DePaul University’s Center for Financial Services’ Quarterly Investment Update panel discussion on May 17 will focus on the opportunities and challenges of investing in China, the world’s fastest growing economy. The free, public event geared toward finance professionals will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 8005. A networking reception will follow the program.

Titled "Building BRICS" in reference to the economic grouping of Brazil, Russia, India and China, which represent 40 percent of the world’s population and a quarter of its land, the program will explore how China’s rising per capita income, traditional export-driven growth, protectionist stance and other factors affect the outlook for investing in China.

Panelists will be John L. Rogers, founder and former president of Midwest U.S.-China Association, and Robert Gernstetter, founder and director of Mastholm Asset Management and an adjunct professor of finance at DePaul. Karim Pakravan, visiting associate professor of finance at DePaul, will moderate.

Space is limited. To register, e-mail the Center for Financial Services at cfs@depaul.edu or visit finance.depaul.edu/cfs. For more information, call Kelly Glenn at (312) 362-7531.

The Center for Financial Services was established in 2007 to coordinate DePaul’s financial services research, industry outreach and degree programs, including MBA concentrations in banking and investment management, at the university’s College of Commerce.