FIRST DEPOSIT NATIONAL BANK
10-K, 1998-03-31
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
Previous: CONESTOGA ENTERPRISES INC, 10-K, 1998-03-31
Next: AJAY SPORTS INC, 10-K, 1998-03-31



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

                Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended:   December 31, 1997
                             -----------------------

Commission file numbers:     33-5992, 33-84844, 33-99462, 333-22131
                             --------------------------------------

         Providian National Bank on behalf of the Providian Master Trust
                    (formerly the First Deposit Master Trust)
        ----------------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 United States of America                                 02-0118519
- --------------------------------                      -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                       (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                        Identification No.)

          295 Main Street
       Tilton, New Hampshire                                     03276
- ----------------------------------------                       ---------
(Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:      (603) 286-4348
                                                         --------------

                     Not Applicable
- -------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None

Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

     The following Providian Master Trust Asset-Backed Certificates
(collectively, the "Certificates"):

     5.75% Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 1993-2
     Floating  Rate Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 1995-1
     6.05% Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 1995-2
     Floating Rate Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 1996-1 
     Floating Rate Class A Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 1997-1
     Floating Rate Class B Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 1997-1
     Floating Rate Class A Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 1997-2
     Floating Rate Class B Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 1997-2   
     Floating Rate Class A Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 1997-3 
     Floating Rate Class B Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 1997-3 
     6.25% Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 1997-4
     6.45% Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 1997-4

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act during the preceding 12
months (or for such shorter period that the registration was required to file
such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past
90 days.

                           Yes          X*                    No
                                       ---
- --------------------------------------
     * On December 23, 1993, the registrant was issued a no-action letter (the
"No-Action Letter") by the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to
certain of the registrant's reporting requirements pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Act.

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent fillers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. /__/

     State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common
equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant. The aggregate market value
shall be computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was sold,
or the average bid and asked prices of such common equity, as of a specified
date within 60 days prior to the date of filing. (See definition of affiliate in
Rule 405.)

     Not Applicable.

                                     PART I
                                     ------

Item 1.  Business

         Omitted pursuant to the No-Action Letter.

Item 2.  Properties

         Attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1 through 99.8 are the annual
certificateholders' statements prepared by Providian National Bank ("PNB"), as
Servicer (the "Servicer"), of the Providian Master Trust (formerly known as the
First Deposit Master Trust) (the "Trust") and delivered to Bankers Trust
Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), pursuant to Section 5.02(d) of the Series
1993-2, 1995-1, 1995-2, 1996-1, 1997-1, 1997-2, 1997-3 and 1997-4 Supplements to
the Providian Master Trust Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated as of June 1,
1993, as amended (the "Pooling Agreement"), between PNB, as Seller and Servicer,
and the Trustee. The annual certificateholders' statements contain the
information required to be contained in the monthly statements prepared by the
Servicer and delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.02(a) of such
Supplements, aggregated for the months of January 1997 through December 1997,
relating to the receivables (the "Receivables") transferred to the Trust and the
accounts from which the Receivables arise.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

         The registrant knows of no material pending legal  proceedings
with respect to the Trust involving either the Trust, the Trustee or PNB.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

         None.

                                     PART II
                                     -------  

Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

         (a) To the best knowledge of the registrant, there is no
established public trading market for the Certificates.

         (b) Each class of  Certificates  is represented by one or more
certificates registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of The Depository
Trust Company ("DTC").

         (c) Omitted pursuant to the No-Action Letter.

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

         Omitted pursuant to the No-Action Letter.

Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operation

         Omitted pursuant to the No-Action Letter.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

         Omitted pursuant to the No-Action Letter.

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
         Financial Disclosure.

         None.
         
                           PART III
                           --------

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

         Omitted pursuant to the No-Action Letter.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

         Omitted pursuant to the No-Action Letter.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

         (a) Each class of Certificates is represented by one or more
certificates registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and an
investor holding an interest in the Trust is not entitled to receive a
certificate representing such interest except in limited circumstances.
Accordingly, Cede & Co. is the sole holder of record of Certificates, which it
held on behalf of brokers, dealers, banks and other direct participants in the
DTC system at December 31, 1997. Such direct participants may hold Certificates
for their own account or for the accounts of their customers. The address of
Cede & Co. is: Cede & Co., c/o The Depository Trust Company, 55 Water Street,
49th Floor, New York, New York 10041.

         (b) Omitted pursuant to the No-Action Letter.

         (c) Omitted pursuant to the No-Action Letter.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

         There have not been, and there are not currently proposed, any
transactions or series of transactions, to which the Trust is a party, with any
Certificateholder known by the registrant to own of record or beneficially more
than five percent of any series or class of Certificates.

                                     PART IV
                                     -------

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.

         (a) 99.1  Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to
                   Section 5.02(d) of the Series 1993-2 Supplement.

             99.2  Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to
                   Section 5.02(d) of the Series 1995-1 Supplement.

             99.3  Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to
                   Section 5.02(d) of the Series 1995-2 Supplement.

             99.4  Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to
                   Section 5.02(d) of the Series 1996-1 Supplement.

             99.5  Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to
                   Section 5.02(d) of the Series 1997-1 Supplement.

             99.6  Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to
                   Section 5.02(d) of the Series 1997-2 Supplement.

             99.7  Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to
                   Section 5.02(d) of the Series 1997-3 Supplement.

             99.8  Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to
                   Section 5.02(d) of the Series 1997-4 Supplement.

             99.9  Report on the activities of PNB, as Servicer, prepared by
                   Ernst & Young LLP pursuant to Section 3.06 of the Pooling
                   Agreement.

         (b) Omitted pursuant to the No-Action Letter.

         (c) Omitted pursuant to the No-Action Letter.

         (d) Omitted pursuant to the No-Action Letter.

                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Section 13 and 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



                                        PROVIDIAN MASTER TRUST

                                        By: PROVIDIAN NATIONAL BANK,
                                            Servicer

                                        By:  /s/ Robert W. Molke
                                             ___________________________
                                             Robert W. Molke
                                             Vice President and Treasurer


         Date:  March 30, 1998


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following Directors and/or Officers of
PNB, as Servicer, on behalf of the registrant on March 30, 1998 in the
capacities indicated.

    Signature                             Title
    ---------                             -----

/s/ Shailesh J. Mehta
____________________________              Chairman of the Board of Directors,
Shailesh J. Mehta                         Chief Executive Officer and Director
                                          (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Dianne Peterson                     
____________________________              President and Director
Dianne Peterson

/s/ David J. Petrini
___________________________               Senior Vice President and Chief
David J. Petrini                          Financial Officer
                                          Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Daniel Sanford
___________________________               Vice President and Controller
Daniel Sanford                            (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Seth Barad
___________________________               Executive Vice President and Director
Seth A. Barad   

/s/ Katharine Bogle Shields
___________________________               Vice President and Director
Katharine Bogle Shields

/s/ Darrell Hotchkiss
___________________________               Director
Darrell Hotchkiss

/s/ Janice B. Kitchen
___________________________               Director
Janice B. Kitchen


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.

99.1     Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to Section
         5.02(d) of the Series 1993-2 Supplement.

99.2     Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to Section 
         5.02(d) of the Series 1995-1 Supplement.

99.3     Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to Section
         5.02(d) of the Series 1995-2 Supplement.

99.4     Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to Section
         5.02(d) of the Series 1996-1 Supplement.

99.5     Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to Section
         5.02(d) of the Series 1997-1 Supplement.

99.6     Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to Section
         5.02(d) of the Series 1997-2 Supplement.

99.7     Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to Section
         5.02(d) of the Series 1997-3 Supplement.

99.8     Annual Certificateholders' Statement delivered pursuant to Section
         5.02(d) of the Series 1997-4 Supplement.

99.9     Report on the activities of PNB, as Servicer, prepared by Ernst &
         Young LLP pursuant to Section 3.06 of the Pooling Agreement.


                      ANNUAL CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' STATEMENT
                  ---------------------------------------------

                             PROVIDIAN MASTER TRUST
                                  SERIES 1993-2
                  ---------------------------------------------

     Pursuant to the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement  dated as of June 1, 1993
(as amended and supplemented,  the  "Agreement"),  as supplemented by the Series
1993-2  Supplement  dated as of June 1, 1993 (as amended and  supplemented,  the
"Series Supplement"),  among Providian National Bank ("PNB"),  formerly known as
First Deposit  National  Bank,  Seller and Servicer,  and Bankers Trust Company,
Trustee,  Providian  National  Bank as Servicer  is required to prepare  certain
information   each   year   regarding   current    distributions   to   Investor
Certificateholders  and the  performance  of the  Providian  Master  Trust  (the
"Trust")  during the  previous  year.  The  information  which is required to be
prepared  for the  Series  1993-2  Certificates  with  respect to the year ended
December 31, 1997, and with respect to the  performance of the Trust during 1997
is set forth below.  Certain of the  information is presented on the basis of an
original principal amount of $1,000 per Investor  Certificate (a "Certificate").
Certain other  information is presented  based on the aggregate  amounts for the
Trust  as a  whole.  Capitalized  terms  used in  this  Certificate  have  their
respective  meanings  set  forth  in the  Agreement  or  Series  Supplement,  as
applicable.

A)   Information   Regarding  the  1997   Distribution  for  the  Series  1993-2
     Certificates (stated on the basis of $1,000 original certificate  principal
     amount)

     (1)  The total amount distributed to Series 1993-2  Certificateholders  per
          $1,000 original certificate principal amount................$57.500000

     (2)  The  amount  set forth in A (1)  above  distributed  to Series  1993-2
          Certificateholders  with  respect  to  interest  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount................................$57.500000

     (3)  The  amount  set forth in A (1)  above  distributed  to Series  1993-2
          Certificateholders  with  respect to  principal  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount.................................$0.000000

B)   Information Regarding the Performance of the Trust

     (1)  Allocation   of   Receivables   Collections   to  the  Series   1993-2
          Certificates

          (a)  The  aggregate  amount of Finance  Charge  Receivables  collected
               during 1997.....................................$1,182,331,275.78

          (b)  The aggregate  amount of Principal  Receivables  collected during
               1997............................................$4,858,934,259.32

          (c)  The weighted average Floating Allocation  Percentage with respect
               to the Series 1993-2 Certificates for 1997..............7.254433%

          (d)  The weighted average Principal Allocation Percentage with respect
               to the Series 1993-2  Certificates for 1997.............9.093138%

          (e)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables,  collected and allocated to the
               Series 1993-2 Certificates for 1997................$85,771,435.71

          (f)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1993-2 Certificates for 1997......................$441,829,593.31

     (2)  Available Finance Charge Collections for Series 1993-2 for 1997

          (a)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  collected  and allocated to the
               Series 1993-2 Certificates.........................$85,771,435.71

          (b)  Collection   Account  and  Special  Funding  Account   investment
               earnings       allocated      to      the      Series      1993-2
               Certificates........................................$1,074,954.62

          (c)  Additional  Finance  Charges from other  Series  allocated to the
               Series 1993-2 Certificates..................................$0.00

          (d)  Principal Funding Account Investment Proceeds.......$7,151,285.45

          (e)  Reserve Account withdrawals.................................$0.00

          (f)  Available Finance Charge  Collections for Series 1993-2 (total of
               (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) above)..................$93,997,675.78

     (3)  Available Principal Collections for Series 1993-2 for 1997

          (a)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1993-2 Certificates...............................$441,829,593.31

          (b)  Shared  Principal  Collections from other Series allocated to the
               Series 1993-2 Certificates..................................$0.00

          (c)  Additional   amounts  to  be  treated  as   Available   Principal
               Collections pursuant to the Series Supplement......$32,563,818.56

          (d)  Available Principal  Collections for Series 1993-2 (total of (a),
               (b) and (c) above)................................$474,393,411.87

     (4)  Delinquent Balances in the Trust

          The  aggregate   outstanding   balance  of  the  Accounts  which  were
          delinquent as of the close of business on the last day of 1997

          (a)     31-60 days                            $90,462,505
          (b)     61-90 days                             58,423,393
          (c)     91 or more days                       106,751,927
                                                        ------------
          (d)     Total Delinquencies                  $255,637,825

     (5)  Defaulted Amount

          (a)  The aggregate amount of Defaulted Receivables with respect to the
               Trust for 1997....................................$496,663,565.73

          (b)  The  aggregate  amount of  Recoveries  of  Defaulted  Receivables
               processed during 1997..............................$49,915,967.82

          (c)  The  Defaulted  Amount  for  1997  [Defaulted  Receivables  minus
               Recoveries].......................................$446,747,597.91

          (d)  The  Defaulted  Amount for 1997  allocable  to the Series  1993-2
               Certificates (the "Investor Default Amount").......$32,563,818.56

     (6)  Investor Charge-Offs

          (a)  The amount withdrawn, if any, under the Series Enhancement during
               1997........................................................$0.00

          (b)  The excess of the Investor Default Amount over the sum of (i) the
               Available  Finance  Charge  Collections  applied to such Investor
               Default  Amount  and (ii) the amount of the  withdrawal,  if any,
               under the Series  Enhancement  applied to such  Investor  Default
               Amount (an "Investor Charge-Off") for 1997..................$0.00

          (c)  The  amount  of the  Investor  Charge-Off  set forth in item 6(b)
               above,  per $1,000 original  certificate  principal amount (which
               will have the effect of  reducing,  pro rata,  the amount of each
               Series 1993-2 Certificateholder's investment) for 1997..$0.000000

          (d)  The  total  amount   reimbursed   to  the  Trust  for  such  last
               Distribution Date of 1997 in respect of Investor  Charge-Offs for
               prior Distribution Dates....................................$0.00

          (e)  The  amount  set forth in item 6(d)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               increasing,   pro  rata,   the  amount  of  each  Series   1993-2
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997................$0.000000

          (f)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Series 1993-2 Certificates exceeds the Series 1993-2 Invested
               Amount as of the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after  giving
               effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (7)  Investor Monthly Servicing Fee

          The amount of the Series 1993-2  Monthly  Servicing Fee payable to the
          Servicer during 1997.....................................$6,562,500.00

     (8) Available Series Enhancement Amount

          (a)  The  Available  Cash  Collateral  Amount  for the  Series  1993-2
               Certificateholders  as of the  close  of  business  on  the  last
               Distribution  Date of 1997 after giving  effect to all  deposits,
               withdrawals and  distributions on such  Distribution Date and the
               related Transfer Date..............................$46,666,666.67

          (b)  The  percentage of the Available  Cash  Collateral  Amount to the
               Invested Amount of the Series 1993-2 Certificates as of the close
               of business on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997, after giving
               effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such
               Distribution Date and the related Transfer Date............20.00%

          (c)  The amount of the Enhancement  Invested Amount, if any, as of the
               close of business on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after
               giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and  distributions on
               such Distribution Date and the related Transfer Date........$0.00

     (9)  Principal Funding Account Amount

          (a)  The amount on deposit in the Principal  Funding Account as of the
               close of business on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after
               giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and  distributions on
               such    Distribution    Date    and    the    related    Transfer
               Date..............................................$299,999,999.98

          (b)  Deposits  in  the  Principal  Funding  Account  commenced  on the
               Distribution Date occurring in April,  1997. (The initial funding
               date for the Principal Funding Account may be modified in certain
               circumstances   in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  Series
               Supplement.)

     (10) Deficit Controlled Accumulation Amount

          The Deficit Controlled  Accumulation  Amount for the last Distribution
          Date of 1997,  after giving  effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and
          distributions  on such  Distribution  Date  and the  related  Transfer
          Date.............................................................$0.00

     (11) Reserve Account

          (a)  The amount on deposit in the  Reserve  Account as of the close of
               business  on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after  giving
               effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such
               Distribution Date and the related Transfer Date.....$5,000,000.00

          (b)  The Required  Reserve  Account Amount is currently  calculated to
               be..................................................$5,000,000.00

          (c)  Deposits in the Reserve  Account  commenced  on the  Distribution
               Date occurring in January,  1997.  (The initial  funding date for
               the Reserve Account may be modified in certain  circumstances  in
               accordance with the terms of the Series Supplement.)

