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: May 15, 2000

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


                     CHASE MANHATTAN AUTO OWNER TRUST 1997-A
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                                    (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
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        (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 May 15, 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 May 15, 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:  May 24, 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
                                     5/15/2000 delivered pursuant to Section 5.8
                                     of the Sale and Servicing Agreement dated
                                     as of February 28, 1997.