As the Swedish economy changed in the 19th century, so did the credit market. There was no uniform credit market in Sweden at the time, but it was divided into several locations, with Stockholm and Gothenburg being the most important. One player on the credit market was the trading houses. Their role on the credit market in Gothenburg in the 19th century is the subject of this study. The trading houses' lending was large and even generated greater profits than the trading activities. Nor did the role of the Gothenburg trading houses on the credit market disappear as the modern banking system was established. In other cities, the banks took over the role of the trading houses. Gothenburg's trading houses thus deviate from the national pattern. Was this due to a stronger link to international capital markets among the trading houses? Another important aspect is the relationship between the trading houses' lending to small businesses. In other source material, trading houses appear as important lenders to artisans. The study will increase the understanding of how small entrepreneurs financed their activities. Since the lending of the trading houses had a clear connection with trade in and out of Gothenburg, the questions will be placed in a larger international context. The project, which is linked to a project on informal and formal credit markets in Gothenburg, is important for obtaining an overall picture of the credit markets during this period.