C)   Invested Amount

     (1)  The Invested  Amount of the Series 1993-2  Certificates on the date of
          issuance (the "Initial Invested Amount")...............$500,000,000.00

     (2)  The  Invested  Amount of the Series  1993-2  Certificates  on the last
          Distribution  Date of  1997,  after  giving  effect  to all  deposits,
          withdrawals     and     distributions     on     such     Distribution
          Date...................................................$500,000,000.00

     (3)  The  Pool  Factor  for the  last  Distribution  Date  of  1997  (which
          represents  the  ratio of the  Invested  Amount of the  Series  1993-2
          Certificates as of such Distribution  Date, after giving effect to any
          adjustment in the Invested  Amount of the 1993-2  Certificates on such
          date,   to  the  Initial   Invested   Amount  of  the  Series   1993-2
          Certificates).  The amount of a Certificateholder's  pro rata share of
          the Invested  Amount can be  determined  by  multiplying  the original
          denomination  of  the  Certificateholder's  Certificate  by  the  Pool
          Factor........................................................1.000000

D)   Receivables Balances

     (1)  The  aggregate  amount of  Principal  Receivables  in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997...............$5,801,095,181

     (2)  The aggregate amount of Finance Charge Receivables in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997.................$119,933,174

E)   Annualized Percentages

     (1)  The average  Gross Yield for 1997 (sum of monthly  Gross Yield divided
          by 12)..........................................................18.80%

     (2)  The  average Net Loss Rate for 1997 (sum of the monthly Net Loss Rates
          divided by 12)...................................................6.51%

     (3)  The average  Portfolio  Yield for 1997 (the average  Gross Yield minus
          the  average  Net Loss Rate for the  Series  1993-2  Certificates  for
          1997)...........................................................12.29%

     (4)  The average Base Rate for 1997 (sum of the monthly Base Rates  divided
          by 12)...........................................................7.06%

     (5)  The average Net Spread (the average  Portfolio Yield minus the average
          Base    Rate    for    the    Series    1993-2     Certificates    for
          1997.............................................................5.23%

     (6)  The average Monthly Payment Rate (sum of monthly Payment Rates divided
          by 12)...........................................................8.99%

F)   Series 1993-2 Information for the Last Three Distribution Dates in 1997

     1)   Gross Yield

          a)  12/15/97               13.02%
          b)  11/17/97               16.86%
          c)  10/15/97               18.23%

     2)   Net Loss Rate

          a)  12/15/97                4.04%
          b)  11/17/97                5.15%
          c)  10/15/97                5.08%

     3)   Net Spread (Portfolio Yield Minus Base Rate)

          a)  12/15/97                2.41%
          b)  11/17/97                5.03%
          c)  10/15/97                6.35%

          Three Month Average         4.60%

     4)   Monthly Payment Rate

          a)  12/15/97                8.29%
          b)  11/17/97                9.61%
          c)  10/15/97                9.53%


                                      PROVIDIAN  NATIONAL BANK,
                                      Servicer


                                      By:    /s/ Daniel Sanford
                                             _____________________________
                                      Name:  Daniel Sanford
                                      Title: Vice President and Controller



                     ANNUAL CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' STATEMENT
                  ---------------------------------------------

                             PROVIDIAN MASTER TRUST
                                  SERIES 1995-1
                  ---------------------------------------------

     Pursuant to the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement  dated as of June 1, 1993
(as amended and supplemented,  the  "Agreement"),  as supplemented by the Series
1995-1  Supplement  dated as of June 1, 1995 (as amended and  supplemented,  the
"Series Supplement"),  among Providian National Bank ("PNB"),  formerly known as
First Deposit  National  Bank,  Seller and Servicer,  and Bankers Trust Company,
Trustee,  PNB as Servicer is required to prepare certain  information  each year
regarding current distributions to Senior  Certificateholders and the Collateral
Interest Holder and the performance of the Providian  Master Trust (the "Trust")
during the previous year. The  information  which is required to be prepared for
the Series 1995-1 Certificates with respect to the year ended December 31, 1997,
and with respect to the performance of the Trust during 1997 is set forth below.
Certain of the  information  is presented on the basis of an original  principal
amount  of  $1,000  per  Investor  Certificate.  Certain  other  information  is
presented based on the aggregate  amounts for the Trust as a whole.  Capitalized
terms used in this Certificate  have their respective  meanings set forth in the
Agreement or Series Supplement, as applicable.

A)   Information  Regarding the 1997  Distribution  for the Series 1995-1 Senior
     Certificates (stated on the basis of $1,000 original certificate  principal
     amount)

     (1)  The total amount distributed to Senior  Certificateholders  per $1,000
          original certificate principal amount.......................$58.649847

     (2)  The   amount   set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Senior
          Certificateholders  with  respect  to  interest  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount................................$58.649847

     (3)  The   amount   set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Senior
          Certificateholders  with  respect to  principal  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount.................................$0.000000

B)   Information Regarding the Performance of the Trust

     (1)  Allocation   of   Receivables   Collections   to  the  Series   1995-1
          Certificates

          (a)  The  aggregate  amount of Finance  Charge  Receivables  collected
               during 1997.....................................$1,159,459,303.78

          (b)  The aggregate  amount of  Interchange  collected and allocated to
               the Trust during 1997..............................$22,871,972.00

          (c)  The aggregate  amount of Principal  Receivables  collected during
               1997............................................$4,858,934,259.32

          (d)  The weighted average Floating Allocation  Percentage with respect
               to the Series 1995-1 Certificates for 1997.............17.301583%

          (e)  The weighted average Principal Allocation Percentage with respect
               to the Series 1995-1 Certificates for 1997.............17.276962%

          (f)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated    to    the    Series    1995-1    Certificates    for
               1997..............................................$204,562,030.76

          (g)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1995-1 Certificates for 1997......................$839,476,227.25

     (2)  Available  Finance  Charge   Collections  and  Reallocated   Principal
          Collections for Series 1995-1 for 1997

          (a)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated          to         the          Series          1995-1
               Certificates......................................$204,562,030.76

          (b)  Collection   Account  and  Special  Funding  Account   investment
               earnings       allocated      to      the      Series      1995-1
               Certificates..........................................$866,158.04

          (c)  Principal Funding Account Investment Proceeds...............$0.00

          (d)  Prefunding Account Investment Proceeds......................$0.00

          (e)  Reserve Account withdrawals, if applicable..................$0.00

          (f)  Additional  Finance  Charges from other  Series  allocated to the
               Series 1995-1 Certificates..........................$7,009,993.14

          (g)  Payments,  if  any,  on  deposit  as of  the  Determination  Date
               received      from     any     Interest      Rate      Protection
               Agreements..................................................$0.00

          (h)  Reallocated Principal Collections...........................$0.00

          (i)  Total  Available  Finance  Charge   Collections  and  Reallocated
               Principal  Collections for Series 1995-1 (total of (a), (b), (c),
               (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) above).................$212,438,181.94

     (3)  Available Principal Collections for Series 1995-1 for 1997

          (a)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1995-1 Certificates...............................$839,476,227.25

          (b)  Shared  Principal  Collections from other Series allocated to the
               Series 1995-1 Certificates..................................$0.00

          (c)  Additional   amounts  to  be  treated  as   Available   Principal
               Collections         pursuant         to        the         Series
               Supplement.........................................$77,223,582.36

          (d)  Reallocated Principal Collections...........................$0.00

          (e)  Available Principal  Collections for Series 1995-1 (total of (a),
               (b) and (c) minus (d) above)......................$916,699,809.61

     (4)  Delinquent Balances in the Trust

          The  aggregate   outstanding   balance  of  the  Accounts  which  were
          delinquent as of the close of business on the last day of 1997.

          (a)  31-60 days                      $90,462,505
          (b)  61-90 days                       58,423,393
          (c)  91 or more days                 106,751,927
                                              ------------
          (d)  Total Delinquencies            $255,637,825

     (5)  Defaulted Amount

          (a)  The aggregate amount of Defaulted Receivables with respect to the
               Trust for 1997....................................$496,663,565.73

          (b)  The  aggregate  amount of  Recoveries  of  Defaulted  Receivables
               processed during 1997..............................$49,915,967.82

          (c)  The  Defaulted  Amount  for  1997  [Defaulted  Receivables  minus
               Recoveries].......................................$446,747,597.91

          (d)  The  Defaulted  Amount for 1997  allocable  to the Series  1995-1
               Certificates       (the      "Series       1995-1       Defaulted
               Amount")...........................................$77,223,582.36

          (e)  The Senior Defaulted Amount for 1997...............$61,006,630.06

     (6)  Senior Charge-Offs

          (a)  The excess,  if any, of the Senior  Defaulted Amount over the sum
               of (i)  Available  Finance  Charge  Collections  applied  to such
               Senior Defaulted Amount, (ii) Reallocated  Principal  Collections
               and (iii) the amount by which the Collateral  Invested Amount has
               been  reduced  in  respect  of such  Senior  Defaulted  Amount (a
               "Senior Charge-Off")........................................$0.00

          (b)  The amount of the Senior Charge-Off set forth in item 6(a) above,
               per $1,000 original certificate principal amount (which will have
               the  effect of  reducing,  pro rata,  the  amount of each  Senior
               Certificateholder's investment).........................$0.000000

          (c)  The total amount  reimbursed on the Distribution  Date in respect
               of Senior Charge-Offs for 1997..............................$0.00

          (d)  The  amount  set forth in item 6(c)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               increasing,    pro   rata,    the    amount   of   each    Senior
               Certificateholder's investment).........................$0.000000

          (e)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Senior  Certificates  exceeds the Senior  Invested Amount and
               the Senior Initial  Percentage of the Prefunding Account Balance,
               if any, as of the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after giving
               effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (7)  Reductions in the Collateral Interest

          (a)  The  excess,  if any,  of the  Collateral  Defaulted  Amount over
               Available Finance Charge  Collections  applied to such Collateral
               Defaulted Amount............................................$0.00

          (b)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced  on the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in  respect  of
               Reallocated Principal Collections...........................$0.00

          (c)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in respect of the
               unpaid Required Amount......................................$0.00

          (d)  The total amount by which the Collateral Invested Amount has been
               reduced  on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 as set  forth in
               items 7(a), (b) and (c).....................................$0.00

          (e)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in respect of reductions  in the  Collateral  Invested  Amount on
               prior Distribution Dates....................................$0.00

          (f)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Collateral  Interest  exceeds the Collateral  Invested Amount
               and the Collateral  Percentage of the Prefunding Account Balance,
               if any, as of the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after giving
               effect to all deposits, withdrawals and distributions on the last
               Distribution Date of 1997...................................$0.00

     (8)  Investor Monthly Servicing Fee

          The amount of the Series 1995-1  Monthly  Servicing Fee payable to the
          Servicer during 1997....................................$16,625,000.00

     (9)  Prefunding Account

          (a)  The Prefunding  Account Balance on the last  Distribution Date of
               1997........................................................$0.00

          (b)  The Senior  Percentage of the Prefunding  Account  Balance on the
               last Distribution Date of 1997..............................$0.00

          (c)  The Collateral  Percentage of the Prefunding  Account  Balance on
               the last Distribution Date of 1997..........................$0.00

     (10) Senior Monthly Interest

          (a)  Senior Monthly Interest payable during 1997........$44,379,878.96

     (11) Principal Funding Account Amount

          (a)  The  amount on deposit in the  Principal  Funding  Account on the
               Distribution   Date,   after  giving   effect  to  all  deposits,
               withdrawals    and    distributions    on    such    Distribution
               Date........................................................$0.00

          (b)  Deposits to the Principal Funding Account are currently scheduled
               to commence on the Distribution Date occurring in December,  1998
               (The initial  funding date for the Principal  Funding Account may
               be modified in certain circumstances in accordance with the terms
               of the Series Supplement.)

     (12) Deficit Controlled Accumulation Amount

          The Deficit Controlled  Accumulation Amount for the Distribution Date,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (13) Reserve Account (if applicable)

          (a)  The amount on deposit in the Reserve Account,  if funded,  on the
               Distribution   Date,   after  giving   effect  to  all  deposits,
               withdrawals and  distributions on such  Distribution Date and the
               related Transfer Date.........................................N/A

          (b)  The Required  Reserve  Account  Amount,  if any,  selected by the
               Servicer......................................................N/A

C)   Senior Invested Amount

     (1)  The Senior Invested Amount and the Senior Percentage of the Prefunding
          Account   Balance  on  the  date  of  issuance  (the  "Senior  Initial
          Amount")...............................................$750,500,000.00

     (2)  The Senior Invested Amount and the Senior Percentage of the Prefunding
          Account Balance,  if any, on the last Distribution Date of 1997, after
          giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and  distributions on such
          Distribution  Date.....................................$750,500,000.00

     (3)  The  Pool  Factor  for the  last  Distribution  Date  of  1997  (which
          represents  the ratio of the  Senior  Invested  Amount  and the Senior
          Percentage  of the  Prefunding  Account  Balance,  if any,  as of such
          Distribution Date, after giving effect to any adjustment in the Senior
          Invested  Amount on such  Distribution  Date,  to the  Senior  Initial
          Amount). The amount of a Senior  Certificateholder's pro rate share of
          the Senior Invested Amount and the Prefunding Account Balance, if any,
          can be  determined by  multiplying  the original  denomination  of the
          Senior     Certificateholder's     Certificate     by     the     Pool
          Factor........................................................1.000000

D)   Collateral Invested Amount

     (1)  The Collateral  Invested  Amount and the Collateral  Percentage of the
          Prefunding      Account      Balance      on     the      date      of
          issuance...............................................$199,500,000.00

     (2)  The Collateral  Invested  Amount and the Collateral  Percentage of the
          Prefunding  Account Balance,  if any, on the last Distribution Date of
          1997,   after  giving   effect  to  all  deposits,   withdrawals   and
          distributions on such Distribution Date................$199,500,000.00

     (3)  The  Collateral  Invested  Amount  as a  percentage  of the sum of the
          Collateral  Invested  Amount  and the Senior  Invested  Amount on such
          Distribution Date...............................................21.00%

E)   Receivables Balances

     (1)  The  aggregate  amount of  Principal  Receivables  in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997...............$5,801,095,181

     (2)  The aggregate amount of Finance Charge Receivables in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997.................$119,933,174

F)   Annualized Percentages

     (1)  The  average  Gross  Yield for 1997 (sum of the  monthly  Gross  Yield
          divided by 12)..................................................22.36%

     (2)  The  average  Net Loss Rates for 1997  (sum of monthly  Net Loss Rates
          divided by 12)...................................................8.13%

     (3)  The average Portfolio Yield for 1997 the average Gross Yield minus the
          average Net Loss Rate for 1997).................................14.23%

     (4)  The average Base Rate for 1997 (sum of monthly  Base Rates  divided by
          12)..............................................................7.98%

     (5)  The average Net Spread for 1997 (the average Portfolio Yield minus the
          average Base Rate for 1997)......................................6.25%

     (6)  The average  Monthly Payment Rate for 1997 (sum of the monthly Payment
          Rates divided by 12).............................................8.99%

G)   Series 1995-1 Information for the Last Three Distribution Dates in 1997

     1)   Gross Yield

          a) 12/15/97                19.18%
          b) 11/17/97                22.89%
          c) 10/15/97                24.01%

     2)   Net Loss Rate

          a) 12/15/97                 7.57%
          b) 11/17/97                 8.58%
          c) 10/15/97                 7.62%


     3)   Net Spread (Portfolio Yield Minus Base Rate)

          a) 12/15/97                 4.05%
          b) 11/17/97                 5.84%
          c) 10/15/97                 8.48%

          Three Month Average         6.12%

     4)   Monthly Payment Rate

          a) 12/15/97                 8.29%
          b) 11/17/97                 9.61%
          c) 10/15/97                 9.53%



                                      PROVIDIAN NATIONAL BANK,
                                      Servicer


                                     By:    /s/ Daniel Sanford
                                            _________________________________
                                     Name:  Daniel Sanford
                                     Title: Vice President and Controller



                      ANNUAL CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' STATEMENT
                  ---------------------------------------------
                             PROVIDIAN MASTER TRUST
                                  SERIES 1995-2
                  ---------------------------------------------

     Pursuant to the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement  dated as of June 1, 1993
(as amended and supplemented,  the  "Agreement"),  as supplemented by the Series
1995-2  Supplement  dated as of June 1, 1995 (as amended and  supplemented,  the
"Series Supplement"),  among Providian National Bank ("PNB"),  formerly known as
First Deposit  National  Bank,  Seller and Servicer,  and Bankers Trust Company,
Trustee,  PNB as Servicer is required to prepare certain  information  each year
regarding current distributions to Senior  Certificateholders and the Collateral
Interest Holder and the performance of the Providian  Master Trust (the "Trust")
during the previous year. The  information  which is required to be prepared for
the Series 1995-2  Certificates with respect to the year ended December 31, 1997
and with respect to the performance of the Trust during 1997 is set forth below.
Certain of the  information  is presented on the basis of an original  principal
amount  of  $1,000  per  Investor  Certificate.  Certain  other  information  is
presented based on the aggregate  amounts for the Trust as a whole.  Capitalized
terms used in this Certificate  have their respective  meanings set forth in the
Agreement or Series Supplement, as applicable.

