Filed under Rule 424 (b)(3), Registration Statement No. 333-103003,
                                333-103003-01, 333-103003-02, and 333-103003-03
                               Pricing Supplement No. 86 - dated May 06, 2005
                                       (To prospectus dated August 10, 2004 and
                                   prospectus supplement dated August 10, 2004)

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)

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

0640P1CQ4   $2,699,000      100%         2.00%         98.00%    

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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

    5.30%      Semiannual       05/15/2020      YES

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Senior Subordinated Medium-Term Notes Series F
Interest Payment Dates:  The 15th day of May and November of each year
                         commencing 11/15/2005.
Redemption Information:  Redeemable at the option of The Bank of New York
                         Company, Inc. on 05/15/2008 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)  
=================================================================

0640P1CR2   $3,139,000      100%         2.50%        97.50%    

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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

    5.40%      Semiannual      05/15/2030       YES

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Senior Subordinated Medium-Term Notes Series F
Interest Payment Dates:  The 15th day of May and November of each year
                         commencing 11/15/2005.
Redemption Information:  Redeemable at the option of The Bank of New York
                         Company, Inc. on 05/15/2010 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:  05/06/2005                              
Issue Date:  05/11/2005                         
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
===============================================================================