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 15, 2004 CHASE MANHATTAN MARINE OWNER TRUST 1997-A (Issuer of securities) CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (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.) White Clay Center, Building 200, Newark, DE 19711 ------------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (302) 575-5000 JPMORGAN CHASE BANK (f/k/a The Chase Manhattan Bank) (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, JPMorgan Chase Bank (f/k/a The Chase Manhattan Bank), as seller, and The CIT Group/Sales Financing, Inc., as servicer. On January 15, 2004, 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 January 15, 2004 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 16, 2004 By: 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 January 15, 2004 distribution