A)   Information  Regarding the 1997  Distribution  for the Series 1995-2 Senior
     Certificates (stated on the basis of $1,000 original certificate  principal
     amount)

     (1)  The total amount distributed to Senior  Certificateholders  per $1,000
          original certificate principal amount.......................$60.500000

     (2)  The   amount   set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Senior
          Certificateholders  with  respect  to  interest  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount................................$60.500000

     (3)  The   amount   set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Senior
          Certificateholders  with  respect to  principal  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount.................................$0.000000

B)   Information Regarding the Performance of the Trust

     (1)  Allocation   of   Receivables   Collections   to  the  Series   1995-2
          Certificates

          (a)  The  aggregate  amount of Finance  Charge  Receivables  collected
               during 1997.....................................$1,159,459,303.78

          (b)  The aggregate  amount of  Interchange  collected and allocated to
               the Trust during 1997..............................$22,871,972.00

          (c)  The aggregate  amount of Principal  Receivables  collected during
               1997............................................$4,858,934,259.32

          (d)  The weighted average Floating Allocation  Percentage with respect
               to the Series 1995-2 Certificates for 1997.............10.016706%

          (e)  The weighted average Principal Allocation Percentage with respect
               to the Series 1995-2 Certificates for 1997.............10.002452%

          (f)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated    to    the    Series    1995-2    Certificates    for
               1997..............................................$118,430,649.38

          (g)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1995-2 Certificates for 1997......................$486,012,552.61

     (2)  Available  Finance  Charge   Collections  and  Reallocated   Principal
          Collections for Series 1995-2 for 1997

          (a)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated to the Series 1995-2 Certificate........$118,430,649.38

          (b)  Collection   Account  and  Special  Funding  Account   investment
               earnings       allocated      to      the      Series      1995-2
               Certificates..........................................$603,548.52

          (c)  Principal Funding Account Investment Proceeds...............$0.00

          (d)  Reserve Account withdrawals.................................$0.00

          (e)  Additional  Finance  Charges from other  Series  allocated to the
               Series 1995-2 Certificates..........................$1,923,072.62

          (f)  Payments,  if  any,  on  deposit  as of  the  Determination  Date
               received from any Interest Rate Protection Agreements.......$0.00

          (g)  Reallocated Principal Collections...........................$0.00

          (h)  Total  Available  Finance  Charge   Collections  and  Reallocated
               Principal  Collections for Series 1995-2 (total of (a), (b), (c),
               (d), (e), (f) and (g) above)......................$120,957,270.52

     (3)  Available Principal Collections for Series 1995-2 for 1997

          (a)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1995-2 Certificates...............................$486,012,552.61

          (b)  Shared  Principal  Collections from other Series allocated to the
               Series 1995-2 Certificates.........................$42,881,137.01

          (c)  Additional   amounts  to  be  treated  as   Available   Principal
               Collections pursuant to the Series Supplement......$44,708,389.79

          (d)  Reallocated Principal Collections...........................$0.00

          (e)  Available Principal  Collections for Series 1995-2 (total of (a),
               (b) and (c) minus (d) above)......................$573,602,079.41

     (4)  Delinquent Balances in the Trust

          The  aggregate   outstanding   balance  of  the  Accounts  which  were
          delinquent as of the close of business on the last day of 1997

          (a)  31-60 days                                   $90,462,505
          (b)  61-90 days                                    58,423,393
          (c)  91 or more days                              106,751,927
                                                            -----------
          (d)  Total Delinquencies                         $255,637,825

     (5)  Defaulted Amount

          (a)  The aggregate amount of Defaulted Receivables with respect to the
               Trust for 1997....................................$496,663,565.73

          (b)  The  aggregate  amount of  Recoveries  of  Defaulted  Receivables
               processed during 1997..............................$49,915,967.82

          (c)  The  Defaulted  Amount  for  1997  [Defaulted  Receivables  minus
               Recoveries].......................................$446,747,597.91

          (d)  The  Defaulted  Amount for 1997  allocable  to the Series  1995-2
               Certificates       (the      "Series       1995-2       Defaulted
               Amount")...........................................$44,708,389.78

          (e)  The Senior Defaulted Amount for 1997...............$36,213,795.73

     (6)  Senior Charge-Offs

          (a)  The excess,  if any, of the Senior  Defaulted Amount over the sum
               of (i)  Available  Finance  Charge  Collections  applied  to such
               Senior Defaulted Amount, (ii) Reallocated  Principal  Collections
               and (iii) the amount by which the Collateral  Invested Amount has
               been  reduced  in  respect  of such  Senior  Defaulted  Amount (a
               "Senior Charge-Off") for 1997...............................$0.00

          (b)  The amount of the Senior Charge-Off set forth in item 6(a) above,
               per $1,000 original certificate principal amount (which will have
               the  effect of  reducing,  pro rata,  the  amount of each  Senior
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997................$0.000000

          (c)  The total amount reimbursed in respect of Senior  Charge-Offs for
               1997........................................................$0.00

          (d)  The  amount  set forth in item 6(c)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               increasing,    pro   rata,    the    amount   of   each    Senior
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997................$0.000000

          (e)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Senior Certificates  exceeds the Senior Invested Amount as of
               the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after giving effect to all
               deposits, withdrawals and distributions on such Distribution Date
               of 1997.....................................................$0.00

     (7)  Reductions in the Collateral Interest

          (a)  The  excess,  if any,  of the  Collateral  Defaulted  Amount over
               Available Finance Charge  Collections  applied to such Collateral
               Defaulted   Amount   on   the   last    Distribution    Date   of
               1997........................................................$0.00


          (b)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced  on the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in  respect  of
               Reallocated Principal Collections...........................$0.00

          (c)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in respect of the
               unpaid Required Amount......................................$0.00

          (d)  The total amount by which the Collateral Invested Amount has been
               reduced  on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 as set  forth in
               items 7(a), (b) and (c).....................................$0.00

          (e)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in respect of reductions  in the  Collateral  Invested  Amount on
               prior Distribution Dates....................................$0.00

          (f)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Collateral Interest exceeds the Collateral Invested Amount as
               of the last Distribution Date of 1997, after giving effect to all
               deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on the last Distribution
               Date of 1997................................................$0.00

     (8)  Investor Monthly Servicing Fee

          The amount of the Series 1995-2  Monthly  Servicing Fee payable to the
          Servicer during 1997.....................................$9,625,000.00

     (9) Senior Monthly Interest

          (a) Senior Monthly Interest payable during 1997.........$26,952,750.00

     (10) Principal Funding Account Amount

          (a)  The  amount on deposit in the  Principal  Funding  Account on the
               last  Distribution  Date of  1997,  after  giving  effect  to all
               deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such  Distribution
               Date........................................................$0.00

          (b)  Deposits to the Principal Funding Account are currently scheduled
               to commence on the Distribution Date occurring in January,  1998.
               (The initial  funding date for the Principal  Funding Account may
               be modified in certain circumstances in accordance with the terms
               of the Series Supplement.)

     (11) Deficit Controlled Accumulation Amount

          The Deficit Controlled  Accumulation  Amount for the last Distribution
          Date of 1997,  after giving  effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and
          distributions on such Distribution Date..........................$0.00

     (12) Reserve Account

          (a)  The  amount  on  deposit  in the  Reserve  Account  on  the  last
               Distribution  Date of 1997,  after giving effect to all deposits,
               withdrawals and  distributions on such  Distribution Date and the
               related Transfer Date...............................$1,670,625.00

          (b)  The Required Reserve Account Amount (which may vary in accordance
               with the terms of the Series Supplement) is currently  calculated
               to be...............................................$1,670,625.00

          (c)  Deposits to the Reserve  Account  commenced  on the  Distribution
               Date occurring in December,  1997.  (The initial funding date for
               the Reserve Account may be modified in certain  circumstances  in
               accordance with the terms of the Series Supplement.)

C)   Senior Invested Amount

     (1)  The  Senior  Invested  Amount  on the date of  issuance  (the  "Senior
          Initial Invested Amount")..............................$445,500,000.00

     (2)  The  Senior  Invested  Amount on the last  Distribution  Date in 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date.................................$445,500,000.00

     (3)  The  Pool  Factor  for the  last  Distribution  Date  of  1997  (which
          represents  the  ratio  of  the  Senior  Invested  Amount  as of  such
          Distribution Date, after giving effect to any adjustment in the Senior
          Invested  Amount on such  Distribution  Date,  to the  Senior  Initial
          Invested Amount). The amount of a Senior  Certificateholder's pro rate
          share of the Senior  Invested  Amount can be determined by multiplying
          the   original   denomination   of  the   Senior   Certificateholder's
          Certificate by the Pool Factor................................1.000000

D)   Collateral Invested Amount

     (1)  The     Collateral     Invested     Amount     on    the    date    of
          issuance...............................................$104,500,000.00

     (2)  The Collateral  Invested Amount on the last Distribution Date of 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date.................................$104,500,000.00

     (3)  The  Collateral  Invested  Amount  as a  percentage  of the sum of the
          Collateral  Invested  Amount  and the Senior  Invested  Amount on such
          Distribution Date...............................................19.00%

E)   Receivables Balances

     (1)  The  aggregate  amount of  Principal  Receivables  in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997...............$5,801,095,181

     (2)  The aggregate amount of Finance Charge Receivables in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997.................$119,933,174

F)   Annualized Percentages

     (1)  The  average  Gross Yield for 1997 (sum of the  monthly  Gross  Yields
          divided by 12)..................................................21.99%

     (2)  The  average  Net Loss Rate for 1997 (sum of  monthly  Net Loss  Rates
          divided by 12)...................................................8.13%

     (3)  The average  Portfolio  Yield for 1997 (the average  Gross Yield minus
          the average Net Loss Rate for 1997).............................13.86%

     (4)  The average Base Rate for 1997 (sum of monthly  Base Rates  divided by
          12)..............................................................8.07%

     (5)  The average Net Spread for 1997 (the average Portfolio Yield minus the
          average Base Rate for 1997.......................................5.79%

     (6)  The  average  Monthly  Payment  Rate for 1997 (sum of monthly  Payment
          Rates divided by 12).............................................8.99%

G)   Series 1995-2 Information for the Last Three Distribution Dates in 1997

     1)   Gross Yield

          a) 12/15/97                19.20%
          b) 11/17/97                22.88%
          c) 10/15/97                24.01%

     2)   Net Loss Rate

          a) 12/15/97                 7.57%
          b) 11/17/97                 8.58%
          c) 10/15/97                 7.62%

     3)   Net Spread (Portfolio Yield Minus Base Rate)

          a) 12/15/97                 3.65%
          b) 11/17/97                 6.14%
          c) 10/15/97                 8.34%

          Three Month Average         6.04%

     4)   Monthly Payment Rate

          a)  12/15/97                8.29%
          b)  11/17/97                9.61%
          c)  10/15/97                9.53%

                                      PROVIDIAN NATIONAL BANK,
                                      Servicer

                                             /s/ Daniel Sanford
                                      By:    _________________________________
                                      Name:  Daniel Sanford
                                      Title: Vice President and Controller



                      ANNUAL CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' STATEMENT
                  ---------------------------------------------
                             PROVIDIAN MASTER TRUST
                                  SERIES 1996-1
                  ---------------------------------------------

     Pursuant to the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement  dated as of June 1, 1993
(as amended and supplemented,  the  "Agreement"),  as supplemented by the Series
1996-1  Supplement  dated as of June 1, 1996 (as amended and  supplemented,  the
"Series Supplement"),  among Providian National Bank ("PNB"),  formerly known as
First Deposit  National  Bank,  Seller and Servicer,  and Bankers Trust Company,
Trustee,  PNB as Servicer is required to prepare certain  information  each year
regarding current distributions to Senior  Certificateholders and the Collateral
Interest Holder and the performance of the Providian  Master Trust (the "Trust")
during the previous year. The  information  which is required to be prepared for
the Series 1996-1 Certificates with respect to the year ended December 31, 1997,
and with respect to the performance of the Trust during 1997 is set forth below.
Certain of the  information  is presented on the basis of an original  principal
amount  of  $1,000  per  Investor  Certificate.  Certain  other  information  is
presented based on the aggregate  amounts for the Trust as a whole.  Capitalized
terms used in this Certificate  have their respective  meanings set forth in the
Agreement or Series Supplement, as applicable.

A)   Information  Regarding the 1997  Distribution  for the Series 1996-1 Senior
     Certificates (stated on the basis of $1,000 original certificate  principal
     amount)

     (1)  The total amount distributed to Senior  Certificateholders  per $1,000
          original certificate principal amount.......................$58.447626

     (2)  The   amount   set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Senior
          Certificateholders  with  respect  to  interest  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount................................$58.447626

     (3)  The   amount   set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Senior
          Certificateholders  with  respect to  principal  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount.................................$0.000000

B)   Information Regarding the Performance of the Trust

     (1)  Allocation   of   Receivables   Collections   to  the  Series   1996-1
          Certificates

          (a)  The  aggregate  amount of Finance  Charge  Receivables  collected
               during 1997.....................................$1,159,459,303.78

          (b)  The aggregate  amount of  Interchange  collected and allocated to
               the Trust during 1997..............................$22,871,972.00

          (c)  The aggregate  amount of Principal  Receivables  collected during
               1997............................................$4,858,934,259.32

          (d)  The weighted average Floating Allocation  Percentage with respect
               to the Series 1996-1 Certificates for 1997.............17.301583%

          (e)  The weighted average Principal Allocation Percentage with respect
               to the Series 1996-1 Certificates for 1997.............17.276962%

          (f)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated    to    the    Series    1996-1    Certificates    for
               1997..............................................$204,562,030.76

          (g)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1996-1 Certificates for 1997......................$839,476,227.25

     (2)  Available  Finance  Charge   Collections  and  Reallocated   Principal
          Collections for Series 1996-1 for 1997

          (a)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated to the Series 1996-1 Certificates.......$204,562,030.76

          (b)  Collection   Account  and  Special  Funding  Account   investment
               earnings       allocated      to      the      Series      1996-1
               Certificates..........................................$865,595.06

          (c)  Principal Funding Account Investment Proceeds...............$0.00

          (d)  Prefunding Account Investment Proceeds.....................$00.00

          (e)  Reserve Account withdrawals, if applicable..................$0.00

          (f)  Additional  Finance  Charges from other  Series  allocated to the
               Series 1996-1 Certificates.........................$11,801,265.41

          (g)  Payments,  if  any,  on  deposit  as of  the  Determination  Date
               received from any Interest Rate Protection Agreements.......$0.00

          (h)  Reallocated Principal Collections...........................$0.00

          (i)  Total  Available  Finance  Charge   Collections  and  Reallocated
               Principal  Collections for Series 1996-1 (total of (a), (b), (c),
               (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) above).................$217,228,891.23

     (3)  Available Principal Collections for Series 1996-1 for 1997

          (a)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1996-1 Certificates...............................$839,476,227.25

          (b)  Shared  Principal  Collections from other Series allocated to the
               Series 1996-1 Certificates..................................$0.00

          (c)  Additional   amounts  to  be  treated  as   Available   Principal
               Collections pursuant to the Series Supplement......$77,223,582.36

          (d)  Reallocated Principal Collections...........................$0.00

          (e)  Available Principal  Collections for Series 1996-1 (total of (a),
               (b) and (c) minus (d) above)......................$916,699,809.61

     (4)  Delinquent Balances in the Trust

          The  aggregate   outstanding   balance  of  the  Accounts  which  were
          delinquent as of the close of business on the last day of 1997.

