Leading Midwest Account Executives Join Bear Stearns

    Business Editors/Financial Editors

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2005--Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. announced today that several leading financial advisors in the Midwest have joined the firm's Private Client Services Division. The account executives--George W. Hinkle, William O. Newbold, Brian R. Bell, George (Russ) Phillips III, and David L. Bowman--provide equity, fixed income and alternative investment solutions for high-net worth and institutional clients. They will be based in St. Louis, Missouri and work closely with executive management in Bear Stearns' Chicago office.
    Commenting on the hire, Steve Dantus, senior managing director and head of Bear Stearns Private Client Services, said, "Our goal has always been to attract the best brokers in the industry and with the addition of these five individuals that is certainly what has occurred. They are among the most successful brokers in the Midwest and highly-regarded in the industry for their expertise and professionalism. We are extremely pleased that they have chosen Bear Stearns and believe they will be a valuable addition to our franchise."
    Mr. Hinkle added, "I am very pleased to join Bear Stearns. I believe the platform Bear Stearns offers successful brokers as well as the tremendous resources that exist throughout the firm will help me to continue to grow and prosper. It is an extremely exciting time for me and my colleagues."
    The brokers join Bear Stearns from Merrill Lynch, where Messrs. Hinkle and Newbold have worked for more than fifteen years. Mr. Phillips worked at Merrill Lynch since 1991, Mr. Bell has been with that office since 1993 and Mr. Bowman since 2000.
    Bear Stearns' Private Client Services Division, headquartered in New York City, operates branch offices in key markets throughout the United States including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and through Bear, Stearns International Ltd. has a European office based in London. The hiring of account executives in St. Louis marks the second satellite office the firm has opened. Last year the firm established a satellite office in Seattle. The firm will continue to consider opening satellite offices in markets where, similar to Seattle and St. Louis, the firm has the opportunity to hire the best and brightest brokers in the industry.
    Founded in 1923, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. is a leading worldwide investment banking and securities trading and brokerage firm, and the major subsidiary of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (NYSE:BSC). With approximately $48.8 billion in total capital, Bear Stearns serves governments, corporations, institutions and individuals worldwide. The company's business includes corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions, institutional equities and fixed income sales, trading and research, private client services, derivatives, foreign exchange and futures sales and trading, asset management and custody services. Through Bear, Stearns Securities Corp., it offers prime broker and broker dealer services, including securities lending. Headquartered in New York City, the company has approximately 11,000 employees worldwide. For additional information about Bear Stearns, please visit the firm's Web site at http://www.bearstearns.com.

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CONTACT: Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. Jane Slater, 212-272-3933 JSlater1@Bear.com

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING MANAGEMENT CHANGES SOURCE: Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.

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