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Marcus V. Griffin II, CFA

My mission is to help women & the people they love navigate life's transitions.

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Narrow Gate Wealth Management Marcus V. Griffin II, CFA
Laguna Niguel, CA

Serving Clients Nationwide

My mission is to help women & the people they love navigate life's transitions.

4 Certified Advisor Reviews™
5 out of 5 Stars
Jump to Reviews

(949) 649-6263

Website

Areas of Focus

  • Estate Planning
  • Family and Money
  • Financial Life Planning
  • Inherited Wealth
  • Investment Management
  • Loss of Spouse or Partner
  • Multi-Generational Wealth
  • Retirement Planning
  • Taxes
  • Women & Wealth

About Marcus V. Griffin II, CFA

The real reason you plan isn’t just for you. It’s for the people you love.

Why do 70% of WIDOWS* fire their financial advisor within the first year of losing their husband?

I believe it’s rarely about technical expertise. More often, they were likely never truly seen, heard, or prepared. Maybe they were ignored. Talked down to. Or not included.

Most women don’t fully realize they’re likely to manage their finances alone one day.

Even when life feels stable enough, everything can change in an instant:

► Retirement suddenly becomes real
► A diagnosis turns everything upside down
► An aging parent needs full-time care
► A spouse passes away

There’s no exciting time to plan. But there is a wrong time — in the middle of the storm.

In 2003, I learned this the hard way.

Days after accepting a role at a multi-family office — where the managing partner told me, “I think widows will resonate with you,” — I was hospitalized with a life-threatening condition. Doctors told me that if it hadn’t been caught then, I might not have survived the year.

My young wife nearly became a widow. Ironic.
And we weren’t ready — emotionally or practically.

We thought we had time.

When a husband entrusts me to care for his wife’s future and their family’s well-being, I carry that responsibility with reverence.
I’ve stood at the edge of what could have been…and realized what wasn’t in place.

I came to believe that estate readiness isn’t for the dying. It’s for the living.
It’s not just a plan. It seeks to provide peace and empowerment.

WHY I FOUNDED NARROW GATE

For over 20 years, I’ve helped women and the people they love navigate life’s financial transitions — with compassion, clarity, and care.

Here’s what I’ve heard time and again:

► “I’m worried about outliving my spouse.”
► “I’m overwhelmed by all of the financial decisions.”
► “I want to feel seen and heard by my advisor.”

MY MISSION IS SIMPLE:
To come alongside women and their families so they don't have to walk alone.

Our goal is to design clear, personalized financial roadmaps to help you prepare for retirement, navigate a loss, or care for aging parents.

Unlike some advisors who focus only on investments, we want to focus on the moments that matter most.
When everything is uncertain, the right support can make all the difference.

When it comes to your future and legacy, you deserve more than just facts and figures.
You deserve someone who understands.

LET'S START WITH JUST A CONVERSATION.
No pitch. No pressure. No cost.
Just a safe place for your story to be heard.

*source: Financial Advisor Magazine

Professional Designations

  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Affiliations

  • CFA Institute

Primary Location

Laguna Niguel, California

Meeting Options

  • Video Conference
  • In-Person
  • Phone
Book Intro Call

Compensation Methods

  • Fee Only
  • Percentage of Assets Managed

What to expect in the first meeting

Click the 'Book Intro Call' button to schedule a 15-minute meeting for an introductory call with Marcus Griffin, wealth advisor and founder of Narrow Gate Wealth Management. We have a process called the Narrow Gate Journey that helps us take steps at your pace. We refer to this introductory call as "Just A Conversation." During this call, you talk and we listen. There’s no cost, no pitch, and no pressure to continue. This is your space to share your story and be truly heard.

Offers Investment Management

Yes

About Narrow Gate Wealth Management

From equity research to private client portfolio management to serving as chief investment officer, my 30 years in financial services has given me a depth and breadth of experience. My longtime desire to provide comprehensive wealth planning to a limited number of clients led me to establish Narrow Gate Wealth Management in 2022.

Why Narrow Gate?

Because we limit the number of clients we serve, our “gate” is truly “narrow.” This enables us to focus on strengthening existing client relationships rather than continually seeking to grow our client base.

My Path

Early in my career, I served as an investment officer in a family office, working with financially successful women and their families whose primary goal was to protect their wealth. Aside from getting to know these clients and understanding their needs, what I enjoyed most was educating them about every aspect of their wealth plan.

For more than two decades, my love of teaching has stayed with me. I’m as passionate as ever about helping my clients make informed decisions to help them preserve and grow their wealth.

My Planning Approach

My team’s comprehensive approach to wealth management centers on creating long-term relationships across generations. I think it’s important for my clients and future generations to be part of conversations around preserving the wealth they’ve worked so hard to build.