          (a)      31-60 days                  $90,462,505
          (b)      61-90 days                   58,423,393
          (c)      91 or more days             106,751,927
                                              ------------
          (d)      Total Delinquencies        $255,637,825

     (5)  Defaulted Amount

          (a)  The aggregate amount of Defaulted Receivables with respect to the
               Trust for 1997....................................$496,663,565.73

          (b)  The  aggregate  amount of  Recoveries  of  Defaulted  Receivables
               processed during 1997..............................$49,915,967.82

          (c)  The  Defaulted  Amount  for  1997  [Defaulted  Receivables  minus
               Recoveries].......................................$446,747,597.91

          (d)  The  Defaulted  Amount for 1997  allocable  to the Series  1996-1
               Certificates       (the      "Series       1996-1       Defaulted
               Amount")...........................................$77,223,582.36

          (e)  The Senior Defaulted Amount for 1997...............$61,006,630.06

     (6)  Senior Charge-Offs

          (a)  The excess,  if any, of the Senior  Defaulted Amount over the sum
               of (i)  Available  Finance  Charge  Collections  applied  to such
               Senior Defaulted Amount, (ii) Reallocated  Principal  Collections
               and (iii) the amount by which the Collateral  Invested Amount has
               been  reduced  in  respect  of such  Senior  Defaulted  Amount (a
               "Senior Charge-Off") for 1997...............................$0.00

          (b)  The amount of the Senior Charge-Off set forth in item 6(a) above,
               per $1,000 original certificate principal amount (which will have
               the  effect of  reducing,  pro rata,  the  amount of each  Senior
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997................$0.000000

          (c)  The total amount reimbursed in respect of Senior  Charge-Offs for
               1997........................................................$0.00

          (d)  The  amount  set forth in item 6(c)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               increasing,    pro   rata,    the    amount   of   each    Senior
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997................$0.000000

          (e)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Senior  Certificates  exceeds the Senior  Invested Amount and
               the Senior Initial  Percentage of the Prefunding Account Balance,
               if any, as of the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after giving
               effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (7)  Reductions in the Collateral Interest

          (a)  The  excess,  if any,  of the  Collateral  Defaulted  Amount over
               Available Finance Charge  Collections  applied to such Collateral
               Defaulted Amount on the last Distribution of 1997...........$0.00

          (b)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced  on the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in  respect  of
               Reallocated Principal Collections...........................$0.00

          (c)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in respect of the
               unpaid Required Amount......................................$0.00

          (d)  The total amount by which the Collateral Invested Amount has been
               reduced  on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 as set  forth in
               items 7(a), (b) and (c).....................................$0.00

          (e)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in respect of reductions  in the  Collateral  Invested  Amount on
               prior Distribution Dates....................................$0.00

          (f)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Collateral  Interest  exceeds the Collateral  Invested Amount
               and the Collateral  Percentage of the Prefunding Account Balance,
               if any, as of the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after giving
               effect to all deposits, withdrawals and distributions on the last
               Distribution Date of 1997...................................$0.00

     (8)  Investor Monthly Servicing Fee

          The amount of the Series 1996-1  Monthly  Servicing Fee payable to the
          Servicer during 1997....................................$16,625,000.00

     (9)  Prefunding Account

          (a)  The Prefunding  Account Balance on the last  Distribution Date of
               1997........................................................$0.00

          (b)  The Senior  Percentage of the Prefunding  Account  Balance on the
               last Distribution Date of 1997..............................$0.00

          (c)  The Collateral  Percentage of the Prefunding  Account  Balance on
               the last Distribution Date of 1997..........................$0.00

     (10) Senior Monthly Interest

          (a)  Senior Monthly Interest payable during 1997........$44,227,694.24

     (11) Principal Funding Account Amount

          (a)  The  amount on deposit in the  Principal  Funding  Account on the
               last  Distribution  Date of  1997,  after  giving  effect  to all
               deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such  Distribution
               Date........................................................$0.00

          (b)  Deposits to the Principal Funding Account are currently scheduled
               to commence on the Distribution Date occurring in November,  2001
               (The initial  funding date for the Principal  Funding Account may
               be modified in certain circumstances in accordance with the terms
               of the Series Supplement.)

     (12) Deficit Controlled Accumulation Amount

          The Deficit Controlled  Accumulation  Amount for the last Distribution
          Date of 1997,  after giving  effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and
          distributions on such Distribution Date..........................$0.00

     (13) Reserve Account (if applicable)

          (a)  The amount on deposit in the Reserve Account,  if funded,  on the
               last  Distribution  Date of  1997,  after  giving  effect  to all
               deposits, withdrawals and distributions on such Distribution Date
               and the related Transfer Date.................................N/A

          (b)  The Required  Reserve  Account  Amount,  if any,  selected by the
               Servicer......................................................N/A

C)   Senior Invested Amount

     (1)  The Senior Invested Amount and the Senior Percentage of the Prefunding
          Account   Balance  on  the  date  of  issuance  (the  "Senior  Initial
          Amount")...............................................$750,500,000.00

     (2)  The Senior Invested Amount and the Senior Percentage of the Prefunding
          Account Balance,  if any, on the last Distribution Date of 1997, after
          giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and  distributions on such
          Distribution Date......................................$750,500,000.00

     (3)  The  Pool  Factor  on  the  last  Distribution  Date  of  1997  (which
          represents  the ratio of the  Senior  Invested  Amount  and the Senior
          Percentage  of the  Prefunding  Account  Balance,  if any,  as of such
          Distribution Date, after giving effect to any adjustment in the Senior
          Invested  Amount on such  Distribution  Date,  to the  Senior  Initial
          Amount). The amount of a Senior  Certificateholder's pro rate share of
          the Senior Invested Amount and the Prefunding Account Balance, if any,
          can be  determined by  multiplying  the original  denomination  of the
          Senior     Certificateholder's     Certificate     by     the     Pool
          Factor........................................................1.000000

D)   Collateral Invested Amount

     (1)  The Collateral  Invested  Amount and the Collateral  Percentage of the
          Prefunding      Account      Balance      on     the      date      of
          issuance...............................................$199,500,000.00

     (2)  The Collateral  Invested  Amount and the Collateral  Percentage of the
          Prefunding  Account Balance,  if any, on the last Distribution Date of
          1997,   after  giving   effect  to  all  deposits,   withdrawals   and
          distributions on such Distribution Date................$199,500,000.00

     (3)  The  Collateral  Invested  Amount  as a  percentage  of the sum of the
          Collateral  Invested  Amount  and the Senior  Invested  Amount on such
          Distribution Date...............................................21.00%

E)   Receivables Balances

     (1)  The  aggregate  amount of  Principal  Receivables  in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997...............$5,801,095,181

     (2)  The aggregate amount of Finance Charge Receivables in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997.................$119,933,174

F)   Annualized Percentages

     (1)  The  average  Gross  Yield for 1997 (sum of the  monthly  Gross  Yield
          divided by 12)..................................................22.87%

     (2)  The  average  Net Loss Rates for 1997 (sum of  monthly  Net Loss Rates
          divided by 12)...................................................8.13%

     (3)  The average Portfolio Yield for 1997 the average Gross Yield minus the
          average Net Loss Rate for 1997).................................14.74%

     (4)  The average Base Rate for 1997 (sum of monthly  Base Rates  divided by
          12).................................  ...........................7.99%

     (5)  The average Net Spread for 1997 (the average Portfolio Yield minus the
          average Base Rate for 1997)......................................6.75%

     (6)  The average  Monthly Payment Rate for 1997 (sum of the monthly Payment
          Rates divided by 12).............................................8.99%

G)   Series 1996-1 Information for the Last Three Distribution Dates in 1997

     1)   Gross Yield

          a) 12/15/97                19.18%
          b) 11/17/97                22.89%
          c) 10/15/97                24.01%

     2)   Net Loss Rate

          a) 12/15/97                 7.57%
          b) 11/17/97                 8.58%
          c) 10/15/97                 7.62%

     3)   Net Spread (Portfolio Yield Minus Base Rate)

          a) 12/15/97                 4.05%
          b) 11/17/97                 5.83%
          c) 10/15/97                 8.47%

          Three Month Average         6.12%

     4)   Monthly Payment Rate

          a) 12/15/97                 8.29%
          b) 11/17/97                 9.61%
          c) 10/15/97                 9.53%


                                      PROVIDIAN NATIONAL BANK,
                                      Servicer

                                             /s/ Daniel Sanford 
                                      By:    _________________________________
                                      Name:  Daniel Sanford
                                      Title: Vice President and Controller

     

                      ANNUAL CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' STATEMENT
                  ---------------------------------------------
                             PROVIDIAN MASTER TRUST
                                  SERIES 1997-1
                  ---------------------------------------------

     Pursuant to the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement  dated as of June 1, 1993
(as amended and supplemented,  the  "Agreement"),  as supplemented by the Series
1997-1  Supplement dated as of March 1, 1997 (as amended and  supplemented,  the
"Series Supplement"),  among Providian National Bank ("PNB"),  formerly known as
First Deposit  National  Bank,  Seller and Servicer,  and Bankers Trust Company,
Trustee,  PNB as Servicer is required to prepare certain  information  each year
regarding  current  distributions  to  Class  A   Certificateholders,   Class  B
Certificateholders and the Collateral Interest Holder and the performance of the
Providian  Master Trust (the "Trust")  during the previous year. The information
which is required to be prepared for the Series 1997-1 Certificates with respect
to the year ended December 31, 1997, and with respect to the  performance of the
Trust during 1997 is set forth below. Certain of the information is presented on
the basis of an original  principal  amount of $1,000 per Investor  Certificate.
Certain other  information is presented  based on the aggregate  amounts for the
Trust  as a  whole.  Capitalized  terms  used in  this  Certificate  have  their
respective  meanings  set  forth  in the  Agreement  or  Series  Supplement,  as
applicable.

A)   Information  Regarding the 1997  Distribution for the Series 1997-1 Class A
     Certificates  and  Class B  Certificates  (stated  on the  basis of  $1,000
     original certificate principal amount)

     (1)  The total amount distributed to Class A Certificateholders  per $1,000
          original certificate principal amount.......................$43.075498

     (2)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Class  A
          Certificateholders  with  respect  to  interest  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount................................$43.075498

     (3)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Class  A
          Certificateholders  with  respect to  principal  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount.................................$0.000000

     (4)  The total amount distributed to Class B Certificateholders  per $1,000
          original certificate principal amount.......................$44.500498

     (5)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(4)   above   distributed   to  Class  B
          Certificateholders  with  respect  to  interest  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount................................$44.500498

     (6)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(4)   above   distributed   to  Class  B
          Certificateholders  with  respect to  principal  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount.................................$0.000000

B)   Information Regarding the Performance of the Trust

     (1)  Allocation   of   Receivables   Collections   to  the  Series   1997-1
          Certificates

          (a)  The  aggregate  amount of Finance  Charge  Receivables  collected
               during 1997.......................................$989,063,102.44

          (b)  The aggregate  amount of  Interchange  collected and allocated to
               the Trust during 1997..............................$19,560,041.00

          (c)  The aggregate  amount of Principal  Receivables  collected during
               1997............................................$4,173,164,835.98

          (d)  The  Floating  Allocation  Percentage  with respect to the Series
               1997-1 Certificates for 1997...........................10.572083%

          (e)  The Principal  Allocation  Percentage  with respect to the Series
               1997-1 Certificates for 1997...........................10.567035%

          (f)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated    to    the    Series    1997-1    Certificates    for
               1997..............................................$106,632,479.56

          (g)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1997-1 Certificates for 1997......................$440,979,773.32

     (2)  Available  Finance  Charge  Collections,   Required  Draw  Amount  and
          Reallocated Principal Collections for Series 1997-1 for 1997.

          (a)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated          to         the          Series          1997-1
               Certificates......................................$106,632,479.56

          (b)  Collection   Account  and  Special  Funding  Account   investment
               earnings       allocated      to      the      Series      1997-1
               Certificates..........................................$468,965.95

          (c)  Principal Funding Account Investment Proceeds...............$0.00

          (d)  Cash Collateral Account Investment Proceeds...........$829,482.46

          (e)  Reserve Draw Amount, if applicable..........................$0.00

          (f)  Additional  Finance  Charges from other  Series  allocated to the
               Series 1997-1  Certificates.........................$3,062,547.26

          (g)  Payments,  if  any,  on  deposit  as of  the  Determination  Date
               received from any Interest Rate Protection Agreements.......$0.00

          (h)  Required Draw Amount, if applicable.........................$0.00

          (i)  Reallocated Collateral Principal Collections................$0.00

          (j)  Reallocated Class B Principal Collections...................$0.00

          (k)  Total  Available  Finance  Charge   Collections  and  Reallocated
               Principal  Collections for Series 1997-1 (total of (a), (b), (c),
               (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i) and (j) above).......$110,993,475.23

     (3)  Available Principal Collections for Series 1997-1 for 1997.

          (a)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1997-1 Certificates...............................$440,979,773.32

          (b)  Shared  Principal  Collections from other Series allocated to the
               Series 1997-1 Certificates..................................$0.00

          (c)  Additional   amounts  to  be  treated  as   Available   Principal
               Collections pursuant to the Series Supplement......$40,812,804.81

          (d)  Reallocated Collateral Principal Collections................$0.00

          (e)  Reallocated Class B Principal Collections...................$0.00

          (f)  Available Principal  Collections for Series 1997-1 (total of (a),
               (b) and (c) minus (d) and (e) above)..............$481,792,578.13

     (4)  Delinquent Balances in the Trust

          The  aggregate   outstanding   balance  of  the  Accounts  which  were
          delinquent as of the close of business on the last day of 1997.

          (a)      31-60 days                           $90,462,505
          (b)      61-90 days                            58,423,393
          (c)      91 or more days                      106,751,927
                                                        -----------
          (d)      Total Delinquencies                 $255,637,825

     (5)  Defaulted Amount

          (a)  The aggregate amount of Defaulted Receivables with respect to the
               Trust for 1997....................................$427,878,472.94

          (b)  The  aggregate  Amount of  Recoveries  of  Defaulted  Receivables
               processed during 1997..............................$42,414,048.81

          (c)  The  Defaulted  Amount  for  1997  [Defaulted  Receivables  minus
               Recoveries].......................................$385,464,424.13

          (d)  The  Defaulted  Amount for 1997  allocable  to the Series  1997-1
               Certificates       (the      "Series       1997-1       Defaulted
               Amount")...........................................$40,812,804.81

          (e)  The Class A Defaulted  Amount for 1997 [Series  1997-1  Defaulted
               Amount multiplied by the Class A Percentage].......$33,262,435.92

          (f)  The Class B Defaulted  Amount for 1997 [Series  1997-1  Defaulted
               Amount multiplied by the Class B  Percentage].......$3,877,216.45

     (6)  Class A Charge-Offs

          (a)  The excess,  if any, of the Class A Defaulted Amount over the sum
               of (i) Available Finance Charge Collections applied to such Class
               A Defaulted  Amount,  (ii) the Available Cash  Collateral  Amount
               applied  to such  Class A  Defaulted  Amount,  (iii)  Reallocated
               Principal  Collections  applied to such Class A Defaulted Amount,
               (iv) the amount by which the Collateral  Invested Amount has been
               reduced in respect of such Class A  Defaulted  Amount and (v) the
               amount by which the Class B Invested  Amount has been  reduced in
               respect of such Class A Defaulted Amount (a "Class A Charge-Off")
               for 1997 ...................................................$0.00

          (b)  The  amount  of the  Class A  Charge-Off  set  forth in item 6(a)
               above,  per $1,000 original  certificate  principal amount (which
               will have the effect of  reducing,  pro rata,  the amount of each
               Class   A   Certificateholder's    investment)   for   1997   for
               1997........................................................$0.00

          (c)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in  respect  of  Class  A  Charge-Offs  for  prior   Distribution
               Dates.......................................................$0.00
                                         
          (d)  The  amount  set forth in item 6(c)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               increasing,    pro   rata,   the   amount   of   each   Class   A
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997....................$0.00

          (e)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Class A Certificates  exceeds the Class A Invested  Amount if
               any,  as of the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after  giving
               effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (7)  Class B Charge-Offs

          (a)  The excess,  if any, of the Class B Defaulted Amount over the sum
               of (i) Available Finance Charge Collections applied to such Class
               B Defaulted  Amount,  (ii) the Available Cash  Collateral  Amount
               applied  to such  Class B  Defaulted  Amount,  (iii)  Reallocated
               Collateral   Principal   Collections  applied  to  such  Class  B
               Defaulted  Amount  and (iv) the  amount by which  the  Collateral
               Invested  Amount  has been  reduced  in  respect  of such Class B
               Defaulted Amount for 1997...................................$0.00

          (b)  The amount by which the Class B Invested  Amount has been reduced
               on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in respect of Reallocated
               Class B Principal Collections...............................$0.00

          (c)  The amount by which the Class B Invested  Amount has been reduced
               on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in  respect  of item 6(a)
               (together with item 7(a), "Class B Charge-Offs")............$0.00

          (d)  The total  amount by which the Class B  Invested  Amount has been
               reduced  on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 as set  forth in
               items 7(a), (b) and (c).....................................$0.00

          (e)  The  amount  set forth in item 7(d)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               reducing,    pro   rata,    the    amount   of   each   Class   B
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997....................$0.00

          (f)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in respect of reductions in the Class B Invested  Amount on prior
               Distribution Dates..........................................$0.00

          (g)  The  amount  set forth in item 7(f)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               increasing,    pro   rata,   the   amount   of   each   Class   B
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997....................$0.00

          (h)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Class B Certificates  exceeds the Class B Invested  Amount if
               any,  as of the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after  giving
               effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (8)  Reductions in the Collateral Interest

          (a)  The  excess,  if any,  of the  Collateral  Defaulted  Amount over
               Available Finance Charge  Collections  applied to such Collateral
               Defaulted Amount for 1997...................................$0.00

          (b)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced  on the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in  respect  of
               Reallocated Principal Collections...........................$0.00

          (c)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced on the last Distribution Date of 1997 in respect of items
               6(a) and 7(a) above.........................................$0.00

          (d)  The total amount by which the Collateral Invested Amount has been
               reduced  on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 as set  forth in
               items 8(a), (b) and (c).....................................$0.00

          (e)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in respect of reductions  in the  Collateral  Invested  Amount on
               prior Distribution Dates....................................$0.00

          (f)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Collateral  Interest exceeds the Collateral  Invested Amount,
               if any, as of the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after giving
               effect to all  deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on the
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (9)  Investor Monthly Servicing Fee

          (a)  The amount of the Series 1997-1 Monthly  Servicing Fee payable to
               the Servicer During 1997............................$8,225,000.00

     (10) Cash Collateral Account

          (a)  The Available  Cash  Collateral  Amount on the last  Distribution
               Date of 1997,  after giving effect to all  deposits,  withdrawals
               and distributions on such Distribution Date........$18,000,000.00

     (11) Class A Monthly Interest

          (a)  Class A Monthly Interest payable during 1997.......$23,620,092.29

     (12) Class B Monthly Interest

          (a)  Class B Monthly Interest payable during 1997........$2,843,813.13

     (13) Principal Funding Account Amount

          (a)  The  amount on deposit in the  Principal  Funding  Account on the
               last  Distribution  Date of  1997,  after  giving  effect  to all
               deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such  Distribution
               Date........................................................$0.00

          (b)  Deposits to the Principal Funding Account are currently scheduled
               to commence on the Distribution Date occurring in October,  2001.
               (The initial  funding date for the Principal  Funding Account may
               be modified in certain circumstances in accordance with the terms
               of the Series Supplement.)

