Date(s)            Price(s)
   -------------        ------------         -----------         -----------

         *                   N/A                 N/A                 N/A

Applicable Only to Fixed Rate Notes:

Interest Rate:  6.10%

Interest Payment Date(s):  **

Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes:

Interest Rate Basis:                     Maximum Interest Rate:

[ ]   Commercial Paper Rate              Minimum Interest Rate:

[ ]   Federal Funds Effective Rate

[ ]   Federal Funds Open Rate            Interest Reset Date(s):

[ ]   Treasury Rate                      Interest Reset Period:

[ ]   LIBOR Reuters                      Interest Payment Date(s):

[ ]   LIBOR Telerate

[ ]   Prime Rate

[ ]   CMT Rate

Initial Interest Rate:                   Interest Payment Period:

Index Maturity:

Spread (plus or minus):

*     Commencing September 27, 2006 and on the interest payment dates thereafter
      until Maturity, the Notes may be called in whole at par at the option of
      the Company on ten calendar days notice.

**    Commencing October 27, 2002 and on the 27th of each month thereafter until
      Maturity or until the Notes are called.

The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.