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. CoreNotes(Registered Service Mark) 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. 26 - dated March 12, 2004 (To prospectus dated March 6, 2003 and prospectus supplement dated March 28, 2003) ================================================================= Aggregate Purchasing Proceeds CUSIP Principal Price to Agent's Before Number Amount Public(1) Discount(1) Expenses(1) ================================================================= 06406JEV3 $5,027,000 100% 2.00% 98.00% ----------------------------------------------------------------- ================================================================= Interest Interest Stated Rate Per Payment Maturity Survivor's Annum Frequency Date Option ================================================================= 5.00% Semiannual 03/15/2019 YES ----------------------------------------------------------------- Senior Subordinated Medium-Term Notes Series F Interest Payment Dates: The 15th day of March and September of each year commencing 09/15/2004. Redemption Information: Redeemable at the option of The Bank of New York Company, Inc. on 03/15/2007 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) ================================================================= 06406JEW1 $3,047,000 100% 2.50% 97.50% ----------------------------------------------------------------- ================================================================= Interest Interest Stated Rate Per Payment Maturity Survivor's Annum Frequency Date Option ================================================================= 5.20% Semiannual 03/15/2029 YES ----------------------------------------------------------------- Senior Subordinated Medium-Term Notes Series F Interest Payment Dates: The 15th day of March and September of each year commencing 9/15/2004. Redemption Information: Redeemable at the option of The Bank of New York Company, Inc. on 03/15/2009 and each Interest Payment Date thereafter, at a price equal to 100% on 30 calendar days notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Bank of New York Company, Inc. One Wall Street New York, New York 10286 Trade Date: 03/12/2004 Issue Date: 03/17/2004 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: 161 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(Registered Service Mark)" is a registered service mark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Merrill Lynch & Co. Purchasing Agent Acting as Principal ===============================================================================