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                       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: November 15, 1999


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


                     CHASE MANHATTAN AUTO OWNER TRUST 1997-A
                     ---------------------------------------
                                    (Issuer)


         Delaware                        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
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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 November 15, 1999, 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 November 15, 1999 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: November 30, 1999

                                            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 11/15/1999 delivered
                  pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement
                  dated as of February 28, 1997.