Net Worth: $2.53 billion, down 1.2 percent

LAST YEAR: $2.56 billion

AGE: 72

RESIDENCE: Malibu

SOURCE OF WEALTH: Auto financing

THE MONEY: Hankey, who opens books to the Business Journal, made fortune on subprime car loans by acquiring family’s Midway Ford dealership in 1972 and turning it into auto service giant Hankey Group. Company’s largest subsidiary and money-maker is auto lender Westlake Financial Services. Hankey also owns Knight Insurance Co., car-lending software developer Nowcom, and Midway Car Rental as well as auto dealerships and land.

THE BUZZ: Hankey Group formed partnership with Uber last year to offer loans to drivers who want to purchase a car. Program allows Westlake to subtract payments from drivers’ paychecks. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau last year ordered Westlake to refund $44 million to customers after company allegedly used illegal methods to collect money from debtors. Westlake also ordered to pay $4.3 million in civil penalties. Hankey Group reported $1.5 billion in revenue last year with total assets of $5.5 billion. Hankey first appeared on billionaire’s list in 2013, a move he said boosted business. Owns $35 million Xanadu estate in Malibu. Wife, Debbie, president of Hankey Foundation, charity couple established in 2014.