The Finance Department says Flaherty is scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. (1215 GMT).# r( u% q& @: V) e2 A4 E$ h
g' s# [# r# y7 J& ~, bA 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. " n! _$ o0 j( T) T