<PAGE>

                       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 29, 1997


                         CHASE CREDIT CARD MASTER TRUST
            (formerly known as "Chemical Master Credit Card Trust I"),
                                 Series 1996-4
       ------------------------------------------------------------------
                             (Issuer of Securities)

                CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, N.A. (formerly known as
                        "The Chase Manhattan Bank (USA)")
                             (Sponsor of the Trust)
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




   United States               33-40006                  22-2382028 
  ---------------            -------------             ---------------
  (State or other            (Commission               (IRS Employer
  jurisdiction of            File Number)              Identification No.)
  incorporation)


         802 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware     19801
        ----------------------------------------     ----------
        (Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)


    Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (302) 575-5050


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Item 5.  Other Events.
         -------------

     On or about January 15, 1997 Monthly Interest as defined in the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement dated as of October 19, 1995 (the "Agreement") between
The Chase Manhattan Bank (formerly known as 'Chemical Bank') and The Bank of
New York, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), was distributed to holders 
("Certificateholders") of participations in the Chase Credit Card Master 
Trust (formerly known as "Chemical Master Credit Card Trust I") for Series
1996-4 in accordance with the Agreement. A copy of the applicable Monthly 
Report for the month ended December 31, 1996, as defined in the Agreement, has
been furnished to Certificateholders in accordance with the Agreement.
A copy of the Monthly Report is being filed as Exhibit 20.1 to this 
Current Report on Form 8-K.


Item 7(c).  Exhibits
            --------

            Exhibit No.           Description
            -----------            -----------

              20.1                 Monthly Reports with respect to the
                                   January 15, 1997 distribution

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                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                                 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                                                 As Servicer


                                                 By: /s/Richard L. Craig
                                                    --------------------
                                                 Name:  Richard L. Craig
                                                 Title: Managing Director

Dated:  January 29, 1997

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                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                               -----------------


           Exhibit Nos.                 Description
           -----------                  -----------
 
            20.1                  Monthly Reports with respect to the 
                                  January 15, 1997 distribution