     (14) Deficit Controlled Accumulation Amount

          The Deficit Controlled  Accumulation  Amount for the last Distribution
          Date of 1997,  after giving  effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and
          distributions on such Distribution Date..........................$0.00

     (15) Reserve Account (if applicable)

          (a)  The amount on deposit in the Reserve Account,  if funded,  on the
               last  Distribution  Date of  1997,  after  giving  effect  to all
               deposits, withdrawals and distributions on such Distribution Date
               and the related Transfer Date...............................$0.00

          (b)  The Required  Reserve  Account  Amount,  if any,  selected by the
               Servicer....................................................$0.00

C)   Class A Invested Amount

     (1)  The Class A Initial Invested Amount....................$489,000,000.00

     (2)  The Class A  Invested  Amount on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date.................................$489,000,000.00

     (3)  The  Pool  Factor  for the  last  Distribution  Date  of  1997  (which
          represents  the  ratio  of the  Class A  Invested  Amount,  as of such
          Distribution  Date, after giving effect to any adjustment in the Class
          A Invested  Amount on such  Distribution  Date, to the Class A Initial
          Invested Amount). The amount of a Class A Certificateholder's pro rata
          share of the Class A Invested  Amount can be determined by multiplying
          the  original   denomination   of  the  Class  A   Certificateholder's
          Certificate by the Pool Factor................................1.000000

D)   Class B Invested Amount

     (1)  The Class B Initial Invested Amount.....................$57,000,000.00

     (2)  The Class B  Invested  Amount on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date..................................$57,000,000.00

     (3)  The  Pool  Factor  for the  last  Distribution  Date  of  1997  (which
          represents  the  ratio  of the  Class B  Invested  Amount,  as of such
          Distribution  Date, after giving effect to any adjustment in the Class
          B Invested  Amount on such  Distribution  Date, to the Class B Initial
          Invested Amount). The amount of a Class B Certificateholder's pro rata
          share of the Class B Invested  Amount can be determined by multiplying
          the  original   denomination   of  the  Class  B   Certificateholder's
          Certificate by the Pool Factor................................1.000000

E)   Collateral Invested Amount

     (1)  The Collateral Initial Invested Amount..................$54,000,000.00

     (2)  The Collateral  Invested Amount on the last Distribution Date of 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date..................................$54,000,000.00

     (3)  The Collateral  Invested Amount as a percentage of the Invested Amount
          on such Distribution Date........................................9.00%

F)   Receivables Balances

     (1)  The  aggregate  amount of  Principal  Receivables  in the Trust at the
          close of  business on the last day of 1997..............$5,801,095,181

     (2)  The aggregate amount of Finance Charge Receivables in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997.................$119,933,174

G)   Annualized Percentages

     (1)  The  average  Gross  Yield for 1997 (sum of the  monthly  Gross  Yield
          divided by 10)..................................................22.20%

     (2)  The  average  Net Loss Rate for 1997 (sum of  monthly  Net Loss  Rates
          divided by 10)...................................................8.16%

     (3)  The average  Portfolio  Yield for 1997 (the average  Gross Yield minus
          the average Net Loss Rate for 1997).............................14.04%

     (4)  The average Base Rate for 1997 (sum of monthly  Base Rates  divided by
          10)..............................................................7.75%

     (5)  The average Net Spread for 1997 (the average Portfolio Yield minus the
          average Base Rate for 1997)..................................... 6.29%

     (6)  The average  Monthly Payment Rate for 1997 (sum of the monthly Payment
          Rates divided by 10).............................................8.96%

H)   Series 1997-1 Information for the Last Three Distribution Dates in 1997.

     1)   Gross Yield

          a)  12/15/97               19.33%
          b)  11/17/97               23.06%
          c)  10/15/97               24.19%

     2)   Net Loss Rate

          a)  12/15/97                7.57%
          b)  11/17/97                8.58%
          c)  10/15/97                7.62%

     3)   Net Spread (Portfolio Yield Minus Base Rate)

          a)  12/15/97                4.30%
          b)  11/17/97                6.11%
          c)  10/15/97                8.75%

     Three Month Average              6.39%

     4)   Monthly Payment Rate

          a)  12/15/97                8.29%
          b)  11/17/97                9.61%
          c)  10/15/97                9.53%


                                      PROVIDIAN NATIONAL BANK
                                      Servicer

                                      By:    /s/  Daniel Sanford
                                             _________________________________
                                      Name:  Daniel Sanford
                                      Title: Vice President and Controller



                      ANNUAL CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' STATEMENT
                 ---------------------------------------------
                             PROVIDIAN MASTER TRUST
                                  SERIES 1997-2
                  ---------------------------------------------

     Pursuant to the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement  dated as of June 1, 1993
(as amended and supplemented,  the  "Agreement"),  as supplemented by the Series
1997-2  Supplement dated as of March 1, 1997 (as amended and  supplemented,  the
"Series Supplement"),  among Providian National Bank ("PNB"),  formerly known as
First Deposit  National  Bank,  Seller and Servicer,  and Bankers Trust Company,
Trustee,  PNB as Servicer is required to prepare certain  information  each year
regarding  current  distributions  to  Class  A   Certificateholders,   Class  B
Certificateholders and the Collateral Interest Holder and the performance of the
Providian  Master Trust (the "Trust")  during the previous year. The information
which is required to be prepared for the Series 1997-2 Certificates with respect
to the year ended December 31, 1997, and with respect to the  performance of the
Trust during 1997 is set forth below. Certain of the information is presented on
the basis of an original  principal  amount of $1,000 per Investor  Certificate.
Certain other  information is presented  based on the aggregate  amounts for the
Trust  as a  whole.  Capitalized  terms  used in  this  Certificate  have  their
respective  meanings  set  forth  in the  Agreement  or  Series  Supplement,  as
applicable.

A)   Information  Regarding the 1997  Distribution for the Series 1997-2 Class A
     Certificates  and  Class B  Certificates  (stated  on the  basis of  $1,000
     original certificate principal amount)

     (1)  The total amount distributed to Class A Certificateholders  per $1,000
          original certificate principal amount.......................$43.225498

     (2)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Class  A
          Certificateholders  with  respect  to  interest  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount................................$43.225498

     (3)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Class  A
          Certificateholders  with  respect to  principal  per  $1,000  original
          certificate  principal amount................................$0.000000

     (4)  The total amount distributed to Class B Certificateholders  per $1,000
          original certificate principal amount.......................$44.725498

     (5)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(4)   above   distributed   to  Class  B
          Certificateholders  with  respect  to  interest  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount................................$44.725498

     (6)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(4)   above   distributed   to  Class  B
          Certificateholders  with  respect to  principal  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount.................................$0.000000

B)   Information Regarding the Performance of the Trust

     (1)  Allocation   of   Receivables   Collections   to  the  Series   1997-2
          Certificates

          (a)  The  aggregate  amount of Finance  Charge  Receivables  collected
               during  1997......................................$989,063,102.44

          (b)  The aggregate  amount of  Interchange  collected and allocated to
               the Trust for 1997.................................$19,560,041.00

          (c)  The aggregate  amount of Principal  Receivables  collected during
               1997............................................$4,173,164,835.98

          (d)  The  Floating  Allocation  Percentage  with respect to the Series
               1997-2 Certificates for 1997...........................12.334097%

          (e)  The Principal  Allocation  Percentage  with respect to the Series
               1997-2 Certificates for 1997...........................12.328207%

          (f)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated    to    the    Series    1997-2    Certificates    for
               1997..............................................$124,404,559.49

          (g)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1997-2  Certificates  for  1997...................$514,476,402.21

     (2)  Available  Finance  Charge  Collections,   Required  Draw  Amount  and
          Reallocated Principal Collections for Series 1997-2 for 1997.

          (a)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated  to the Series  1997-2  Certificates....$124,404,559.49

          (b)  Collection   Account  and  Special  Funding  Account   investment
               earnings       allocated      to      the      Series      1997-2
               Certificates..........................................$545,029.20

          (c)  Principal Funding Account Investment Proceeds...............$0.00

          (d)  Cash Collateral Account Investment Proceeds...........$967,394.00

          (e)  Reserve Draw Amount, if applicable..........................$0.00

          (f)  Additional  Finance  Charges from other  Series  allocated to the
               Series 1997-2  Certificates.........................$3,581,232.78

          (g)  Payments,  if  any,  on  deposit  as of  the  Determination  Date
               received      from     any     Interest      Rate      Protection
               Agreements..................................................$0.00

          (h)  Required Draw Amount, if applicable.........................$0.00

          (i)  Reallocated Collateral Principal Collections................$0.00

          (j)  Reallocated Class B Principal Collections...................$0.00

          (k)  Total  Available  Finance  Charge   Collections  and  Reallocated
               Principal  Collections for Series 1997-2 (total of (a), (b), (c),
               (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i) and (j) above).......$129,498,215.47

     (3)  Available Principal Collections for Series 1997-2 for 1997.

          (a)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1997-2 Certificates...............................$514,476,402.21

          (b)  Shared  Principal  Collections from other Series allocated to the
               Series 1997-2 Certificates..................................$0.00

          (c)  Additional   amounts  to  be  treated  as   Available   Principal
               Collections pursuant to the Series Supplement......$47,614,938.94

          (d)  Reallocated Collateral Principal Collections................$0.00

          (e)  Reallocated Class B Principal Collections...................$0.00

          (f)  Available Principal  Collections for Series 1997-2 (total of (a),
               (b) and (c) minus (d) and (e) above)..............$562,091,341.15

     (4)  Delinquent Balances in the Trust

          The  aggregate   outstanding   balance  of  the  Accounts  which  were
          delinquent as of the close of business on the last day of 1997.

          (a)  31-60 days                       $90,462,505
          (b)  61-90 days                        58,423,393
          (c)  91 or more days                  106,751,927
                                                -----------
          (d)  Total Delinquencies             $255,637,825

     (5)  Defaulted Amount

          (a)  The aggregate amount of Defaulted Receivables with respect to the
               Trust for 1997....................................$427,878,472.94

          (b)  The  aggregate  Amount of  Recoveries  of  Defaulted  Receivables
               processed during 1997..............................$42,414,048.81

          (c)  The  Defaulted  Amount  for  1997  [Defaulted  Receivables  minus
               Recoveries].......................................$385,464,424.13

          (d)  The  Defaulted  Amount for 1997  allocable  to the Series  1997-2
               Certificates       (the      "Series       1997-2       Defaulted
               Amount")...........................................$47,614,938.94

          (e)  The Class A Defaulted  Amount for 1997 [Series  1997-2  Defaulted
               Amount multiplied by the Class A  Percentage]......$38,806,175.24

          (f)  The Class B Defaulted  Amount for 1997 [Series  1997-2  Defaulted
               Amount multiplied by the Class B  Percentage].......$4,523,419.20

     (6)  Class A Charge-Offs

          (a)  The excess,  if any, of the Class A Defaulted Amount over the sum
               of (i) Available Finance Charge Collections applied to such Class
               A Defaulted  Amount,  (ii) the Available Cash  Collateral  Amount
               applied  to such  Class A  Defaulted  Amount,  (iii)  Reallocated
               Principal  Collections  applied to such Class A Defaulted Amount,
               (iv) the amount by which the Collateral  Invested Amount has been
               reduced in respect of such Class A  Defaulted  Amount and (v) the
               amount by which the Class B Invested  Amount has been  reduced in
               respect of such Class A Defaulted Amount (a "Class A Charge-Off")
               for 1997....................................................$0.00

          (b)  The  amount  of the  Class A  Charge-Off  set  forth in item 6(a)
               above,  per $1,000 original  certificate  principal amount (which
               will have the effect of  reducing,  pro rata,  the amount of each
               Class A Certificateholder's investment) for 1997............$0.00

          (c)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in  respect  of  Class  A  Charge-Offs  for  prior   Distribution
               Dates.......................................................$0.00

          (d)  The  amount  set forth in item 6(c)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               increasing,    pro   rata,   the   amount   of   each   Class   A
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997.................$0.00000

          (e)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Class A Certificates  exceeds the Class A Invested  Amount if
               any,  as of the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after  giving
               effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such
               Distribution  Date..........................................$0.00

     (7)  Class B Charge-Offs

          (a)  The excess, if any, of the Class B Defaulted Amount over the sum
               of (i) Available Finance Charge Collections applied to such Class
               B Defaulted Amount applied to such Class B Defaulted Amount, (ii)
               the  Available  Cash   Collateral   Amount,   (iii)   Reallocated
               Collateral   Principal   Collections  applied  to  such  Class  B
               Defaulted  Amount  and (iv) the  amount by which  the  Collateral
               Invested  Amount  has been  reduced  in  respect  of such Class B
               Defaulted Amount for 1997...................................$0.00

          (b)  The amount by which the Class B Invested  Amount has been reduced
               on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in respect of Reallocated
               Class B Principal Collections............................$0.00000

          (c)  The amount by which the Class B Invested  Amount has been reduced
               on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in  respect  of item 6(a)
               (together with item 7(a), "Class B Charge-Offs")............$0.00

          (d)  The total  amount by which the Class B  Invested  Amount has been
               reduced on the of Distribution Date of 1997 as set forth in items
               7(a), (b) and (c)........................................$0.00000

          (e)  The  amount  set forth in item 7(d)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               reducing,    pro   rata,    the    amount   of   each   Class   B
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997....................$0.00

          (f)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in respect of reductions in the Class B Invested  Amount on prior
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

          (g)  The  amount  set forth in item 7(f)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               increasing,    pro   rata,   the   amount   of   each   Class   B
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997....................$0.00

          (h)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Class B Certificates  exceeds the Class B Invested  Amount if
               any,  as of the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after  giving
               effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (8) Reductions in the Collateral Interest

          (a)  The  excess,  if any,  of the  Collateral  Defaulted  Amount over
               Available Finance Charge  Collections  applied to such Collateral
               Defaulted Amount for 1997...................................$0.00

          (b)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced  on the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in  respect  of
               Reallocated Principal Collections...........................$0.00

          (c)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced on the last Distribution Date of 1997 in respect of items
               6(a) and 7(a) above.........................................$0.00

          (d)  The total amount by which the Collateral Invested Amount has been
               reduced  on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 as set  forth in
               items 8(a), (b) and (c).....................................$0.00

          (e)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in respect of reductions  in the  Collateral  Invested  Amount on
               prior Distribution Dates....................................$0.00

          (f)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Collateral  Interest exceeds the Collateral  Invested Amount,
               if any, as of the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after giving
               effect to all  deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on the
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (9)  Investor Monthly Servicing Fee

          (a)  The amount of the Series 1997-2 Monthly  Servicing Fee payable to
               the Servicer for 1997...............................$9,595,833.33

     (10) Cash Collateral Account

          (a)  The Available  Cash  Collateral  Amount on the last  Distribution
               Date of 1997,  after giving effect to all  deposits,  withdrawals
               and distributions on such Distribution Date........$21,000,000.00
    
     (11) Class A Monthly Interest

          (a)  Class A Monthly Interest payable during 1997.......$27,652,174.62

     (12) Class B Monthly Interest

          (a)  Class B Monthly Interest payable during 1997........$3,334,462.40

     (13) Principal Funding Account Amount

          (a)  The  amount on deposit in the  Principal  Funding  Account on the
               last  Distribution  Date of  1997,  after  giving  effect  to all
               deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such  Distribution
               Date........................................................$0.00

          (b)  Deposits to the Principal Funding Account are currently scheduled
               to commence on the Distribution Date occurring in February, 2003.
               (The initial  funding date for the Principal  Funding Account may
               be modified in certain circumstances in accordance with the terms
               of the Series Supplement.)

