THE MONEY: Hankey’s eight companies, all under Hankey Group umbrella, had big year, especially subprime auto finance company Westlake Financial Services, which saw revenue climb by 20 percent thanks in part to an expansion of its business with new-car dealerships. (Westlake mainly finances used cars.) Across all eight Hankey Group companies, profits in March totaled $34 million –company record. He offered more details about his holdings outside of the Hankey Group, prompting recalculation of last year’s figure.

BUZZ: Executive under Hankey said boss has simple rules: grow business by 20 percent annually and earn 30 percent returns on investment. “It’s not easy, but it’s simple,” executive said. Native Angeleno and USC alumnus started career as stock broker and investment banker. Built multibillion-dollar empire out of family’s partial stake in money-losing car dealership. Found he could make more money financing cars than selling them, and Westlake Financial Services was born. Company makes mostly high-interest loans to car buyers with bad credit. Other holdings include Midway Car Rental; North Hollywood Toyota; Knight Insurance; and Nowcom, which makes software used by car dealerships. Through Hankey Investment Co. and partners including Jamison Properties founder David Lee, plans to build two apartment towers at Figueroa and 12th streets, just across from Staples Center. Did some real estate dealing of his own last year: Hankey and wife, Debbi, still own Xanadu, Malibu beachfront mansion formerly home to Olivia Newton-John, but recently bought second Malibu home with stables, lake and vineyard. Has taken up horseback riding in canyons above Zuma Beach. Parted this year with $20 million to set up Don Hankey Foundation, which he said he will use to help Los Angeles. “The city’s been good to me,” he said.

*recalculated

NET WORTH:

$2.3 billion s25%

LAST YEAR: $1.84 billion*

AGE: 70

RESIDENCE: Malibu

SOURCE OF WEALTH:

Auto financing