Winds of change are sweeping across the corporate landscape and there is an increasing need to cope with the ever-changing forces of competition, technological onslaught, and new trends in the economy. This scenario has led to a growing awareness that productive utilization of human resources is the key to organizational success. India has large public and private sector banks and there is a common perception that public sector banks are inefficient and ineffective while the privately owned and managed banks provide superior services and are more sustainable. The underlying assumption is that there is a potential gap in management capacity between the sectors. This study aims to ascertain the skills and competency levels of bank branch managers in India and to determine whether there are any significant differences in competency levels between managers in the different sector banks. A survey using a self administered questionnaire was used to get the requisite information. Respondents were asked to rate their proficiency with seven key functions that they perform. These included functional characteristics such as development of public relations, responsibility of bank's promotion in the local market, development of collaboration with colleagues and subordinates, ensures timely and accurate information sharing, uses appropriate communication channels and behavioural characteristics such as creation of a climate of trust, dealing with conflicts and appreciation of diversity. Ratings are based on a five point Likert scale ranging from very low skill level to very high skill level. The results show that managers in the private sector perceive themselves to be significantly more competent than their public sector colleagues in most of the management facets. Public sector bank managers in relation to their counterparts in the private sector banks are reported to require more training and development efforts to perform their jobs efficiently in the changing banking environment.