Which item is typically a function of a credit union?

Credit unions are member-owned financial cooperatives that focus on serving their members' financial needs rather than generating profits. One of their primary functions is to provide personal loan services to members, often at competitive interest rates. This reflects their core mission of providing accessible financial services and supporting the financial well-being of their members.

The other options do not align with the fundamental structure or purpose of a credit union. For instance, offering stock options and issuing public shares are functions typically associated with for-profit corporations, not credit unions. Credit unions do not operate in a for-profit mode, as they aim to serve their members and reinvest earnings back into their services rather than distributing profits to shareholders. Thus, personal loan services accurately represent a key function of credit unions within the context of providing financial services to their members.