CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA
8-K, 1998-06-12
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
Previous: HOLLINGER INTERNATIONAL INC, SC 13D/A, 1998-06-12
Next: MERIDIAN RESOURCE CORP, DEFS14A, 1998-06-12




<PAGE>


                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    Form 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 11, 1998
                                                           -------------


                 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                 ----------------------------------------------
               (Exact Name of registrant specified in its charter)


United States            333-36939                           22-2382028
- -------------            ---------                           ----------
(State or other         (Commission File Number)             (I.R.S. employer 
Jurisdiction of                                              Identification No.)
Incorporation)

                               802 Delaware Avenue
                           Wilmington, Delaware 19801
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                    ----------------------------------------
                  Registrant's telephone number: (302) 575-5033


<PAGE>

                                                                             

Item 5.  Other Events
         ------------
 
         On June 11, 1998, the opinion of counsel to Chase Manhattan Auto Owner
Trust 1998-C (the "Trust") regarding the tax status of the Trust, dated as of
June 11, 1998 (the "Opinion"), was delivered by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett to
Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association.


Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Statements and Exhibits
         -----------------------------------------------------------------

         Exhibits

         8.4     Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett with respect to the tax
                 status of the Trust, dated as of June 11, 1998.

         23.5    Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (included as part of 
                 Exhibit 8.4)


<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

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


                                  CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, 
                                  ------------------------- 
                                  NATIONAL ASSOCIATION            (Registrant)
                                  --------------------


                                  By:     /s/ Patricia Garvey
                                      ---------------------------------------
                                  Name:   Patricia Garvey
                                  Title:  Vice President


Date:  June 11, 1998


<PAGE>


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


                                                                Sequentially
Exhibit Number       Exhibit                                    Numbered Pages
- --------------       -------                                    --------------
8.4                  Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
                     with respect to the tax status of the
                     Trust, dated as of June 11, 1998.

23.5                 Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
                     (included as part of Exhibit 8.4)




<PAGE>


                                                                    Exhibit 8.4
                                                                    -----------


                                                June 11, 1998



Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association
802 Delaware Avenue
Wilmington, Delaware 19801

The Chase Manhattan Bank
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017


           Re:      The Issuance and Sale of $258,000,000.00 
    of Class A-1 5.588% Asset Backed Notes, $195,000,000.00
    of Class A-2 5.747% Asset Backed Notes, $325,000,000.00
    of Class A-3 5.800% Asset Backed Notes, $283,900,000.00
                    of Class A-4 5.850% Asset Backed Notes, and $32,889,211.45
    of 6.000% Asset Backed Certificates by
                    Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1998-C
                    -----------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We have acted as tax counsel ("Federal Tax Counsel") for Chase
Manhattan Bank USA, National Association, a national banking association
organized under the laws of the United States (the "Seller"), in connection with
the issuance and sale of (i) $258,000,000.00 of Class A-1 5.588% Asset Backed
Notes, (ii) $195,000,000.00 of Class A-2 5.747% Asset Backed Notes, (iii)
$325,000,000.00 of Class A-3 5.800% Asset Backed Notes, (iv) $283,900,000.00 of
Class A-4 5.850% Asset Backed Notes (collectively, the "Notes") and (v) $
32,889,211.45 of 6.000% Asset Backed Certificates (the "Certificates" and,
together with the Notes, the "Securities"), by Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust
1998-C, a statutory business trust organized under the Business Trust Act of the
State of Delaware (the "Trust"), pursuant to: (a) with respect to the Notes, the
Indenture, dated as of June 1, 1998 (the "Indenture"), between the Trust and
Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as trustee (the "Indenture
Trustee"); and (b) with respect to the Certificates, the Amended and Restated
Trust Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1998 (the "Trust Agreement"), between the
Seller and Wilmington Trust Company, as owner trustee (the "Owner Trustee"). The
Securities will

<PAGE>


                                      -2-                        June 11, 1998


be offered for sale to investors pursuant to the Prospectus Supplement dated
June 11, 1998 (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Prospectus dated February 6,
1998 (the "Prospectus").

                  All capitalized terms used in this opinion letter and not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the
Prospectus Supplement.

                  In delivering this opinion, we have reviewed: (i) the
Prospectus, (ii) the Prospectus Supplement, (iii) the Indenture, (iv) the Trust
Agreement, (v) the Sale and Servicing Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1998 (the
"Sale and Servicing Agreement"), between the Seller and the Trust and (vi) forms
of the Securities. We also have examined such other documents, papers, statutes
and authorities as we have deemed necessary to form the basis for the opinions
expressed herein.

                  In our examination of such material, we have assumed the
genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us
as originals and the conformity to original documents of copies of documents
submitted to us. As to certain matters of fact relevant to the opinions
hereinafter expressed, we have relied upon the representations and warranties
set forth in the Indenture, the Trust Agreement and the Sale and Servicing
Agreement.

                  On the basis of the foregoing and assuming, with your
permission, that (i) the Trust is formed and maintained in accordance with the
discussion set forth in the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement and is
operated in compliance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, (ii) the terms of
the Indenture, the Trust Agreement and the Sale and Servicing Agreement are not
amended, and (iii) the aggregate amount of the Late Fees received or accrued
each year by the Trust on, or with respect to, the Receivables will be equal to,
or less than, five percent (5%) of the aggregate amount of the Late Fees and
interest or other income accrued or received by the Trust on, or with respect
to, the Receivables each such year, we (a) hereby confirm our opinions (the
"Prospectus Opinions") set forth in the Prospectus Supplement under the caption
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" and (b) that, subject to the
qualifications set forth therein, the statements set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement under the caption "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences," insofar
as such statements purport to constitute summaries of United States federal tax
law and regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute
accurate summaries of the matters discussed therein in all material respects.

                  We express no opinion with respect to the transactions
referred to herein and in the Prospectus or the Prospectus Supplement other than
as expressly set forth herein. The Prospectus Opinions are not binding on the
Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and the IRS could disagree with the Prospectus
Opinions. Although we believe that the Prospectus Opinions would be sustained if
challenged, there can be no assurance that this will be the case.

<PAGE>


                                      -3-                         June 11, 1998

                  Our opinions are based upon the Code, the Treasury regulations
promulgated thereunder and other relevant authorities and law, all as in effect
on the date hereof. Consequently, future changes in the law may cause the tax
treatment of the transactions referred to herein to be materially different from
that described above.

                  We are members of the Bar of the State of New York, and we do
not express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the federal law of
the United States.

                  We hereby consent to the use of this opinion for filing as 
Exhibit 8.4 to the Registration Statement.


                                Very truly yours,

                                /s/ SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT

                                SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT




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