# EXHIBIT 31.1

# CERTIFICATION

| | I, Joel A. Friedman, certify that:
1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K,  and all reports on Form 8-K containing  distribution  or
     servicing  reports filed in respect of periods included in the year covered by this annual report,  of Capitol
     Revolving Home Equity Loan Trust 1997-1;
2.   Based on my knowledge,  the  information in these reports,  taken as a whole,  does not contain any untrue
     statement of a material  fact or omit to state a material  fact  necessary  to make the  statements  made,  in
     light of the  circumstances  under which such  statements  were made, not misleading as of the last day of the
     period covered by this annual report;
3.   Based on my knowledge,  the distribution or servicing  information  required to be provided to the trustee
     by the servicer  under the pooling and  servicing,  or similar,  agreement,  for inclusion in these reports is
     included in these reports;
4.   I am responsible  for reviewing the activities  performed by the servicer under the pooling and servicing,
     or similar,  agreement  and based upon my  knowledge  and the annual  compliance  review  required  under that
     agreement,  and except as disclosed in the reports,  the servicer has  fulfilled  its  obligations  under that
     agreement; and
5.   The reports disclose all significant  deficiencies  relating to the servicer's compliance with the minimum
     servicing  standards based upon the report provided by an independent  public  accountant,  after conducting a
     review in compliance with the Uniform Single  Attestation  Program for Mortgage Bankers or similar  procedure,
     as set forth in the pooling and servicing, or similar, agreement, that is included in these reports.
| | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | In giving the certifications above, I have reasonably relied on information
provided to me by the following unaffiliated parties: the Depository Trust
Company.
| | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

`By:   Chevy Chase Bank, F.S.B.
                                           Originator of the Trust and Servicer



March 30, 2004                       By:   /s/ JOEL A. FRIEDMAN          
                                           Joel A. Friedman
                                           Senior Vice President and
                                           Controller`