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Pricing Supplement dated January 17, 1995               Rule 424(b)(3)
(To Prospectus dated November 8, 1993 and               File No. 33-50883
Prospectus Supplement dated December 3, 1993)

                                ADVANTA CORP.
                   MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES A - FIXED RATE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal Amount:  $10,000,000                 Interest Rate: 8.30%
Agent's Discount or Commission:   $25,000      Stated Maturity Date:  1/24/97
Net Proceeds to Issuer:  $9,975,000            Original Issue Date:  1/24/95
Issue Price:        100%                       Trade Date:  1/17/95    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Payment Dates:   June 15 and December 15         Cusip No.:  00756QBA5
                          each year until maturity

Day Count Convention:

         / X /   30/360 for the period from         1/24/95 to 1/24/97
         /   /   Actual/360 for the period from             to
         /   /   Actual/Actual for the period from          to

Redemption:

         / X /   The Notes cannot be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

         /   /   The Notes may be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity Date.
                 Initial Redemption Date:
                 Initial Redemption Percentage:
                 Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction: ____% until Redemption
                 Percentage is 100% of the principal amount.

Optional Repayment:

         / X /   The Notes cannot be repaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

         /   /   The Notes can be repaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date at
                 the option of the holder of the Notes.
                 Option Repayment Dates:
                 Repayment Price: ____%

Currency:

         Specified Currency:
           (If other than U.S. dollars, see attached)
         Minimum Denominations:
           (Applicable only if Specified Currency is other than U.S. dollars)
         Original Issue Discount:
                          /   /   Yes      / X /   No

         Total Amount of OID:
         Yield to Maturity:
         Initial Accrual Period:
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Form:

         / X /   Book Entry                       /  /    Certificated

Agent acting in the capacity as indicated below:

         / X /   Agent                            /  /    Principal

If as Principal:

         /   /   The Notes are being offered at varying prices related to 
                 prevailing market prices at the time of resale.

         /   /   The Notes are being offered at a fixed initial public 
                 offering price of ____% of principal amount.

If as Agent:

         The Notes are being offered at a fixed initial public offering price 
         of 100% of principal amount.
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/  /     Other Provisions:  (see attached)

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               / X /  Merrill Lynch & Co.

                                  /  /  CS First Boston

                                                    /  /  Salomon Brothers Inc