UNITED STATES
                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                        Washington, DC  20549


                               Form 8-K

                            CURRENT REPORT

                Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                   Securities Exchange Act of 1934



   Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 15, 1998


                         Boatmen's Auto Trust 1996-A
                         ---------------------------
              (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



                                        
    United States
    of America            33-95450              Applied For
    ----------            --------              -----------
    (State or other       (Commission File      (IRS employer
    Jurisdiction of       Number)               Identification No.)
    Incorporation
                                        
                                        
                     Boatmen's Auto Trust 1996-A
                         Transamerica Square
                            NC1-021-03-07
                        401 North Tryon Street
                   Charlotte, North Carolina  28255
                             (704) 386-5000
                                        
                                        
                (Address of principal executive offices)
                ----------------------------------------       

    Registrant's telephone number including area code:  (704) 386-5000




Item 5.      Other Events
             ------------
         The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the information
         contained in Exhibit 99 hereto in response to this Item 5.


Item 7.      Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Statements and Exhibits
             -----------------------------------------------------------------
(c)  Exhibits

99           Monthly Servicing Report for NationsBank, N.A., Boatmen's Auto
             Trust 1996-A

                                        
                                        
                                 SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
                                        
                          BOATMEN'S  AUTO  TRUST 1996-A
                          -----------------------------
                                   (Registrant)
                                        


Dated:                             By:   \s\ Leslie J. Fitzpatrick
                                         ------------------------- 
                                   Name:     Leslie J. Fitzpatrick
                                   Title:    Senior Vice President
                                   NationsBank, N.A.
                                   (Duly Authorized Officer)

                                        
                         INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                         -----------------


Exhibit
Number                        Exhibit
- -------                       -------

99        Monthly Servicing Report for NationsBank,N.A., Boatmen's Auto Trust
          1996-A