Top officials of the U.S. central bank signaled Wednesday that they may launch a new effort to boost the economy if growth does not improve.

U.S. Federal Reserve officials indicated that bolstering growth might include a program intended to lower long-term interest rates with a complex program of buying bonds.

The hope is that lower interest rates could encourage businesses to borrow the money needed to buy new equipment, and expand production and hiring.

This information came in notes from the most recent Fed meeting, which were published after the customary three-week delay.