SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    Form 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


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

                        Date of Report: January 18, 2000


                 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
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                  (Originator of the Trust referred to herein)
           (Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)


                     CHASE MANHATTAN AUTO OWNER TRUST 1997-A
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                                    (Issuer)


      United States                 333-7575                   22-2382028
- ----------------------------       ------------         ------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction       (Commission          (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                  File Number)         Identification No.)


              802 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware       19801
              -----------------------------------------       ----------
              (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (302) 575-5033


Item 5. Other Events:

            Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1997-A is the issuer of 5 classes
of Asset Backed Notes and a single class of Asset Backed Certificates. The notes
and certificates are serviced in accordance with the Sale and Servicing
Agreement, dated as of February 28, 1997, as amended. The parties to the Sale
and Servicing Agreement are: Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association, as
seller and as servicer, and Chase Manhattan Owner Trust, as issuer.

      On January 18, 2000, Chase USA, as servicer, distributed monthly interest
to the holders of the notes and certificates. Chase USA furnished a copy of the
monthly statement to certificateholders for the series as required by the Sale
and Servicing Agreement. A copy of the monthly statement to certificateholders
is being filed as Exhibit 20.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


Item 7(c). Exhibits

            Exhibits          Description
            --------          -----------

            20.1              Monthly Statement to Certificateholders with
                              respect to the January 18, 2000 distribution.


                                   SIGNATURES


      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.


Dated: January 28, 2000


                                    By: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                    USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                                    as Servicer


                                    By: /s/ Patricia Garvey
                                    --------------------------------
                                    Name:  Patricia Garvey
                                    Title: Vice President


                             INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.                  Description
- -----------                  -----------
20.1                         Statement to Certificateholders dated
                             1/18/2000 delivered pursuant to Section 5.8
                             of the Sale and Servicing Agreement dated
                             as of February 28, 1997.