Our Story and Services

As your Financial Advisors, we can help you define and strive to meet your goals by delivering a vast array of resources to you in the way that is most appropriate for how you invest and what you want to achieve. Working together we can help you to preserve and grow your wealth. You’ll have access to some of the world’s most seasoned and respected investment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform and a full spectrum of investment choices.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

In the News

We pride ourselves in giving our all to keep you informed on all-things finance. Take a look at the links below to stay up-to-date on the financial industry.
    Firm Increases Its Giving Back Program in EMEA
    In response the impact of the pandemic and the continuing cost of living crisis, we have increased our EMEA Giving Back program in London, Budapest, Glasgow, Frankfurt and Paris funding innovative charity partners and programs to improve lives of children and young people.
    Jed Finn: How We’re Achieving Our Goals Through Growth
    Jed Finn, Head of Wealth Management, spoke at Bank of America’s Financial Services Conference in Miami recently, where he outlined Wealth Management’s strategy of driving growth to achieve our goals of $10 trillion in client assets across Wealth and Investment Management as well as reaching 30% profit margins in Wealth Management.
    Barron’s Annual “100 Most Sustainable Companies” released, in partnership with Calvert
    Barron’s has released its annual ranking of the 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies. For the seventh year in a row, Calvert scored the 1,000 largest publicly traded companies across 230 environmental, social, and governance or ESG, performance indicators. The top 100 firms achieved the highest scores across those ESG metrics, ranging from workplace diversity to greenhouse-gas emissions.

A SMARTER APPROACH TO CHARITABLE GIVING

Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust (MS GIFT) strives to engage donors across the entire spectrum of wealth, ensuring their philanthropic aspirations and objectives will be achieved.
    Private Markets
    Many of today’s companies stay private longer, with more of their valuation being created before they become publicly traded. Morgan Stanley Private Markets connects a broad network of potential private investors in an accessible ecosystem, allowing eligible clients to buy and sell securities of private companies.
    Private Markets
    Many of today’s companies stay private longer, with more of their valuation being created before they become publicly traded. Morgan Stanley Private Markets connects a broad network of potential private investors in an accessible ecosystem, allowing eligible clients to buy and sell securities of private companies.
    Private Markets
    Many of today’s companies stay private longer, with more of their valuation being created before they become publicly traded. Morgan Stanley Private Markets connects a broad network of potential private investors in an accessible ecosystem, allowing eligible clients to buy and sell securities of private companies.
    Private Markets
    Many of today’s companies stay private longer, with more of their valuation being created before they become publicly traded. Morgan Stanley Private Markets connects a broad network of potential private investors in an accessible ecosystem, allowing eligible clients to buy and sell securities of private companies.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?

Some people go through life knowing exactly what they want and have a clear plan for how they are going to make it happen.

In our experience, this is the exception rather than the rule.

Much more common is a vague sense that "I want my family to be OK" or "I want to be sure I don't run out of money." These are valid sentiments and form a viable framework for an investment plan, but they are not defined goals.

It is crucial to identify and clearly articulate specific goals, so we can help mitigate you’re your investment risk. By defining specific goal, we can invest for the desired return without incurring undue risk.

In each case below, we can estimate a required dollar figure and a proposed timeframe. When that is established, we can look at variations and their impacts.
So what is a specific goal? Here are a few:
  • Pay for college for my two children or four grandchildren. What will that cost in the appropriate timeframe?
  • Retire from my "real" career at age 60, so I can transition to a less stressful or fun career. How much wealth will be required?
  • Have enough money for a major international trip twice a year. How much should we allocate?
  • Purchase and maintain a second home. What will that cost up front and on an annual basis?
  • Leave a multi-generational legacy for my family. Do you have an estate plan?
  • Give a meaningful gift to a charity that means a great deal to me. What do you hope to accomplish?

SOUNDS INVESTING PRINCIPLES VS. HUMAN NATURE

Have your heard the expression "buy low, sell high"? It applied to just about any investment, and savvy investors always look for opportunities where something seems to be selling for less than it's worth. So then why do investors sell of their investments when the market drops? Isn't that the perfect time to BUY, when prices are depressed (i.e., "buy low")? Doesn't it make more sense to either hold on to an investment during a market correction, or even buy stocks during a bull market?

It makes logical sense, and yet, even sophisticated investors rush to dump their stocks when the market goes down (i.e. "sell high"). Why?

Because they are acting on emotion rather than logic. They feat that the market will continue to drop and don’t want to lose any more - even though they know that long-term, they should ignore the standard ups and downs of the market and stay the course.

In fact, while people are supposed to act in their own self-interest and make logical decisions, human beings are much more inclined to act emotionally when it comes to money - that's the core principle behind a school of thought called Behavioral Investing.

The Frankel Group has studied the phenomenon of Behavioral Investing and applied it to my wealth management practice. One of the most important things we do for our clients is provide a logical, systematic response to changing conditions - we provide a guiding hand during the regular market volatility that is almost to certain to occur during any long-range investment cycle.

