The Bank of New York Company, Inc. [LOGO] The Bank of New York Company, Inc. $529,297,000 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, and 333-103003-03 Pricing Supplement No. 66 - dated December 17, 2004 (To prospectus dated August 10, 2004 and prospectus supplement dated August 10, 2004) ================================================================= Aggregate Purchasing Proceeds CUSIP Principal Price to Agent's Before Number Amount Public(1) Discount(1) Expenses(1) ================================================================= 0640P1AY9 $2,655,000 100% 2.00% 98.00% ----------------------------------------------------------------- ================================================================= Interest Interest Stated Rate Per Payment Maturity Survivor's Annum Frequency Date Option ================================================================= 5.25% Semiannual 12/16/2019 YES ----------------------------------------------------------------- Senior Subordinated Medium-Term Notes Series F Interest Payment Dates: The 15th day of June and December of each year commencing 06/15/2005. Redemption Information: Redeemable at the option of The Bank of New York Company, Inc. on 12/15/2007 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) ================================================================= 0640P1AZ6 $1,362,000 100% 2.50% 97.50% ----------------------------------------------------------------- ================================================================= Interest Interest Stated Rate Per Payment Maturity Survivor's Annum Frequency Date Option ================================================================= 5.40% Semiannual 12/17/2029 YES ----------------------------------------------------------------- Senior Subordinated Medium-Term Notes Series F Interest Payment Dates: The 15th day of June and December of each year commencing 06/15/2005. Redemption Information: Redeemable at the option of The Bank of New York Company, Inc. on 12/15/2009 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: 12/17/2004 Issue Date: 12/22/2004 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 ===============================================================================