Regions

 Federal Reserve officials felt they could decide to start scaling back the U.S. central bank's massive asset purchase program at one of its next few meetings, provided this was warranted by economic growth, minutes of the Fed's October policy meeting showed.

"Many members stressed the data-dependent nature of the current asset purchase program," said the minutes of the Oct. 29-30 meeting, released on Wednesday.

"Some pointed out that, if economic conditions warranted, the Committee could decide to slow the pace of purchases at one of its next few meetings."

Policymakers are next scheduled to gather on Dec. 17-18.