How Do Interest Rates Impact Equipment Financing in 2026?

[Victor Johnsen]

Hey everyone, I’ve been wondering how interest rates in 2026 are affecting equipment financing lately. Are you guys seeing higher monthly payments or stricter loan terms compared to before? Has it changed how you decide to buy or lease equipment? Also curious if anyone’s holding off on big purchases because of rates right now. What strategies are you using to still make deals work?

 

[George]

Rates in 2026 aren't "cheap," but they're also not stopping the industry. The main shift is being more strategic about timing, cash flow, and asset selection.

 

[John Calvin Lewis]

Yeah it definitely feels like rates are making people think twice. Curious if more folks are leaning toward leasing now instead of financing to keep payments lower?

 

[IamBruce_Driver]

From what I've been seeing and hearing, monthly payments have gone up compared to a couple of years ago, especially for larger machines or longer loan terms. Lenders also seem to be a bit more cautious, with stricter credi trequirements, higher down payments, and closer reviews of cash flow before approving financing.