The Bank of New York Company, Inc. [LOGO]

The Bank of New York Company, Inc.
$1,000,000,000
The Bank of New York Company, Inc. CoreNotesSM

            Filed under Rule 424 (b)(3), Registration Statement No. 333-103003,
                  333-103003-01, 333-103003-02, 333-103003-03 and 333-103003-04
                              Pricing Supplement No. 17 - dated January 9, 2004
                                         (To prospectus dated March 6, 2003 and
                                    prospectus supplement dated March 28, 2003)
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             Aggregate               Purchasing     Proceeds
  CUSIP      Principal   Price to      Agent's       Before
  Number      Amount     Public(1)   Discount(1)    Expenses(1)
=================================================================

0640P0AK1   $1,474,000      100%         1.50%          98.50%

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=================================================================
   Interest      Interest        Stated
   Rate Per      Payment        Maturity     Survivor's
    Annum       Frequency         Date        Option
=================================================================

    4.60%      Semiannual      01/15/2014       YES

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Senior Medium-Term Notes Series E
Interest Payment Dates:  The 15th day of January and July of each year
                         commencing 07/15/2004.
Redemption Information:  The Notes are not callable and are not subject to
                         optional redemption.

=================================================================
             Aggregate               Purchasing     Proceeds
  CUSIP      Principal   Price to      Agent's       Before
  Number      Amount     Public(1)   Discount(1)    Expenses(1)
=================================================================

06406JEB7   $5,235,000     100%         2.00%         98.00%

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=================================================================
   Interest      Interest        Stated
   Rate Per      Payment        Maturity     Survivor's
    Annum       Frequency         Date        Option
=================================================================

    5.60%      Semiannual      01/15/2019      YES

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Senior Subordinated Medium-Term Notes Series F
Interest Payment Dates:  The 15th day of January and July of each year
                         commencing 07/15/2004.
Redemption Information:  Redeemable at the option of The Bank of New York
                         Company, Inc. on 01/15/2007 and each Interest Payment
                         Date thereafter, at a price equal to 100% on 30
                         calendar days notice.
=================================================================
             Aggregate               Purchasing     Proceeds
  CUSIP      Principal   Price to      Agent's       Before
  Number      Amount     Public(1)   Discount(1)    Expenses(1)
=================================================================

06406JEC5   $2,328,000     100%         2.50%          97.50%

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=================================================================
   Interest      Interest        Stated
   Rate Per      Payment        Maturity     Survivor's
    Annum       Frequency         Date        Option
=================================================================

    5.70%      Semiannual      01/16/2029       YES

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Senior Subordinated Medium-Term Notes Series F
Interest Payment Dates:  The 15th day of January and July of each year
                         commencing 7/15/2004.
Redemption Information:  Redeemable at the option of The Bank of New York
                         Company, Inc. on 01/15/2009 and each Interest Payment
                         Date thereafter, at a price equal to 100% on 30
                         calendar days notice.

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The Bank of New York Company, Inc.
One Wall Street
New York, New York 10286

Trade Date:  01/09/2004
Issue Date:  01/14/2004
Minimum Denominations/Increments: $1,000/$1,000
Original Issue Discount: No
All trades settle without accrued interest and clear SDFS: DTC Book-Entry only
Merrill Lynch DTC Participant Number:  5132
The defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the Senior Indenture and
the Senior Subordinated Indenture described under "Description of Senior Debt
Securities and Senior Subordinated Debt Securities - Defeasance and Covenant
Defeasance" in the Prospectus will apply to the Senior and Senior Subordinated
Notes respectively.

(1) Expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount
"CoreNotes" is a service mark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

                                                            Merrill Lynch & Co.
                                                               Purchasing Agent
                                                            Acting as Principal
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