The region's richest got poorer last year after the total value of the Birmingham Post Rich List 2016 was hit by a declining export market.
The total value of the 50 wealthiest people in the West Midlands, revealed in today's Post, fell from £17.4 billion to less than £17 billion.
Among those to see their value fall was Lord Paul of Marylebone, whose company Caparo Industries collapsed this year, with £800 million wiped off his fortune.
And it was not only manufacturers.
James Holder, founder of fashion retailer SuperGroup, also saw his fortune dip by £10 million because of a slowdown in China.
Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said the data might have been expected.
The latest chamber economic survey revealed huge concern in the production sector amid a skills shortage and falling growth in emerging economies like China and India.
● Click through to read more about the 2016 Rich List and detailed profiles of the entrants
He said: "Our recent Quarterly Economic Survey revealed that manufacturers were citing a slowdown in the economy as a chief business concern.
"Figures for both UK sales and exports were down for manufacturers. Other concerns included low oil prices and the exchange rate.
"There are also worries about the slowdown in the Chinese economy, which will further hit business confidence in the West Midlands.
"Bearing this in mind, it is not surprising the Rich List has slipped a bit this year - but, despite this, Birmingham remains a hotspot for start-ups and we look forward to the next generation of entrepreneurs making their mark on what will hopefully be improved future Rich Lists."
If exporters were the losers in this year's Rich List, property developers and investors were the winners.
The majority of people on the list saw their fortunes improve, notably Bloor Homes founder John Bloor, who has become the region's newest billionaire, and Redrow Homes' Steve Morgan - better known as chairman of Wolves - who added £100 million to his value.
Rupert Mucklow, at the head of property group Mucklow, had a great year with his fortune rising from £98 million to £162 million. However, the top four on the list still earned their money from manufacturing.
The entry price for making the Rich List has increased this year. You needed a personal fortune of at least £65 million to qualify for a place, beating last year's total of £57 million.
There were some notable new entrants, not least West Bromwich Albion chairman Jeremy Peace. The former financier's majority ownership of the club, which was put up for sale last year, has pushed his wealth up to £150 million.
Elsewhere, retired GP Dr Dallas Burston, who made his fortune from pharmaceuticals, makes it onto the list, alongside retail boss, and the man behind Poundland's dramatic expansion, Jim McCarthy.
Jeremy Woolridge, the man at the head of galvanising giant Wedge Group, also makes it onto the list with a fortune of £138 million.
Among the famous faces remaining on the list are musicians Ozzy Osbourne, Robert Plant and Jeff Lynne.