     (14) Deficit Controlled Accumulation Amount

          The Deficit Controlled  Accumulation  Amount for the last Distribution
          Date of 1997,  after giving  effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and
          distributions on such Distribution Date..........................$0.00

     (15) Reserve Account (if applicable)

          (a)  The amount on deposit in the Reserve Account,  if funded,  on the
               last  Distribution  Date of  1997,  after  giving  effect  to all
               deposits, withdrawals and distributions on such Distribution Date
               and the related Transfer Date...............................$0.00

          (b)  The Required  Reserve  Account  Amount,  if any,  selected by the
               Servicer....................................................$0.00

(C)  Class A Invested Amount

     (1)  The Class A Initial Invested Amount....................$570,500,000.00

     (2)  The Class A  Invested  Amount on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date.................................$570,500,000.00

     (3)  The  Pool  Factor  for the  last  Distribution  Date  of  1997  (which
          represents  the  ratio  of the  Class A  Invested  Amount,  as of such
          Distribution  Date, after giving effect to any adjustment in the Class
          A Invested  Amount on such  Distribution  Date, to the Class A Initial
          Invested Amount). The amount of a Class A Certificateholder's pro rata
          share of the Class A Invested  Amount can be determined by multiplying
          the  original   denomination   of  the  Class  A   Certificateholder's
          Certificate by the Pool Factor................................1.000000

D)   Class B Invested Amount

     (1)  The Class B Initial Invested Amount.....................$66,500,000.00

     (2)  The Class B  Invested  Amount on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date..................................$66,500,000.00

     (3)  The  Pool  Factor  for the  last  Distribution  Date  of  1997  (which
          represents  the  ratio  of the  Class B  Invested  Amount,  as of such
          Distribution  Date, after giving effect to any adjustment in the Class
          B Invested  Amount on such  Distribution  Date, to the Class B Initial
          Invested Amount). The amount of a Class B Certificateholder's pro rata
          share of the Class B Invested  Amount can be determined by multiplying
          the  original   denomination   of  the  Class  B   Certificateholder's
          Certificate by the Pool Factor................................1.000000

E)   Collateral Invested Amount

     (1)  The Collateral Initial Invested Amount..................$63,000,000.00

     (2)  The Collateral  Invested Amount on the last Distribution Date of 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date..................................$63,000,000.00

     (3)  The  Collateral  Invested  Amount  as a  percentage  of the sum of the
          Invested Amount on such Distribution Date........................9.00%

F)   Receivables Balances

     (1)  The  aggregate  amount of  Principal  Receivables  in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997...............$5,801,095,181

     (2)  The aggregate amount of Finance Charge Receivables in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997.................$119,933,174

G)   Annualized Percentages

     (1)  The  average  Gross  Yield for 1997 (sum of the  monthly  Gross  Yield
          divided by 10)..................................................22.20%

     (2)  The  average  Net Loss Rate for 1997 (sum of  monthly  Net Loss  Rates
          divided by 10)...................................................8.16%

     (3)  The  average  Portfolio  Yield for 1997 (the Gross Yield minus the Net
          Loss Rate for 1997).............................................14.04%

     (4)  The average Base Rate for 1997 (sum of monthly  Base Rates  divided by
          10)..............................................................7.77%

     (5)  The average Net Spread for 1997 (the average Portfolio Yield minus the
          average Base Rate for 1997)......................................6.27%

     (6)  The average  Monthly Payment Rate for 1997 (sum of the monthly Payment
          Rates divided by 10).............................................8.96%

H)   Series 1997-2 Information for the Last Three Distribution Dates

     1)   Gross Yield

          a)   12/15/97              19.33%
          b)   11/17/97              23.06%
          c)   10/15/97              24.19%

     2)   Net Loss Rate

          a)   12/15/97               7.57%
          b)   11/17/97               8.58%
          c)   10/15/97               7.62%

     3)   Net Spread (Portfolio Yield Minus Base Rate)

          a)  12/15/97                4.28%
          b)  11/17/97                6.09%
          c)  10/15/97                8.73%

          Three Month Average         6.37%

      4)  Monthly Payment Rate

          a)  12/15/97                8.29%
          b)  11/17/97                9.61%
          c)  10/15/97                9.53%


                                      PROVIDIAN NATIONAL BANK
                                      Servicer



                                       By:   /s/ Daniel Sanford
                                             _________________________________
                                       Name: Daniel Sanford
                                      Title: Vice President and Controller



                      ANNUAL CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' STATEMENT
                  ---------------------------------------------
                             PROVIDIAN MASTER TRUST
                                  SERIES 1997-3
                 ---------------------------------------------

     Pursuant to the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement  dated as of June 1, 1993
(as amended and supplemented,  the  "Agreement"),  as supplemented by the Series
1997-3  Supplement  dated as of June 1, 1997 (as amended and  supplemented,  the
"Series Supplement"),  among Providian National Bank ("PNB"),  formerly known as
First Deposit  National  Bank,  Seller and Servicer,  and Bankers Trust Company,
Trustee,  PNB as Servicer is required to prepare certain  information  each year
regarding  current  distributions  to  Class  A   Certificateholders,   Class  B
Certificateholders and the Collateral Interest Holder and the performance of the
Providian  Master Trust (the "Trust")  during the previous year. The information
which is required to be prepared for the Series 1997-3 Certificates with respect
to the year ended December 31, 1997, and with respect to the  performance of the
Trust during 1997 is set forth below. Certain of the information is presented on
the basis of an original  principal  amount of $1,000 per Investor  Certificate.
Certain other  information is presented  based on the aggregate  amounts for the
Trust  as a  whole.  Capitalized  terms  used in  this  Certificate  have  their
respective  meanings  set  forth  in the  Agreement  or  Series  Supplement,  as
applicable.

A)   Information  Regarding the 1997  Distribution for the Series 1997-3 Class A
     Certificates  and  Class B  Certificates  (stated  on the  basis of  $1,000
     original certificate principal amount)

     (1)  The total amount distributed to Class A Certificateholders  per $1,000
          original certificate principal amount.......................$29.994457

     (2)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Class  A
          Certificateholders  with  respect  to  interest  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount................................$29.994457

     (3)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Class  A
          Certificateholders  with  respect to  principal  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount.................................$0.000000

     (4)  The total amount distributed to Class B Certificateholders  per $1,000
          original certificate principal amount.......................$31.033345

     (5)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(4)   above   distributed   to  Class  B
          Certificateholders  with  respect  to  interest  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount................................$31.033345

     (6)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(4)   above   distributed   to  Class  B
          Certificateholders  with  respect to  principal  per  $1,000  original
          certificate  principal amount................................$0.000000

B)   Information Regarding the Performance of the Trust

     (1)  Allocation   of   Receivables   Collections   to  the  Series   1997-3
          Certificates

          (a)  The  aggregate  amount of Finance  Charge  Receivables  collected
               during 1997.......................................$716,979,453.98

          (b)  The aggregate  amount of  Interchange  collected and allocated to
               the Trust for 1997.................................$14,427,065.00

          (c)  The aggregate  amount of Principal  Receivables  collected during
               1997............................................$2,979,096,315.72

          (d)  The  Floating  Allocation  Percentage  with respect to the Series
               1997-3 Certificates for 1997...........................12.154015%

          (e)  The Principal  Allocation  Percentage  with respect to the Series
               1997-3 Certificates for 1997...........................12.137710%

          (f)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated    to    the    Series    1997-3    Certificates    for
               1997...............................................$88,895,261.09

          (g)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1997-3 Certificates for 1997......................$361,594,085.51

     (2)  Available  Finance  Charge  Collections,   Required  Draw  Amount  and
          Reallocated Principal Collections for Series 1997-3 for 1997

          (a)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated to the Series 1997-3 Certificates........$88,895,261.09

          (b)  Collection   Account  and  Special  Funding  Account   investment
               earnings       allocated      to      the      Series      1997-3
               Certificates..........................................$327,100.44

          (c)  Principal Funding Account Investment Proceeds...............$0.00

          (d)  Cash Collateral Account Investment Proceeds...........$702,954.28

          (e)  Reserve Draw Amount, if applicable..........................$0.00

          (f)  Additional  Finance  Charges from other  Series  allocated to the
               Series 1997-3 Certificates..................................$0.00

          (g)  Payments,  if  any,  on  deposit  as of  the  Determination  Date
               received from any Interest Rate Protection Agreements.......$0.00

          (h)  Required Draw Amount, if applicable.........................$0.00

          (i)  Reallocated Collateral Principal Collections................$0.00

          (j)  Reallocated Class B Principal Collections...................$0.00

          (k)  Total  Available  Finance  Charge   Collections  and  Reallocated
               Principal  Collections for Series 1997-3 (total of (a), (b), (c),
               (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i) and (j) above)........$89,925,315.81

     (3)  Available Principal Collections for Series 1997-3 for 1997

          (a)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1997-3 Certificates...............................$361,594,085.51

          (b)  Shared  Principal  Collections from other Series allocated to the
               Series 1997-3 Certificates..................................$0.00

          (c)  Additional   amounts  to  be  treated  as   Available   Principal
               Collections pursuant to the Series Supplement......$32,965,775.09

          (d)  Reallocated Collateral Principal Collections................$0.00

          (e)  Reallocated Class B Principal Collections...................$0.00

          (f)  Available Principal  Collections for Series 1997-3 (total of (a),
               (b) and (c) minus (d) and (e) above)..............$394,559,860.60

     (4)  Delinquent Balances in the Trust

          The  aggregate   outstanding   balance  of  the  Accounts  which  were
          delinquent as of the close of business on the last day of 1997.

          (a)  31-60 days                       $90,462,505
          (b)  61-90 days                        58,423,393
          (c)  91 or more days                  106,751,927
                                               ------------
          (d)  Total Delinquencies             $255,637,825

     (5)  Defaulted Amount

          (a)  The aggregate amount of Defaulted Receivables with respect to the
               Trust for 1997....................................$302,073,557.42

          (b)  The  aggregate  Amount of  Recoveries  of  Defaulted  Receivables
               processed during 1997..............................$30,992,942.29

          (c)  The  Defaulted  Amount  for  1997  [Defaulted  Receivables  minus
               Recoveries].......................................$271,080,615.13

          (d)  The Defaulted Amount for 1997 allocable to the Series 1997-3 (the
               "Series 1997-3 Defaulted Amount")..................$32,965,775.09

          (e)  The Class A Defaulted  Amount for 1997 [Series  1997-3  Defaulted
               Amount multiplied by the Class A Percentage].......$26,867,106.70

          (f)  The Class B Defaulted  Amount for 1997 [Series  1997-3  Defaulted
               Amount multiplied by the Class B Percentage]........$3,131,748.63

     (6)  Class A Charge-Offs

          (a)  The excess,  if any, of the Class A Defaulted Amount over the sum
               of (i) Available Finance Charge Collections applied to such Class
               A Defaulted  Amount,  (ii) the Available Cash  Collateral  Amount
               applied  to such  Class A  Defaulted  Amount,  (iii)  Reallocated
               Principal  Collections  applied to such Class A Defaulted Amount,
               (iv) the amount by which the Collateral  Invested Amount has been
               reduced in respect of such Class A  Defaulted  Amount and (v) the
               amount by which the Class B Invested  Amount has been  reduced in
               respect   of  such   Class  A   Defaulted   Amount  (a  "Class  A
               Charge-Off")................................................$0.00

          (b)  The  amount  of the  Class A  Charge-Off  set  forth in item 6(a)
               above,  per $1,000 original  certificate  principal amount (which
               will have the effect of  reducing,  pro rata,  the amount of each
               Class A Certificateholder's investment).....................$0.00

          (c)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in  respect  of  Class  A  Charge-Offs  for  prior   Distribution
               Dates.......................................................$0.00

          (d)  The  amount  set forth in item 6(c)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               increasing,    pro   rata,   the   amount   of   each   Class   A
               Certificateholder's investment).............................$0.00

          (e)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Class A Certificates  exceeds the Class A Invested  Amount if
               any,  as of the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after  giving
               effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (7)  Class B Charge-Offs

          (a)  The excess,  if any, of the Class B Defaulted Amount over the sum
               of (i) Available Finance Charge Collections applied to such Class
               B Defaulted Amount applied to such Class B Defaulted Amount, (ii)
               the  Available  Cash   Collateral   Amount,   (iii)   Reallocated
               Collateral   Principal   Collections  applied  to  such  Class  B
               Defaulted  Amount  and (iv) the  amount by which  the  Collateral
               Invested  Amount  has been  reduced  in  respect  of such Class B
               Defaulted Amount............................................$0.00

          (b)  The amount by which the Class B Invested  Amount has been reduced
               on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in respect of Reallocated
               Class B Principal Collections...............................$0.00

          (c)  The amount by which the Class B Invested  Amount has been reduced
               on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in  respect  of item 6(a)
               (together with item 7(a), "Class B Charge-Offs")............$0.00

          (d)  The total  amount by which the Class B  Invested  Amount has been
               reduced  on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 as set  forth in
               items 7(a), (b) and (c).....................................$0.00

          (e)  The  amount  set forth in item 7(d)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               reducing,    pro   rata,    the    amount   of   each   Class   B
               Certificateholder's investment).............................$0.00

          (f)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in respect of reductions in the Class B Invested  Amount on prior
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

          (g)  The  amount  set forth in item 7(f)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               increasing,    pro   rata,   the   amount   of   each   Class   B
               Certificateholder's investment).............................$0.00

          (h)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Class B Certificates  exceeds the Class B Invested  Amount if
               any, as of the  Distribution  Date,  after  giving  effect to all
               deposits, withdrawals and distributions on such last Distribution
               Date of 1997................................................$0.00

     (8)  Reductions in the Collateral Interest

          (a)  The  excess,  if any,  of the  Collateral  Defaulted  Amount over
               Available Finance Charge  Collections  applied to such Collateral
               Defaulted Amount............................................$0.00

          (b)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced  on the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in  respect  of
               Reallocated Principal Collections...........................$0.00

          (c)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced on the last Distribution Date of 1997 in respect of items
               6(a) and 7(a) above.........................................$0.00

          (d)  The total amount by which the Collateral Invested Amount has been
               reduced  on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 as set  forth in
               items 8 (a), (b)  and (c)...................................$0.00

          (e)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in respect of reductions  in the  Collateral  Invested  Amount on
               prior Distribution Dates....................................$0.00

          (f)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Collateral  Interest exceeds the Collateral  Invested Amount,
               if any, as of the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after giving
               effect to all  deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on the
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (9)  Investor Monthly Servicing Fee

          (a)  The amount of the Series 1997-3 Monthly  Servicing Fee payable to
               the Servicer during 1997............................$6,805,555.56

     (10) Cash Collateral Account

          (a)  The Available  Cash  Collateral  Amount on the last  Distribution
               Date of 1997,  after giving effect to all  deposits,  withdrawals
               and distributions on such Distribution Date........$21,000,000.00

     (11) Class A Monthly Interest

          (a)  Class A Monthly Interest payable for 1997..........$20,103,865.35

     (12) Class B Monthly Interest

          (a)  Class B Monthly Interest payable for 1997...........$2,423,934.24

     (13) Principal Funding Account Amount

          (a)  The  amount on deposit in the  Principal  Funding  Account on the
               last  Distribution  Date of  1997,  after  giving  effect  to all
               deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such  Distribution
               Date........................................................$0.00

          (b)  Deposits to the Principal Funding Account are currently scheduled
               to commence on the  Distribution  Date  occurring  in March 2001.
               (The initial  funding date for the Principal  Funding Account may
               be modified in certain circumstances in accordance with the terms
               of the Series Supplement.)

