Federal Reserve officials were not unanimous in their decision last month to phase out the purchase of mortgage securities from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Some members, whose opinions were recorded in the meeting minutes released Wednesday, thought that the program should be expanded and extended to continue to stimulate the housing market.

Despite these concerns, the Fed decided at the December meeting to allow the program to expire March 31.

Some participants still viewed the improved outlook as quite tentative and again pointed to potential sources of softness, according to the meeting's minutes.

Source: The Associated Press, Jeannine Aversa