The Finance Department says Flaherty is scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. (1215 GMT). 3 }8 q/ c& v% _+ p" R8 F & u. K. s: V$ C* B, n8 mA government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the government will reduce the maximum amortization period of a mortgage to 25 years from 30 years, and lower the level of home equity that can be borrowed against to 80 percent from 85 percent. }" J1 E; t# i- A5 N( v) _3 M8 }' A. m