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. 51 - dated September 03, 2004
                                       (To prospectus dated August 10, 2004 and
                                   prospectus supplement dated August 10, 2004)
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             Aggregate               Purchasing     Proceeds
  CUSIP      Principal   Price to      Agent's       Before
  Number      Amount     Public(1)   Discount(1)    Expenses(1)
=================================================================

06406JGX7   $1,502,000      100%         2.00%         98.00%

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

    5.35%      Semiannual       09/16/2019      YES

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Senior Subordinated Medium-Term Notes Series F
Interest Payment Dates:  The 15th day of March and September of each year
                         commencing 03/15/2005.
Redemption Information:  Redeemable at the option of The Bank of New York
                         Company, Inc. on 09/15/2007 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)
=================================================================

06406JGY5   $2,043,000     100%         2.50%          97.50%

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

    5.50%      Semiannual      09/17/2029       YES

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Senior Subordinated Medium-Term Notes Series F
Interest Payment Dates:  The 15th day of March and September of each year
                         commencing 03/15/2005.
Redemption Information:  Redeemable at the option of The Bank of New York
                         Company, Inc. on 09/15/2009 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:  09/03/2004
Issue Date:  09/09/2004
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
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