Subprime King Don Hankey Lists Highland Beach Home for $43.85M

From car loans to coastal compounds — the billionaire behind America’s subprime car loan empire wants out of Highland Beach.

Don Hankey, the $7.4 billion man who made his fortune financing high-interest auto loans and bailing out Donald Trump, is testing the upper limits of Florida’s luxury market. His oceanfront mansion in Highland Beach is now listed for a breezy $43.85 million — a nearly 50% markup from what he paid just over three years ago.

The seven-bedroom estate spans 11,000 square feet of South Florida opulence: think a second-floor pool deck for privacy, a 3,000-square-foot sky terrace, two kitchens (one for show, one for a chef), lava-stone floors to weather the coastal air, and a 1,200-bottle wine wall for good measure.

“The moment you walk in, it feels like a five-star resort,” said listing agent Samantha Curry of Douglas Elliman. We’d expect nothing less.

Hankey acquired the property in September 2021 for $29.5 million, during the height of Florida’s post-COVID real estate frenzy — a cool $8 million more than the previous buyer paid just six months earlier. Now, with Florida’s housing market showing signs of softening, he’s aiming to exit with a flourish.

But unlike many sellers, Hankey isn’t just rich — he’s rich and powerful. The L.A.-based financier chairs Westlake Financial, a titan in subprime car loans, and has long been a behind-the-scenes operator in political and financial circles. He famously arranged Trump’s $175 million appeal bond earlier this year and holds significant stake in Axos Financial, the bank that refinanced both Trump Tower and Trump Doral when others walked away.

The property sits 17 feet above sea level on a rare stretch of Highland Beach, a choice detail as climate threats loom larger over coastal investments. According to Curry, oceanfront inventory remains scarce and demand from high-net-worth buyers hasn’t dried up — even as broader market sentiment turns cautious.

Still, listing a mansion this size at this price right now? It’s a power move, and very much on brand for a man who’s built a fortune betting against conventional wisdom.