<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM MBNA
CORPORATION'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         263,064
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                       1,427,065
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               659,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  2,162,464
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                         346,180
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                           341,868
<LOANS>                                     11,162,074<F1>
<ALLOWANCE>                                    162,476
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              21,305,513
<DEPOSITS>                                  12,913,213
<SHORT-TERM>                                   192,623
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            750,710
<LONG-TERM>                                  5,478,917
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                         86
<COMMON>                                         5,012
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,964,952
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              21,305,513
<INTEREST-LOAN>                              1,493,038<F1>
<INTEREST-INVEST>                              144,940
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                73,035
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                             1,711,013
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             693,920
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,018,623
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          692,390
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                  260,040
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                              2,223,121
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              1,022,108
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                   1,022,108
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   622,500
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.20<F2>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.15<F2>
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                   11.99<F3>
<LOANS-NON>                                          0
<LOANS-PAST>                                   134,865<F4>
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               118,427
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                  359,542
<RECOVERIES>                                   135,779
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              162,476
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                           157,941
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                              4,535
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
<FN>
<F1>  Includes Loans Held for Securitization.
<F2>  EPS - Primary represents EPS and EPS-Diluted represents EPS-Assuming
      Dilution.  The Corporation adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
      Standards No. 128 "Earnings per Share" (Statement No. 128), for
      financial statements issued for periods ending after December 15,
      1997.  In accordance with Statement No. 128, earnings per common
      share is computed using net income applicable to common stock and
      weighted average common shares outstanding, whereas earnings per
      common share-assuming dilution includes the potential effect of
      common stock equivalents which are solely related to employee
      stock options.  Per common share data have been restated to reflect
      the adoption of Statement No. 128 and the three-for-two split of the
      Corporation's Common Stock, effected in the form of a dividend,
      issued October 1, 1997, to stockholders of record as of
      September 15, 1997.
<F3>  On a fully taxable equivalent basis.
<F4>  Excludes Loans Held for Securitization.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>