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: December 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





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 December 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 December 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: December 23, 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 12/15/1999
                           delivered pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Sale and
                           Servicing Agreement dated as of February 28, 1997.