Much can be done to improve the process of managing risk in the commercial lending environment. Recent advances in technology, continuous academic progress and a groundswell of practitioners motivated by the state of the economy create the ideal atmosphere for change. While pessimists remain paralyzed in the midst of what many refer to as the ‘perfect economic storm’, tomorrow’s leaders are busy retooling processes that will make them stronger and better able to compete. This paper puts forth one change-opportunity that vastly improves the commercial lender’s insight into loan-portfolio risk and opens the door to a new era of better risk management.