     (14) Deficit Controlled Accumulation Amount

          The Deficit Controlled  Accumulation  Amount for the last Distribution
          Date of 1997,  after giving  effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and
          distributions on such Distribution Date..........................$0.00

     (15) Reserve Account (if applicable)

          (a)  The amount on deposit in the Reserve Account,  if funded,  on the
               last  Distribution  Date of  1997,  after  giving  effect  to all
               deposits, withdrawals and distributions on such Distribution Date
               and the related Transfer Date...............................$0.00

          (b)  The current Required Reserve Account Amount,  if any, selected by
               the Servicer................................................$0.00

C)   Class A Invested Amount

     (1)  The Class A Initial Invested Amount....................$570,500,000.00

     (2)  The Class A  Invested  Amount on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date.................................$570,500,000.00

     (3)  The  Pool  Factor  for the  last  Distribution  Date  of  1997  (which
          represents  the  ratio  of the  Class A  Invested  Amount,  as of such
          Distribution  Date, after giving effect to any adjustment in the Class
          A Invested  Amount on such  Distribution  Date, to the Class A Initial
          Invested Amount). The amount of a Class A Certificateholder's pro rata
          share of the Class A Invested  Amount can be determined by multiplying
          the  original   denomination   of  the  Class  A   Certificateholder's
          Certificate by the Pool Factor................................1.000000

D)   Class B Invested Amount

     (1)  The Class B Initial Invested Amount.....................$66,500,000.00

     (2)  The Class B  Invested  Amount on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date..................................$66,500,000.00

     (3)  The  Pool  Factor  for the  last  Distribution  Date  of  1997  (which
          represents  the  ratio  of the  Class B  Invested  Amount,  as of such
          Distribution  Date, after giving effect to any adjustment in the Class
          B Invested  Amount on such  Distribution  Date, to the Class B Initial
          Invested Amount). The amount of a Class B Certificateholder's pro rata
          share of the Class B Invested  Amount can be determined by multiplying
          the  original   denomination   of  the  Class  B   Certificateholder's
          Certificate by the Pool Factor................................1.000000

E)   Collateral Invested Amount

     (1)  The Collateral Initial Invested Amount..................$63,000,000.00

     (2)  The Collateral  Invested Amount on the last Distribution Date of 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date..................................$63,000,000.00

     (3)  The  Collateral  Invested  Amount  as a  percentage  of the sum of the
          Invested Amount on such Distribution Date........................9.00%

F)   Receivables Balances

     (1)  The  aggregate  amount of  Principal  Receivables  in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997...............$5,801,095,181

     (2)  The aggregate amount of Finance Charge Receivables in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997.................$119,933,174

G)   Annualized Percentages

     (1)  The  average  Gross  Yield for 1997 (sum of the  monthly  Gross  Yield
          divided by 7)...................................................22.02%

     (2)  The  average  Net Loss Rate for 1997 (sum of  monthly  Net Loss  Rates
          divided by 7)....................................................8.07%

     (3)  The average  Portfolio  Yield for 1997 (the average  Gross Yield minus
          the average Net Loss Rate for 1997).............................13.95%

     (4)  The average Base Rate for 1997 (sum of monthly  Base Rates  divided by
          7)...............................................................8.01%

     (5)  The average Net Spread for 1997 (the average Portfolio Yield minus the
          average Base Rate for 1997)......................................5.94%

     (6)  The average  Monthly Payment Rate for 1997 (sum of the monthly Payment
          Rates divided by 7)..............................................9.02%

H)   Series 1997-3 Information for the Last Three Distribution Dates

     1)   Gross Yield

          a)  12/15/97               19.33%
          b)  11/17/97               23.06%
          c)  10/15/97               24.19%

     2)   Net Loss Rate

          a)  12/15/97                7.57%
          b)  11/17/97                8.58%
          c)  10/15/97                7.62%

     3)   Net Spread (Portfolio Yield Minus Base Rate)

          a)  12/15/97                4.29%
          b)  11/17/97                6.10%
          c)  10/15/97                8.74%

          Three Month Average         6.38%


     4)   Monthly Payment Rate

          a)  12/15/97                8.29%
          b)  11/17/97                9.61%
          c)  10/15/97                9.53%

                                      PROVIDIAN NATIONAL BANK
                                      Servicer

                                             /s/ Daniel Sanford
                                      By:    _________________________________
                                      Name:  Daniel Sanford
                                      Title: Vice President and Controller



                      ANNUAL CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' STATEMENT
                  ---------------------------------------------
                             PROVIDIAN MASTER TRUST
                                  SERIES 1997-4
                 ---------------------------------------------

     Pursuant to the Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement  dated as of June 1, 1993
(as amended and supplemented,  the  "Agreement"),  as supplemented by the Series
1997-4 Supplement dated as of November 1, 1997 (as amended and supplemented, the
"Series Supplement"),  among Providian National Bank ("PNB"),  formerly known as
First Deposit  National  Bank,  Seller and Servicer,  and Bankers Trust Company,
Trustee,  PNB as Servicer is required to prepare certain  information  each year
regarding  current  distributions  to  Class  A   Certificateholders,   Class  B
Certificateholders and the Collateral Interest Holder and the performance of the
Providian  Master Trust (the "Trust")  during the previous year. The information
which is required to be prepared for the Series 1997-4 Certificates with respect
to the year ended December 31, 1997, and with respect to the  performance of the
Trust during 1997, is set forth below.  Certain of the information is presented
on the basis of an original principal amount of $1,000 per Investor Certificate.
Certain other  information is presented  based on the aggregate  amounts for the
Trust  as a  whole.  Capitalized  terms  used in  this  Certificate  have  their
respective  meanings  set  forth  in the  Agreement  or  Series  Supplement,  as
applicable.

A)   Information  Regarding the 1997  Distribution for the Series 1997-4 Class A
     Certificates  and  Class B  Certificates  (stated  on the  basis of  $1,000
     original certificate principal amount)

     (1)  The total amount distributed to Class A Certificateholders  per $1,000
          original certificate principal amount........................$5.381944

     (2)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Class  A
          Certificateholders  with  respect  to  interest  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount.................................$5.381944

     (3)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(1)   above   distributed   to  Class  A
          Certificateholders  with  respect to  principal  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount.................................$0.000000

     (4)  The total amount distributed to Class B Certificateholders  per $1,000
          original certificate principal amount........................$5.554167

     (5)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(4)   above   distributed   to  Class  B
          Certificateholders  with  respect  to  interest  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount.................................$5.554167

     (6)  The  amount  set  forth  in  A(4)   above   distributed   to  Class  B
          Certificateholders  with  respect to  principal  per  $1,000  original
          certificate principal amount.................................$0.000000

B)   Information Regarding the Performance of the Trust

     (1)  Allocation   of   Receivables   Collections   to  the  Series   1997-4
          Certificates

          (a)  The  aggregate  amount of Finance  Charge  Receivables  collected
               during 1997.......................................$208,037,899.99

          (b)  The aggregate  amount of  Interchange  collected and allocated to
               the Trust for 1997..................................$4,299,294.00

          (c)  The aggregate  amount of Principal  Receivables  collected during
               1997..............................................$890,956,221.39

          (d)  The  Floating  Allocation  Percentage  with respect to the Series
               1997-4 Certificates for 1997...........................10.120150%

          (e)  The Principal  Allocation  Percentage  with respect to the Series
               1997-4 Certificates for 1997...........................10.074249%

          (f)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated    to    the    Series    1997-4    Certificates    for
               1997...............................................$21,488,842.31

          (g)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1997-4 Certificates for 1997.......................$89,757,151.29

     (2)  Available  Finance  Charge  Collections,   Required  Draw  Amount  and
          Reallocated Principal Collections for Series 1997-4 for 1997.

          (a)  The Finance  Charge  Receivables  and  Interchange  collected and
               allocated to the Series 1997-4  Certificates.......$21,488,842.31

          (b)  Collection   Account  and  Special  Funding  Account   investment
               earnings allocated to the Series 1997-4 Certificates...$86,144.45

          (c)  Principal Funding Account Investment Proceeds...............$0.00

          (d)  Cash Collateral Account Investment Proceeds...........$143,620.62

          (e)  Reserve Draw Amount, if applicable..........................$0.00

          (f)  Additional  Finance  Charges from other  Series  allocated to the
               Series 1997-4 Certificates..........................$6,865,859.56

          (g)  Payments,  if  any,  on  deposit  as of  the  Determination  Date
               received from any Interest Rate Protection Agreements.......$0.00

          (h)  Required Draw Amount, if applicable.........................$0.00

          (i)  Reallocated Collateral Principal Collections................$0.00

          (j)  Reallocated Class B Principal Collections...................$0.00

          (k)  Total  Available  Finance  Charge   Collections  and  Reallocated
               Principal  Collections for Series 1997-4 (total of (a), (b), (c),
               (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i) and (j)  above).......$28,584,466.94

     (3)  Available Principal Collections for Series 1997-4 for 1997.

          (a)  The Principal  Receivables  collected and allocated to the Series
               1997-4 Certificates................................$89,757,151.29

          (b)  Shared  Principal  Collections from other Series allocated to the
               Series 1997-4 Certificates..................................$0.00

          (c)  Additional   amounts  to  be  treated  as   Available   Principal
               Collections pursuant to the Series Supplement.......$7,988,221.80

          (d)  Reallocated Collateral Principal Collections................$0.00

          (e)  Reallocated Class B Principal Collections...................$0.00

          (f)  Available Principal  Collections for Series 1997-4 (total of (a),
               (b) and (c) minus (d) and (e) above................$97,745,373.09

     (4)  Delinquent Balances in the Trust

          The  aggregate   outstanding   balance  of  the  Accounts  which  were
          delinquent as of the close of business on the last day of 1997.

          (a)  31-60 days                        $90,462,505
          (b)  61-90 days                         58,423,393
          (c)  91 or more days                   106,751,927
                                                ------------
          (d)  Total Delinquencies              $255,637,825

     (5)  Defaulted Amount

          (a)  The aggregate amount of Defaulted Receivables with respect to the
               Trust for 1997.....................................$87,628,836.63

          (b)  The  aggregate  Amount of  Recoveries  of  Defaulted  Receivables
               processed during 1997...............................$8,655,244.85

          (c)  The  Defaulted  Amount  for  1997  [Defaulted  Receivables  minus
               Recoveries]........................................$78,973,591.78

          (d)  The  Defaulted  Amount for 1997  allocable  to the Series  1997-4
               Certificates       (the      "Series       1997-4       Defaulted
               Amount")............................................$7,988,221.80

          (e)  The Class A Defaulted  Amount  (Series  1997-4  Defaulted  Amount
               multiplied by the Class A Percentage)...............$6,670,165.20

          (f)  The Class B Defaulted  Amount  (Series  1997-4  Defaulted  Amount
               multiplied by the Class B Percentage).................$639,057.74

     (6)  Class A Charge-Offs

          (a)  The excess,  if any, of the Class A Defaulted Amount over the sum
               of (i) Available Finance Charge Collections applied to such Class
               A Defaulted  Amount,  (ii) the Available Cash  Collateral  Amount
               applied  to such  Class A  Defaulted  Amount,  (iii)  Reallocated
               Principal  Collections  applied to such Class A Defaulted Amount,
               (iv) the amount by which the Collateral  Invested Amount has been
               reduced in respect of such Class A  Defaulted  Amount and (v) the
               amount by which the Class B Invested  Amount has been  reduced in
               respect of such Class A Defaulted Amount (a "Class A Charge-Off")
               for 1997....................................................$0.00

          (b)  The  amount  of the  Class A  Charge-Off  set  forth in item 6(a)
               above,  per $1,000 original  certificate  principal amount (which
               will have the effect of  reducing,  pro rata,  the amount of each
               Class A Certificateholder's investment) for 1997............$0.00

          (c)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in  respect  of  Class  A  Charge-Offs  for  prior   Distribution
               Dates.......................................................$0.00

          (d)  The  amount  set forth in item 6(c)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               increasing,    pro   rata,   the   amount   of   each   Class   A
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997....................$0.00

          (e)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Class A Certificates  exceeds the Class A Invested  Amount if
               any,  as of the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after  giving
               effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (7)  Class B Charge-Offs

          (a)  The excess,  if any, of the Class B Defaulted Amount over the sum
               of (i) Available Finance Charge Collections applied to such Class
               B Defaulted Amount applied to such Class B Defaulted Amount, (ii)
               the  Available  Cash   Collateral   Amount,   (iii)   Reallocated
               Collateral   Principal   Collections  applied  to  such  Class  B
               Defaulted  Amount  and (iv) the  amount by which  the  Collateral
               Invested  Amount  has been  reduced  in  respect  of such Class B
               Defaulted Amount for 1997...................................$0.00

          (b)  The amount by which the Class B Invested  Amount has been reduced
               on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in respect of Reallocated
               Class B Principal Collections...............................$0.00

          (c)  The amount by which the Class B Invested  Amount has been reduced
               on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in  respect  of item 6(a)
               (together with item 7(a), "Class B Charge-Offs")............$0.00

          (d)  The total  amount by which the Class B  Invested  Amount has been
               reduced  on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 as set  forth in
               items 7(a), (b)  and (c)....................................$0.00

          (e)  The  amount  set forth in item 7(d)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               reducing,    pro   rata,    the    amount   of   each   Class   B
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997....................$0.00

          (f)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in respect of reductions in the Class B Invested  Amount on prior
               Distribution Dates..........................................$0.00

          (g)  The  amount  set forth in item 7(f)  above  per  $1,000  original
               certificate  principal  amount  (which  will  have the  effect of
               increasing,    pro   rata,   the   amount   of   each   Class   B
               Certificateholder's investment) for 1997....................$0.00

          (h)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Class B Certificates  exceeds the Class B Invested  Amount if
               any,  as of the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after  giving
               effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (8)  Reductions in the Collateral Interest

          (a)  The  excess,  if any,  of the  Collateral  Defaulted  Amount over
               Available Finance Charge  Collections  applied to such Collateral
               Defaulted Amount for 1997...................................$0.00

          (b)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced  on the  last  Distribution  Date of 1997 in  respect  of
               Reallocated Principal Collections...........................$0.00

          (c)  The  amount  by which the  Collateral  Invested  Amount  has been
               reduced on the last Distribution Date of 1997 in respect of items
               6(a) and 7(a) above.........................................$0.00

          (d)  The total amount by which the Collateral Invested Amount has been
               reduced  on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997 as set  forth in
               items 8(a), (b) and (c).....................................$0.00

          (e)  The total amount reimbursed on the last Distribution Date of 1997
               in respect of reductions  in the  Collateral  Invested  Amount on
               prior Distribution Dates....................................$0.00

          (f)  The amount, if any, by which the outstanding principal balance of
               the Collateral  Interest exceeds the Collateral  Invested Amount,
               if any, as of the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,  after giving
               effect to all  deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on the
               Distribution Date...........................................$0.00

     (9)  Investor Monthly Servicing Fee

          (a)  The amount of the Series 1997-4 Monthly  Servicing Fee payable to
               the Servicer for 1997...............................$1,370,833.33

     (10) Cash Collateral Account

          (a)  The Available  Cash  Collateral  Amount on the last  Distribution
               Date of 1997,  after giving effect to all  deposits,  withdrawals
               and distributions on such Distribution Date........$15,000,000.00

     (11) Class A Monthly Interest

          (a)  Class A Monthly Interest payable for 1997...........$5,305,729.17

     (12) Class B Monthly Interest

          (a)  Class B Monthly Interest payable for 1997.............$524,600.00

     (13) Principal Funding Account Amount

          (a)  The  amount on deposit in the  Principal  Funding  Account on the
               last  Distribution  Date of  1997,  after  giving  effect  to all
               deposits,  withdrawals  and  distributions  on such  Distribution
               Date........................................................$0.00

          (b)  Deposits to the Principal Funding Account are currently scheduled
               to commence on the  Distribution  Date occurring in March,  2002.
               (The initial  funding date for the Principal  Funding Account may
               be modified in certain circumstances in accordance with the terms
               of the Series Supplement.)

