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: April 17, 2000

                 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                 ----------------------------------------------
                  (Originator of the Trust referred to herein)

                     CHASE MANHATTAN AUTO OWNER TRUST 1997-A
                     ---------------------------------------
                                    (Issuer)
           (Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)

      United States                  333-7575                    22-2382028
- ----------------------------  ------------------------       -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction  (Commission File Number)         (IRS Employer
    of incorporation)                                        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 April 17, 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 April 17, 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: April 26, 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 4/17/2000
                              delivered pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Sale and
                              Servicing Agreement dated as of February 28, 1997.