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, 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          (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                        Number)           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
("Chase USA"), as seller and as servicer, and Chase Manhattan Owner Trust, as
issuer.

         On December 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 December 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: December 26, 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 December 15,
                       2000 delivered pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Sale
                       and Servicing Agreement dated as of February 28, 1997.