[1] After having studied law at Lund University, Erik Penser commenced a career as a stockbroker at Bankirfirman Langenskiöld, which later became Carnegie Investment Bank.
Together with Tomas Fischer he worked intensively to develop the firm's business, laying the foundation for his private wealth.
His massive financial leverage and the harsh business environment experienced during the Swedish banking crisis in 1990–1994 forced Penser to cease control of his holdings, which were sold to Nordbanken (which became Nordea) for the symbolic sum of SEK 1 each.
In Sweden, his main holdings includes Erik Penser Bankaktiebolag, with activities in corporate finance, trading, research and private wealth management and Pensum, an insurance and pension advisory firm.
Erik Penser is known as a distinguished collector, collecting – amongst many objects – old share certificates, film posters, magazines and bank notes.