     (14) Deficit Controlled Accumulation Amount

          The Deficit Controlled  Accumulation  Amount for the last Distribution
          Date of 1997,  after giving  effect to all deposits,  withdrawals  and
          distributions on such Distribution Date..........................$0.00

     (15) Reserve Account (if applicable)

          (a)  The amount on deposit in the Reserve Account,  if funded,  on the
               last  Distribution  Date of  1997,  after  giving  effect  to all
               deposits, withdrawals and distributions on such Distribution Date
               and the related Transfer Date...............................$0.00

          (b)  The Required  Reserve  Account  Amount,  if any,  selected by the
               Servicer....................................................$0.00

C)   Class A Invested Amount

     (1)  The Class A Initial Invested Amount....................$501,000,000.00

     (2)  The Class A  Invested  Amount on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date.................................$501,000,000.00

     (3)  The  Pool  Factor  for the  last  Distribution  Date  of  1997  (which
          represents  the  ratio  of the  Class A  Invested  Amount,  as of such
          Distribution  Date, after giving effect to any adjustment in the Class
          A Invested  Amount on such  Distribution  Date, to the Class A Initial
          Invested Amount). The amount of a Class A Certificateholder's pro rata
          share of the Class A Invested  Amount can be determined by multiplying
          the  original   denomination   of  the  Class  A   Certificateholder's
          Certificate by the Pool Factor................................1.000000

D)   Class B Invested Amount

     (1)  The Class B Initial Invested Amount.....................$48,000,000.00

     (2)  The Class B  Invested  Amount on the last  Distribution  Date of 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date..................................$48,000,000.00

     (3)  The  Pool  Factor  for the  last  Distribution  Date  of  1997  (which
          represents  the  ratio  of the  Class B  Invested  Amount,  as of such
          Distribution  Date, after giving effect to any adjustment in the Class
          B Invested  Amount on such  Distribution  Date, to the Class B Initial
          Invested Amount). The amount of a Class B Certificateholder's pro rata
          share of the Class B Invested  Amount can be determined by multiplying
          the  original   denomination   of  the  Class  B   Certificateholder's
          Certificate by the Pool Factor................................1.000000

E)   Collateral Invested Amount

     (1)  The Collateral Initial Invested Amount..................$51,000,000.00

     (2)  The Collateral  Invested Amount on the last Distribution Date of 1997,
          after giving effect to all deposits,  withdrawals and distributions on
          such Distribution Date..................................$51,000,000.00

     (3)  The  Collateral  Invested  Amount  as a  percentage  of the sum of the
          Invested Amount on such Distribution Date........................8.50%

F)   Receivables Balances

     (1)  The  aggregate  amount of  Principal  Receivables  in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997...............$5,801,095,181

     (2)  The aggregate amount of Finance Charge Receivables in the Trust at the
          close of business on the last day of 1997.................$119,933,174

G)   Annualized Percentages

     (1)  The average  Gross Yield for 1997 (sum of monthly  Gross Yield divided
          by 2)...........................................................28.59%

     (2)  The  average  Net Loss Rate for 1997 (sum of  monthly  Net Loss  Rates
          divided by 2)....................................................7.99%

     (3)  The average  Portfolio  Yield for 1997 (the average  Gross Yield minus
          the average Net Loss Rate for 1997).............................20.60%

     (4)  The average Base Rate for 1997 (sum of monthly  Base Rates  divided by
          2)...............................................................8.40%

     (5)  The average Net Spread (the average  Portfolio Yield minus the average
          Base Rate for 1997).............................................12.20%

     (6)  The  average  Monthly  Payment  Rate for 1997 (sum of monthly  Payment
          Rates divided by 2)..............................................9.11%

H)   Series 1997-4 Information for the Last Three Distribution Dates

     1)   Gross Yield

          a)  12/15/97               33.04%
          b)  11/17/97               N/A
          c)  10/15/97               N/A

     2)   Net Loss Rate

          a)  12/15/97                7.57%
          b)  11/17/97                N/A
          c)  10/15/97                N/A

     3)   Net Spread (Portfolio Yield Minus Base Rate)

          a)  12/15/97               16.99%
          b)  11/17/97               N/A
          c)  10/15/97               N/A

          Three Month Average        N/A

     4)   Monthly Payment Rate

          a)  12/15/97                8.29%
          b)  11/17/97                N/A
          c)  10/15/97                N/A

                                      PROVIDIAN NATIONAL BANK
                                      Servicer


                                       By:    /s/ Daniel Sanford
                                              _________________________________
                                       Name:  Daniel Sanford
                                       Title: Vice President and Controller


                        Independent Accountant's Report on Applying
                             Agreed-Upon Procedures

Board of Directors
Providian National Bank
and
Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee

                             Providian Master Trust

     Per  your  request,  we  have  performed  certain  agreed-upon   procedures
enumerated below pursuant to Article III,  sections 3.06(a) and 3.06(b),  of the
Pooling and Servicing  Agreement (as amended the "Agreement")  between Providian
National  Bank  (formerly  First Deposit  National  Bank and Providian  National
Bank), as Seller and Servicer, and Bankers Trust Company as Trustee on behalf of
the certificateholders of Providian Master Trust (the "Trust"), dated as of June
1, 1993, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of May 1, 1994,  Amendment No. 2
dated as of June 1, 1995 and Amendment  No. 3 dated as of March 1, 1997,  and as
supplemented by the Series 1993-2 Supplement thereto,  dated as of June 1, 1993;
as  supplemented  by the Second  Amended and Restated  Series 1993-3  Supplement
thereto,  dated as of December 1, 1995; as supplemented by the Series 1995-1 and
1995-2  Supplements  thereto,  dated as of June 1, 1995; as  supplemented by the
Series 1996-1 Supplement  thereto,  dated as of June 1, 1996; as supplemented by
the Series 1997-1 and the Series 1997-2 Supplements  thereto,  dated as of March
1, 1997; as supplemented by the Series 1997-3  Supplement  thereto,  dated as of
June 1, 1997 and as supplemented by Series 1997-4 Supplement  thereto,  dated as
of  November  1, 1997.  This  engagement  to apply  agreed-upon  procedures  was
performed in accordance with standards  established by the American Institute of
Certified  Public  Accountants.  The sufficiency of the procedures is solely the
responsibility of Providian National Bank and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee.
Consequently,  we  make  no  representation  regarding  the  sufficiency  of the
procedures described below either for the purpose for which this report has been
requested or for any other purpose.

1.   We  inquired  of  Servicer  management  as to whether  separate  Collection
     Accounts were  maintained by the Trustee during 1997 in accordance with the
     terms of the Agreement.  We were informed that separate collection accounts
     were  maintained by the Trustee during 1997 (Article IV section 4.02 of the
     Agreement).

2.   We selected a sample of six business days ("Selected Days") from the period
     October 1, 1996 to  September  30, 1997 (April 8, April 10, April 14, April
     16, June 6 and June 12) and performed  the following  (Article III sections
     3.01 and 3.04 and Article IV sections 4.02 and 4.03 of the Agreement):

     a)   We obtained the  corresponding  day's Transfer of Funds Notice ("TFN")
          as prepared by Providian National Bank.

     b)   We  compared  the  wire  amount  as  set  forth  in  the  TFN  to  the
          corresponding  amount in the caption  "Investor Finance Charge and Fee
          Collections"  contained in the Collection Data Report,  as prepared by
          the Servicer. No exceptions were noted.

     c)   We compared  the total  finance  charge  collections,  gross fee,  and
          principal  collections for the Selected Days to the Agent Bank Summary
          Report  ("ABS"),  which is prepared by the Providian  National  Bank's
          third party bank card processor, Total System Services, Inc. ("TSYS").
          No exceptions were noted.

     d)   We  compared  the  collection  date  for  the  days  selected  per the
          Collection Data Report to the  corresponding TFN to determine that the
          wire  transfers  occurred no later than three  business days after the
          collection date. No exceptions were noted.

     e)   For the Selected Days, we recalculated all  mathematical  calculations
          contained in the Collection Data Report. No exceptions were noted.

3.   We obtained Monthly Servicer's  Certificates and the Monthly Statements for
     all Series issued for all months from October 1996 through  September 1997.
     We noted that the Certificates  were signed by an authorized  officer,  and
     that management asserted that no Pay Out Event had occurred.

4.   For the months of October 1996 through  September  1997 for Series  1993-2,
     1993-3,  1995-1,  1995-2,  and  1996-1;  for the  months  of March  through
     September  1997 for Series  1997-1 and  1997-2;  and for the months of June
     through  September 1997 for Series 1997-3, we obtained  Providian  National
     Bank-prepared  Monthly  Statements and performed the following (Article III
     section 3.04 and Article IV sections 4.03 and 4.04 of the Agreement):

     a)   For the month of July for Series 1993-2, 1993-3, 1995-1, 1995-2, 1996-
          1,  1997-1,  1997-2,  and  1997-3  and the month of March  for  Series
          1993-3,  we recalculated all mathematical  calculations in the monthly
          Statements,  and compared the related Trust activity  amounts reported
          in the monthly statements to the amounts reported in the corresponding
          month's reports generated from TSYS. No exceptions were noted.

     b)   For the  remaining  months,  we compared  the related  Trust  activity
          amounts to the Dual Seller  Allocation  model output  (prepared by the
          Servicer). No exceptions were noted.

     c)   We  recomputed  the  mathematical   calculation  that  determines  the
          investor and seller portions  (Article III section 3.04 and Article IV
          sections 4.03 and 4.04 of the Agreement). No exceptions were noted.

5.   We obtained direct  confirmation  of the Servicer's  fidelity bond coverage
     insuring  against losses through  wrongdoing of its officers and associates
     who are involved in the servicing of  receivables.  The insurer stated that
     the coverage is currently maintained and was in force throughout 1997.

6.   We  inquired of  Servicer  personnel  responsible  for  investments  in the
     Collection  Accounts.  The Servicer  personnel informed us that deposits in
     the  Collection  Accounts  were invested in Eligible  Investments  only, as
     defined  in Article I of the  Agreement  (Article  IV  section  4.02 of the
     Agreement).

7.   The  Servicer  provided  us with  written  representations  that no Pay Out
     Event, as the term is defined in the Agreement,  occurred during the twelve
     months ended September 30, 1997 for any series during its revolving  period
     (Article IX Section 9.01).

8.   We obtained written  representation  from management of Providian  National
     Bank that,  to the best of their  knowledge,  Providian  National  Bank has
     recorded all material transactions properly relating to the Agreement,  and
     Providian  National  Bank has  complied  with all  material  aspects of the
     Agreement. (Articles III and IV and section 8.08 of the Agreement).

9.   We obtained  copies of the Annual  Servicer's  Certificate and compared the
     form of the Annual  Servicer's  Certificates  to Exhibit D of the Agreement
     (Article III section 3.05 of the Agreement). No exceptions were noted.

We were not engaged to, and did not,  perform an  examination,  the objective of
which would be the expression of an opinion on the monthly certificates for each
series included in the Trust,  prepared by the Servicer pursuant to Article III,
sections 3.06(a) and 3.06(b), of the Agreement or on the reports prepared by the
Servicer.  Accordingly,  we do not  express  such an opinion.  Had we  performed
additional procedures with respect to both the monthly certificates prepared by
the  Servicer  pursuant  to Article  III,  sections  3.06(a)  and 3.06(b) of the
Agreement  and the reports  prepared by the  Servicer,  which were the source of
such amounts,  other  matters  might have come to our attention  that would have
been reported to you.

This report is intended solely for the use and information of Providian National
Bank and the  Trustee and should not be used by those who have not agreed to the
procedures and taken  responsibility  for the  sufficiency of the procedures for
their purposes.

                                                       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

March 25, 1998

                                    
                         Independent Accountant's Report


Board of Directors
Providian National Bank

     We have  examined  management's  assertion,  included  in the  accompanying
Report of Management on Master Trust Internal Controls and Pooling and Servicing
Agreement  Compliance  ("Report"),  that Providian National Bank (formerly First
Deposit  National Bank and  Providian  National  Bank),  as Seller and Servicer,
maintained  internal  controls over the  functions  performed as servicer of the
Providian Master Trust ("Trust") that are effective, as of December 31, 1997, in
providing  reasonable  assurance that Trust assets are safeguarded  against loss
from  unauthorized  use or  disposition  and that  transactions  are executed in
accordance with  management's  authorization  in conformity with the Pooling and
Servicing Agreement (as amended, the "Agreement"),  dated as of June 1, 1993, as
amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of May 1, 1994,  Amendment No. 2 dated as of
June 1, 1995 and Amendment No. 3 dated as of March 1, 1997, and as  supplemented
by  the  Series  1993-2  Supplement  thereto,  dated  as of  June  1,  1993;  as
supplemented  by the  Second  Amended  and  Restated  Series  1993-3  Supplement
thereto,  dated as of December 1, 1995; as supplemented by the Series 1995-1 and
1995-2  Supplements  thereto,  dated as of June 1, 1995; as  supplemented by the
Series 1996-1 Supplement  thereto,  dated as of June 1, 1996; as supplemented by
the Series 1997-1 and the Series 1997-2 Supplements  thereto,  dated as of March
1, 1997; as supplemented by the Series 1997-3  Supplement  thereto,  dated as of
June 1, 1997 and as supplemented by the Series 1997-4 Supplement thereto,  dated
as of  November  1, 1997  between  Providian  National  Bank and  Bankers  Trust
Company, as Trustee,  and are recorded properly to permit the preparation of the
required  financial  reports.  As  discussed  in  that  report,   management  is
responsible for Providian National Bank's internal controls over compliance with
those requirements during the period ended December 31, 1997. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on  management's  assertion  about  Providian  National
Bank's internal controls over compliance based on our examination.

Our  examination  was  made in  accordance  with  standards  established  by the
American  Institute of Certified Public Accountants and,  accordingly,  included
obtaining an  understanding  of the  controls  over the  functions  performed by
Providian  National Bank as servicer of the Trust,  testing,  and evaluating the
design and operating effectiveness of the controls, and such other procedures as
we considered  necessary in the  circumstances.  We believe that our examination
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.  Our examination does not provide a
legal   determination  on  Providian   National  Bank's  internal  control  over
compliance with specified requirements.

Because  of  inherent   limitations   in  any  internal   controls,   errors  or
irregularities  may  occur  and  not  be  detected.  Also,  projections  of  any
evaluation of the internal  controls  over the functions  performed by Providian
National Bank as servicer of the Trust to future periods are subject to the risk
that the controls may become  inadequate  because of changes in  conditions,  or
that the degree of compliance with the controls may deteriorate.

In our opinion,  management's  assertion that Providian National Bank maintained
controls  over  the  functions  performed  as  servicer  of the  Trust  that are
effective, as of December 31, 1997, in providing reasonable assurance that Trust
assets are  safeguarded  against loss from  unauthorized  use or disposition and
that transactions are executed in accordance with management's  authorization in
conformity with the Agreement and the  Supplements to the Agreement  referred to
above,  between  Providian  National Bank and Bankers'  Trust  Company,  and are
recorded properly to permit the preparation of the required  financial  reports,
is fairly stated, in all material  respects,  based upon the following  criteria
specified in the Report:

 --  Controls   provide   reasonable   assurance   that  funds   collected   are
     appropriately  remitted to the Trustee in accordance with the Agreement and
     the Supplements to the Agreement.

 --  Controls provide reasonable assurance that Trust assets are segregated from
     those assets  retained by Providian  National Bank in  accordance  with the
     Agreement and the Supplements to the Agreement.

 --  Controls provide  reasonable  assurance that expenses incurred by the Trust
     are properly  calculated and remitted in accordance  with the Agreement and
     the Supplements to the Agreement.

 --  Controls provide reasonable  assurance that the addition of accounts to the
     Trust are authorized in accordance  with the Agreement and the  Supplements
     to the Agreement.

 --  Controls provide reasonable assurance that the removal of accounts from the
     Trust are authorized in accordance  with the Agreement and the  Supplements
     to the Agreement.

 --  Controls provide  reasonable  assurance that Trust assets amortizing out of
     the  Trust  are  calculated  in  accordance  with  the  Agreement  and  the
     Supplements to the Agreement.

 --  Controls provide reasonable assurance that Monthly Servicer's  Certificates
     generated  in the  form of  "Exhibits"  and  provided  to the  Trustee  are
     reviewed by management prior to disbursing.

 --  Controls provide reasonable assurance that Monthly Servicer's  Certificates
     generated in the form of  "Exhibits"  contain  information  required by the
     Agreement and the Supplements to the Agreement.

This report is intended solely for your information.  However,  this report is a
matter of  public  record as a result of being  included  as an  exhibit  to the
report on Form 10-K  prepared  by  Providian  National  Bank and filed  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission on behalf of the Providian  Master Trust and
its distribution is not limited.

                                                       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

March 25, 1998

                         Independent Accountant's Report


Providian National Bank
     and
Bankers Trust Company

We have examined management's assertion,  included in the accompanying Report of
Management on Master Trust Internal Controls and Pooling and Servicing Agreement
Compliance (the  "Report"),  about  Providian  National  Bank's  (formerly First
Deposit National Bank and Providian  National Bank) compliance with the relevant
terms and  conditions  of Articles III and IV, and Sections 8.08 and 9.01 of the
Pooling and  Servicing  Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1993 as amended,  between
Providian National Bank and Bankers Trust Company (the "Agreement") and Articles
IV and V of the Supplements to the Agreement  relating to Series 1993-2,  Series
1993-3,  Series 1995-1,  Series 1995-2,  Series  1996-1,  Series 1997-1,  Series
1997-2, Series 1997-3 and Series 1997-4 as of December 31, 1997 and for the year
then ended.  Management is responsible for Providian  National Bank's compliance
with  those  requirements.  Our  responsibility  is to  express  an  opinion  on
management's  assertion about Providian  National Bank's compliance based on our
examination.

Our  examination  was  made in  accordance  with  standards  established  by the
American  Institute of Certified Public Accountants and,  accordingly,  included
examining,  on a test basis, evidence about Providian National Bank's compliance
with those  requirements  and performing such other  procedures as we considered
necessary  in the  circumstances.  We believe  that our  examination  provides a
reasonable  basis for our  opinion.  Our  examination  does not  provide a legal
determination   of  Providian   National   Bank's   compliance   with  specified
requirements.

In our opinion,  management's  assertion  that  Providian  National  Bank was in
compliance,  in all  material  respects,  with the terms and  conditions  of the
sections of the Agreement and the provisions of each Supplement to the Agreement
referred  to above,  as of December  31,  1997 and for the year then  ended,  is
fairly stated, in all material respects.

This report is intended solely for your information.  However,  this report is a
matter of  public  record as a result of being  included  as an  exhibit  to the
annual  report on Form 10-K  prepared by Providian  National Bank and filed with
the Securities and Exchange  Commission on behalf of the Providian  Master Trust
and its distribution is not limited.



March 25, 1998                               /s/ Ernst & Young



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission