It is well known that international financial flows pass through Frankfurt. Much less is known about the regional financial centers in Germany. However, they offer many advantages: personal knowledge of the local environment, direct contacts with decision-makers on-site, and generally a better understanding of the business culture and market opportunities in the region. Patrick Bormann and Joachim Scholtyseck illustrate how the banking and stock exchange hub of Essen has evolved since the early 19th century from its local beginnings into a remarkably diverse and multifaceted place for banking institutions, which has played an invaluable role in financing the Ruhr area. The history of the Essen stock exchange, regional industrial banks, numerous local private banks, savings banks, and other institutions from their inception to the present day provides a comprehensive picture.