Bear Stearns Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend on Preferred Shares

March 20, 2008

Bear Stearns Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend on Preferred Shares
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)

The Board of Directors of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (NYSE:BSC) declared the following regular quarterly dividends: (i) a cash dividend of $3.075 per share on the outstanding shares of 6.15% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E (which is equivalent to 76.875 cents per related depositary share); (ii) a cash dividend of $2.86 per share on the outstanding shares of 5.72% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F (which is equivalent to 71.50 cents per related depositary share); and (iii) a cash dividend of $2.745 per share on the outstanding shares of 5.49% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series G (which is equivalent to 68.625 cents per related depositary share) all payable April 15, 2008 to stockholders of record on March 31, 2008.