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: September 15, 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 September 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 September 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: September 27, 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
                                    9/15/2000 delivered pursuant to Section 5.8
                                    of the Sale and Servicing Agreement dated
                                    as of February 28, 1997.