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: January 16, 2001 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ---------------------------------------------- (Originator of the Trust referred to herein) CHASE MANHATTAN AUTO OWNER TRUST 1998-C ---------------------------------------------------------- (Issuer) (Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter) United States 333-36939 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 1998-C is the issuer of four 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 June 1, 1998, 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 January 16, 2001, 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 each of 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. On December 31, 2000, J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated and The Chase Manhattan Corporation completed their merger, with the surviving corporation being named J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. ("J.P. Morgan Chase"). The Chase Manhattan Bank ("Chase"), Chase USA and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York are subsidiaries of J.P. Morgan Chase. During the fourth quarter of 2000, J.P. Morgan Chase implemented a revised policy for consumer loan charge-offs to conform with a policy statement adopted by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council ("FFIEC"). The FFIEC policy, originally issued in February 1999, established uniform guidelines for the charge-off of consumer loans to delinquent, bankrupt, deceased and fraudulent borrowers. In connection with the implementation of this policy, J.P. Morgan Chase took a $93 million charge-off for credit card, auto finance and mortgage loans on a managed basis (i.e., including securitizations) in the fourth quarter of 2000. Chase USA does not believe that the revised charge-off policy will materially affect the interests of holders of the notes and certificates. Item 7(c). Exhibits Exhibits Description -------- ----------- 20.1 Monthly Statement to Certificateholder with respect to the January 16, 2001 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: January 26, 2001 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 January 16, 2001 delivered pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement dated as of June 1, 1998.