UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  FORM 12b-25

                          NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING


(Check One): [X] Form 10-K [_] Form 20-F [_] Form 11-K
                    [_] Form 10-Q [_] Form N-SAR

     For Period Ended: December 31, 1997
                      --------------------------------

     [_] Transition Report on Form 10-K
     [_] Transition Report on Form 20-F
     [_] Transition Report on Form 11-K
     [_] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
     [_] Transition Report on Form N-SAR

     For the Transition Period Ended:
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Read Instruction (on back page) Before Preparing Form. Please Print or Type.

NOTHING IN THIS FORM SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THE COMMISSION HAS
VERIFIED ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.

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If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

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PART I--REGISTRANT INFORMATION
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Full Name of Registrant

Chase Manhattan Grantor Trust 1996-A (issuer)
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Servicer
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Former Name if Applicable

N/A
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Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

270 Park Avenue
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City, State and Zip Code

New York, New York 10017
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PART II--RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following
should be completed. (Check box if appropriate)


     (a)  The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form
[X]       could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;
     (b)  The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on
          Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K, Form N-SAR, or portion thereof, will be
[X]       filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed
          due date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form
          10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth
          calendar day following the prescribed due date; and
     (c)  The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by
          Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.


PART III--NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-K, 11-K, 10-Q,
N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within
the prescribed time period. (ATTACH EXTRA SHEETS IF NEEDED)

INFORMATION REQUIRED FROM THIRD PARTIES WAS DELAYED

PART IV--OTHER INFORMATION

(1)  Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
     notification


      Martin R. Joyce, Esq.        (212)               270-5918
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              (Name)              (Area Code)       (Telephone Number)

(2)  Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13
     of 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or
     Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 during the
     preceding 12 months (or for such shorter) period that the
     registrant was required to file such reports) been filed?
     If the answer is no, identify report(s).                    [X] Yes [_] No


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(3)  Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of
     operations from the corresponding period for the last
     fiscal year will be reflected by the earnings statements to
     be included in the subject report or portion thereof?       [_] Yes [X] No

     If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively
     and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable
     estimate of the results cannot be made.

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                   The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Servicer
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                 (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.

Date    April 1, 1998                      By  /s/ Jeffrey Hammer
    ---------------------------------       -----------------------------------
                                               Jeffrey Hammer
                                               Vice President   


INSTRUCTION:  The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant
or by any other duly authorized representative. The name and title of the
person signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature.  If the
statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized representative
(other than an executive officer), evidence of the representative's authority
to sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form.

------------------------------------ATTENTION---------------------------------
                INTENTIONAL MISSTATEMENTS OR OMISSIONS OF FACT
         CONSTITUTE FEDERAL CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS (SEE 18 U.S.C. 1001).
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                             GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1.  This form is required by Rule 12b-25 (17 CFR 240, 12b-25) of the General
    Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

2.  One signed original and four conformed copies of this form and amendments
    thereto must be completed and filed with the Securities and Exchange
    Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, in accordance with Rule 0-3 of the
    General Rules and Regulations under the Act. The information contained in
    or filed with the form will be made a matter of public record in the
    Commission files.

3.  A manually signed copy of the form and amendments thereto shall be filed
    with each national securities exchange on which any class of securities of
    the registrant is registered.

4.  Amendments to the notifications must also be filed on form 12b-25 but need
    not restate information that has been correctly furnished. The form shall
    be clearly identified as an amended notification.

5.  Electronic Filers. This form shall not be used by electronic filers unable
    to timely file a report solely due to electronic difficulties. Filers
    unable to submit a report within the time period prescribed due to
    difficulties in electronic filing should comply with either Rule 201
    or Rule 202 of Regulation S-T or apply for an adjustment in filing date
    pursuant to Rule 13(b) of Regulation S-T.