Rural lifestyle consumers are re-evaluating who they trust with their dollars and their debt
There’s a shift in spending habits on the horizon. With tariffs and higher prices looming, consumers are adjusting budgets and priorities. And it’s not just about grocery store spending. They’re reshaping how people budget across the board, especially for big-ticket items like a new house, barn or equipment. For ag lenders, this means rural customers aren’t making decisions the way they used to. They’re slower to spend, more likely to compare options and far more focused on value over brand loyalty.
Recent consumer data backs this up and shows that it’s more than a passing trend.
A May 2025 survey by Wunderkind found that:
- 76% of consumers say they’re likely to switch brands based on price alone
- 66% would switch brands for just a 10–20% discount
- Nearly 90% said they’d change their purchase behavior in response to price hikes from their favorite brands
This isn’t temporary belt-tightening. More than a third of consumers expect these changes to last through the end of the year or beyond, signaling a long-term shift in how people make purchase decisions. For ag lenders, especially those serving rural lifestyle customers, it’s a cue to build flexible, resilient marketing strategies that stay relevant over time.
Let’s walk through what this means for your brand and how to adapt to the changing landscape.
The new rules of engagement
- Loyalty isn’t gone, but it’s negotiable: Consumers remain open to loyalty, but it must be earned by delivering value, not relying on brand recognition. Rural customers financing acreage, barns, homes or equipment are treating big purchases with extra caution. Of note is how different age groups are responding. For example, the Wunderkind survey found that Millennials and Gen Z are most open to trying new brands for the right price. Boomers, on the other hand, are more likely to delay purchases entirely. Understanding your audience’s generational response can help tailor your message. Younger buyers want value now. Older buyers need compelling reasons to act.
- Timing is everything: Customers are delaying non-essentials and waiting for special offers. But that doesn’t mean disengaged borrowers. It means they are spending more time in research mode, comparing, evaluating and asking questions. This is your chance to show up with content that educates, reassures and nudges. If you’re not there with timely, relevant messaging, you risk getting cut from their shortlist.
- Trust is built differently now: Clear communication about pricing, benefits and value is more important than ever. Rural customers want transparency. They respond to messaging that puts them in control, not to one-size-fits-all campaigns. They are making careful, thoughtful choices. They don’t just want to know what you’re offering. They want to understand why it’s worth it and how it fits into their lives.
What ag finance marketers can do
We help brands in the ag space move with their customers, not just speak at them. Here’s what we recommend as a starting point:
- Audit your messaging: Are you speaking to cost-conscious concerns directly and empathetically?
- Lean into value: Not just rates, but rewards, flexibility and real-life use cases that reflect your customers’ priorities.
- Build smart content strategies: Speak to behaviors like delayed purchases, increased comparison shopping and demand for flexibility.
- Offer retention incentives: Exclusive loyalty rewards or clear payment options can keep cost-sensitive rural buyers from walking away even when rates go up.
- Optimize digital touchpoints: People are comparing options more than ever before. Make sure your website, social channels and email campaigns highlight value and flexibility.
This shift in consumer behavior isn’t a blip. It’s a recalibration.
Brands that respond with clarity, value and timing will do more than weather this shift, they’ll come out ahead.
Is your brand ready for the rural finance shift? Find out in less than two minutes with our self-assessment.
And if you’re looking for a partner to help you navigate the changing landscape, we can help. Drop us a note to get the conversation started.