Key to our planning process is uncovering your “why”—not just what your goals are, but why they matter. We do that by spending time with you, “listening between the lines” to fully understand your needs. Then, we’ll put your goals in writing, which not only helps you stay on track toward reaching them but also holds us accountable to you. Our mission is to help you put your wealth to work to both sustain and enrich your life.

Investment advisory services are offered through Mariner Platform Solutions (“MPS”), an SEC registered investment adviser. Mr. Griffin maintains a separate business entity, Narrow Gate Wealth Management, through which he markets services. The separate business entity is not owned, controlled by, or affiliated with MPS and is not registered with the SEC. For additional information about MPS, including fees and services, please refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

Education

Wake Forest University, BS, Business Administration

Volunteer Experience

► Founded & Currently Leading Men's Fellowship (weekly men's group) at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools (2018 - present)

► Discussion Facilitator - Alpha USA program - serving Marines at Camp Pendelton (2024 - present)

► Board of Trustees at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools (2019 - 2023)

► Co-Founded & Co-Led Men's Fraternity (weekly men's group) at Whitefield Academy (2012-2016)

Hobbies and Interests

  • Church
  • Cooking
  • Family
  • Grilling
  • Hiking
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Reading
  • Skiing
  • Soccer

SEC Lookup

View Disclosure

Who We Serve

  • Baby Boomers
  • Couples
  • Divorce
  • Families
  • Gen X
  • Living in Retirement
  • Single Women
  • Widow
  • Women in Transition
  • Women Professionals
  • Women’s Finance

To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn a nominal monthly fee from financial advisors and firms in exchange for marketing services (including being featured on this profile page), subject to terms of use. This compensation creates a natural conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others. Wealthtender is not a client of these advisors or firms. Testimonials may not be representative of other clients’ experiences and do not guarantee future performance or success.

Honest, professional, down to earth!

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Jul 9, 2025
Marcus gives an honest and understanding approach to our financial needs. He is an expert in his field and we feel confident with him as our advisor. He offers a wide variety of resources and has a level headed approach to making our portfolio grow.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Jul 9, 2025
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Dave Cindy
Dave Cindy

The Way Teamwork Should Be

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Jul 8, 2025
I have been working with Marcus for over a decade; for a time with a previous private investment firm, through the pandemic, and now several years with his firm, Narrow Gate. Throughout this time, Marcus has been consistent: he's genuine, an unquestionably well informed and grounded fiduciary, and painstaking in formulating and executing our joint investment strategy. He's careful to consider the broader aspects of investment strategy as it relates to spouse/family planning needs and tax minimization. Interactions in my opinion are pleasant investigations of relevant financial estate matters - conversations that result in clear understanding and no b.s. Marcus is an active listener and if he doesn't immediately know the answer to your question, he's quick to find the answer and promptly get back to you. His team at Narrow Gate is top notch, efficient and equally dedicated to the client's interests.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Jul 8, 2025
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Allan
Allan

Empowering and Educational Advisor

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Jul 7, 2025
I was introduced to Marcus by a shared client, and I’m so grateful for that connection. What immediately stood out—and continues to impress me—is how passionate he is about education. Investing felt intimidating to me at first. I didn’t know where to start, and honestly, I was a little embarrassed by how little I knew. But Marcus has never made me feel anything but respected. He takes the time to explain things in a way that’s empowering, not overwhelming. Whether I want to understand every detail or just the big picture, he meets me where I am. His patience, clarity, and genuine desire to help his clients learn and feel confident with their money is rare—and deeply appreciated. Working with Marcus has not only helped me grow financially, but has made me feel like I belong in the conversation. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, respectful, and truly supportive financial advisor.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Jul 7, 2025
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Katija
Katija

Outstanding Wealth/Financial Advisor and Analyst

✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Jul 7, 2025
Marcus Griffin is an outstanding financial advisor and analyst. He is insightful, supportive, knowledgeable, friendly, and focused, always operating with impeccable integrity and care. We began our discussions and work with Marcus in 2016, and thus the relationship is in its ninth year. From the beginning, he worked to understand our goals and desired risk tolerance, and then created investment options/plans to support those goals, both short term and long term. And he did so collaboratively, so we all felt comfortable with the decisions made. He showed us historical data, expertly explained the options to go forward, and highlighted the risks and trade-offs to be made. He worked with us on both pre-tax and after-tax scenarios, modeling solutions and a potential range of outcomes. As our lives changed, he continued that focus and adapted to our evolving needs and circumstances, always looking for opportunities to enhance our portfolio and our lives. And his advice extended beyond the portfolio. He also provided financial input for our consideration outside his direct support and execution, helping us with ideas, research, and information on topics like what we could do for our grandchildren, estate planning, etc. We highly recommend Marcus!
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Jul 7, 2025
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
Avatar for Scott and Diane
Scott and Diane
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