The Finance Department says Flaherty is scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. (1215 GMT).5 Y% Y# z: G a& s' h
. `6 { G* Z/ A5 jA 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.8 v; ]' o4 _. }4 L+ R8 N- T