R.I. Gen. Laws § 19-26-1: Businesses subject to chapter.

Every person, partnership, or corporation, except a national bank or bank or trust company duly incorporated under the laws of this state, engaged in the business of loaning money on the security of a deposit of any personal property other than choses in action, whether or not a note or other evidence of indebtedness be given by the borrower, shall be deemed to be carrying on the business of a pawnbroker, within the meaning of this chapter, and shall be subject to all the provisions contained in this chapter.