(a) This article shall not apply to any bank, trust company, credit union, building and loan association, or savings and loan association which is chartered under the laws of this state or under federal law and domiciled in this state.

(b) The provisions of Code Sections 7-1-701, 7-1-702, and 7-1-703, and of subsections (a) through (d) of Code Section 7-1-707 shall not apply to persons, partnerships, associations, or corporations engaged in the business of cashing checks, drafts, or money orders:

(1) Incidental to the retail sale of goods or services for a consideration of not more than 1 percent of the face amount of the check, draft, or money order or $1.00 per check, draft, or money order, whichever is greater, and where the aggregate gross income received by such person, partnership, association, or corporation as consideration for the cashing of checks does not exceed $25,000.00 per annum for each business location; or

(2) Where the aggregate gross income received by such person, partnership, association, or corporation as consideration for the cashing of checks, drafts, or money orders does not exceed $12,000.00 by such person, partnership, association, or corporation during its most recently completed fiscal year.

In all other respects, such persons, partnerships, associations, or corporations shall be deemed to be licensees under this article.

(c) Persons, partnerships, associations, or corporations claiming exemption under paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of this Code section shall register with the department on or before August 1 of each year certifying as to the basis for such exemption. A single registration accompanied by a registration fee to be established by regulations of the department shall cover all locations operated by such person, partnership, association, or corporation.