Emotions are part of being human, and we all respond to them. However, The Frankel Group works with our clients to be sure they don’t make investment decisions, or any financial choice, based on emotions rather than logic.

Location

2141 Rosecrans Ave
Ste 3100
El Segundo, CA 90245
US
Direct:
(310) 297-3797(310) 297-3797

Meet The Frankel Group

About Darrin Frankel

With over 30 years of industry experience, Darrin has dedicated his career to helping families and small businesses develop and execute cohesive, integrated financial plans deigned to enhance and preserve wealth. He is committed to implementing a comprehensive approach to family wealth which addresses his clients’ most pressing concerns about their financial future, as well as their legacy. As such, he takes a disciplined, consultative approach to wealth management which begins with gaining a detailed understanding of all facets of a client’s life that enables him to put their entire financial picture in the right perspective.

Darrin holds Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor titles, both of which position him to deliver a hands-on, institutional level of service to this valued clients. He also holds Series 3, 7, 9, 10, 22 and 63 licenses, as well as a California Insurance License (0B06326). His areas of focus include comprehensive wealth management, fixed income and managed accounts. He earned his B.S. in Business Finance from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

A native of Southern California, Darrin lives in the South Bay with his family. He enjoys golfing and travel and is a long-time motorcycle enthusiast. An active volunteer, Darrin is always ready to help local charitable organizations in needs of assistance.
Securities Agent: CT, NH, NJ, NC, NY, DE, TN, NV, FL, AZ, MI, IL, CA, SC, MD, HI, CO, NM, OR, ID, WA, TX, SD; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1265355

About Calyssa Frankel

Calyssa Frankel graduated from The University of California Los Angeles, with a background in political science in 2020, allowing her to bring a unique perspective to her role as a financial advisor. She is born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and currently lives in El Segundo. After graduating, Calyssa joined forces in 2022 with her Father, Darrin, who has been a Morgan Stanley financial advisor for over 35 years, Forming The Frankel Group.

Working in a family business, Calyssa and Darrin treat their clients like family and understand the importance of preserving client’s hard-earned legacy for generations to come. They employ a multigenerational approach to wealth management, putting an emphasis on long-term planning and fostering relationships between family members to make sure that the client's wealth—and the values that lie behind it—are carried on for future generations.

Outside the financial world, Calyssa is a culinary enthusiast who loves to cook and finds joy in exploring diverse cuisines. Her love to travel is fueled by a desire to immerse herself in different cultures, with food being her favorite way to connect with new places and people. Calyssa loves spending time with her dog, Ivy, who she adopted during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Fully licensed with her Series 7 and Series 66, Calyssa is well-quipped to guide her clients through the complexities investment and financial planning. What sets her apart is her genuine love for connecting with people and understanding their unique and individual financial needs and aspirations.

Calyssa' s curiosity extends beyond traditional finance; she's particularly interested in financial psychology, exploring the intersection of human behavior and financial decision-making. This passion for understanding the deeper motivations behind financial choices allows her to provide personalized guidance that goes beyond mere numbers.

Above all, Calyssa finds immense fulfillment in working alongside her father at The Frankel Group at Morgan Stanley. Their shared values, commitment to personalized service and genuine care for their clients create a power synergy that drives their success. Calyssa approaches every interaction with warmth, empathy, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on her client's lives.
Securities Agent: TX, NH, CO, HI, CA, MD, FL, NY, NV, IL, CT, TN, OR, MI, DE, SD, SC, NM, WA, NJ, UT, NC, ID, AZ; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2469542

The Power of Partnerships

By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

About Megan Cornille

Megan Cornille is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in California.

Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.

Megan began her career in financial services in 2010, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2016 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Private Client Banker at JP Morgan Chase. She also served as a Personal Banker at U.S. Bank.

Megan is a graduate of the University of California - Irvine, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology. She lives in Torrance, California with her family. Outside of the office, Megan enjoys running, traveling with her family and volunteering at her son’s school.
NMLS#: 606638

About Molly Sakahara

Molly Sakahara is an Assistant Vice President and Financial Planning Director serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management offices in the Los Angeles area. She is responsible for helping Financial Advisors with their clients' and prospects' financial planning needs.

Molly began her career in financial services in 1999 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2015. Prior to her current position, she held positions in wealth management and private banking with an emphasis on helping individuals achieve long term life goals and understanding client’s value system in relation to their wealth.

Molly graduated from UCLA and holds her Certified Financial Planner® designation, California insurance state licensing, and Series 7 and 65. She currently resides in South Pasadena, California with her spouse and two children. Outside of work, she is a squash coach at PlayLA, a committee volunteer with UCLA Chancellor’s Society, is the founder and administrator of Buy Nothing Group for her local city, and serves on the Board of Directors for SoCal Squash Association.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Mosaic

Explore ideas and inspiration with captivating, original lifestyle stories created exclusively for Morgan Stanley clients.
A Change of Greenery
Article Image

A Change of Greenery

Houseplants add oxygen, flair, and warmth year-round, and the right one in the right space can do just as much for a room as any painting or side table.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Frankel Group today.
1Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.

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2When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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3Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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4Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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5Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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6When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)