<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MBNA
CORPORATION'S FORM 10-K FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                         382,882
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                       2,831,215
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               730,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  1,663,704
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         216,020
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           211,473
<LOANS>                                     13,468,367<F1>
<ALLOWANCE>                                    216,911
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              25,806,260
<DEPOSITS>                                  15,407,040
<SHORT-TERM>                                 1,231,195
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            837,965
<LONG-TERM>                                  5,939,025
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         86
<COMMON>                                         7,518
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,383,431
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              25,806,260    
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,687,472<F1>
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              114,497
<INTEREST-OTHER>                               164,203
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,966,172
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             816,104
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,223,833
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          742,339
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  310,039
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              2,407,204
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,254,065
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   1,254,065
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   776,266
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.01<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .97<F2>
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                   11.69<F3>
<LOANS-NON>                                      3,182<F4>
<LOANS-PAST>                                   194,472<F4>
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                157,737<F4>
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               162,476
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  440,113
<RECOVERIES>                                   154,702
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              216,911
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           207,157
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                              9,754
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
<FN>
<F1>Includes loans held for securitization.
<F2>EPS-Primary and EPS-Diluted reflects the three-for-two split of the
Corporation's Common Stock effected in the form of a dividend, issued October
1, 1998, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 15,
1998.
<F3>On a fully taxable equivalent basis.
<F4>Excludes loans held for securitization.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>