Which of the following statements is CORRECT, assuming positive interest rates and holding other things constant?

A$.$ Banks A and B offer the same nominal annual rate of interest, but A pays interest quarterly and B pays semiannually. Deposits in Bank B will provide the higher future value than Bank A if you leave your funds on deposit.

B$.$ The nominal annual rate is never equal to the effective annual rate.

C$.$ If an investment pays $10\%$ interest, compounded annually, its effective annual rate will be less than $10\%.$

D$.$ A bank loan's nominal interest rate will always be equal to or less than its effective annual rate.

E$.$ The periodic interest rate can be higher than the nominal annual interest rate.