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 MARINE OWNER TRUST 1997-A (Issuer of Securities) CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (Sponsor of the Trust) (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- United States 333-32737 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 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (Sponsor of the Trust) (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) New York 333-32737 13-4994650 - ----------------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer of incorporation) Identification No.) 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017 -------------------------------------------- ------------ (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 270-6000 Item 5. Other Events: Chase Manhattan Marine Owner Trust 1997-A is the issuer of 8 classes of Asset Backed Notes. The notes are serviced in accordance with the Sale and Servicing Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1997, as amended. The parties to the Sale and Servicing Agreement are: Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association, as a seller, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as seller, and The CIT Group/Sales Financing, Inc., as servicer. On December 15, 2000, CIT as servicer, distributed monthly interest to the holders of the notes. CIT furnished copies of the monthly reports for each class of notes as required by the Sale and Servicing Agreement. Copies of those monthly reports are being filed as Exhibit 20.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. Item 7(c). Exhibits Exhibits Description ---------- --------------- 20.1 Monthly Report 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 27, 2000 THE CIT GROUP/SALES FINANCING, INC., as Servicer By: /s/ Gilmar Rodrigues --------------------------- Name: Gilmar Rodrigues Title: Vice President INDEX TO EXHIBITS ----------------- Exhibit No. Description - --------------- ----------------- 20.1 Monthly Report with respect to the December 15, 2000 distribution