UNITED STATES
                       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 (Date of earliest event reported): December 18, 1996

                         CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, N.A.
                         ------------------------------
               (Exact Name of registrant specified in its charter)

 United States                  333-07575                    22-2382028
 -------------                  ---------                    ----------
(State or other          (Commission File Number)        (I.R.S. employer
Jurisdiction                                             Identification No.)
of Incorporation)                                           

                               802 Delaware Avenue
                           Wilmington, Delaware 19801
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                    ----------------------------------------
                  Registrant's telephone number: (302) 575-5033




Item 5. Other Events

      On December 11, 1996, the Note Underwriting Agreement, dated December 11,
1996, between Chase Manhattan Bank USA, N.A., as Seller and Servicer, and Chase
Securities Inc., as Representative of the several Underwriters parties thereto,
was executed and entered into by the parties thereto.

      On December 11, 1996, the Certificate Underwriting Agreement, dated
December 11, 1996, between Chase Manhattan Bank USA, N.A., as Seller and
Servicer, and Chase Securities Inc., as Underwriter, was executed and entered
into by the parties thereto.

      On December 18, 1996, the Sale and Servicing Agreement, dated as of
December 1, 1996, between Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1996-C, as Issuer,
and Chase Manhattan Bank USA, N.A., as Seller and Servicer, was executed and
entered into by the parties thereto.

      On December 18, 1996, the Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1996, between
Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1996-C, as Issuer, and Norwest Bank Minnesota,
National Association, as Indenture Trustee, was executed and entered into by the
parties thereto.

      On December 18, 1996, the Trust Agreement, dated as of December 1, 1996,
among Chase Manhattan Bank USA, N.A., as Depositor, Chase Auto Funding
Corporation, as General Partner, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Owner Trustee,
was executed and entered into by the parties thereto.

      On December 18, 1996, the Administration Agreement, dated as of December
1, 1996, among Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1996-C, as Issuer, Norwest Bank
Minnesota, National Association, as Indenture Trustee, and The Chase Manhattan
Bank, as Administrator, was executed and entered into by the parties thereto.

Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Statements and Exhibits

      Exhibits

      1.1(B)(2) Underwriting Agreement (Notes) dated December 11, 1996.

      1.1(C)(2) Underwriting Agreement (Certificates) dated December 11, 1996.

      4.1(B)(2) Sale and Servicing Agreement (Notes and Certificates)
                dated as of December 1, 1996.

      4.2(2)    Indenture (Notes and Certificates) dated as of December 1, 1996.


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      4.3(C)(2)  Trust Agreement (Notes and Certificates) dated as of December
                 1, 1996.

      4.4(2)     Administration Agreement (Notes and Certificates) dated as of
                 December 1, 1996.


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                                   SIGNATURES

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


                                             CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, N.A.
                                             (Registrant)
                                       
                                       
                                             By: /s/ Keith Schuck
                                                 _______________________________
                                             Name:  Keith Schuck
                                             Title: Controller
                  
Date:  December 30, 1996


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                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                                                 Sequentially   
Exhibit Number   Exhibit                                        Numbered Pages 
- --------------   -------                                        -------------- 
  
1.1(B)(2)        Underwriting Agreement (Notes) dated
                 December 11, 1996.

1.1(C)(2)        Underwriting Agreement (Certificates) dated
                 December 11, 1996.

4.1(B)(2)        Sale and Servicing Agreement (Notes and
                 Certificates) dated as of December 1, 1996.

4.2(2)           Indenture (Notes and Certificates) dated as of
                 December 1, 1996.

4.3(C)(2)        Trust Agreement (Notes and Certificates)
                 dated as of December 1, 1996.

4.4(2)           Administration Agreement (Notes and
                 Certificates) dated  as of December 1, 1996.


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