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: October 16, 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 October 16, 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 October 16, 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: October 17, 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
                                         October 16, 2000 delivered pursuant to
                                         Section 5.8 of the Sale and Servicing
                                         Agreement dated as of February 28,1997.