Many Federal Reserve policy makers said additional stimuluswould probably be needed soon unless the economy shows signs of adurable pickup, according to minutes of their most recentmeeting.

“Many members judged that additional monetary accommodationwould likely be warranted fairly soon unless incoming informationpointed to a substantial and sustainable strengthening in the paceof the economic recovery,” according to the record of the FederalOpen Market Committee's July 31- Aug. 1 gathering released today inWashington.

Policy makers said after the meeting that they will step uprecord stimulus if needed to spur growth and cut a jobless ratestuck above 8 percent since February 2009. Chairman Ben S. Bernankewill have an opportunity to clarify his views in an Aug. 31 speechat a forum for central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where hesignaled a second round of bond buying by the Fed in 2010. Fedofficials next meet on Sept. 12-13.