Bank of America said its $2.8 billion in accords with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-owned firms pushing lenders to repurchase soured mortgages, was a “necessary step” in the housing recovery.

BofA announced Jan. 3 that it had “largely addressed” liabilities from the two mortgage-financing firms by paying Fannie Mae $1.5 billion and giving Freddie Mac $1.3 billion.

But the deals have raised howls of protest.

The agreements may have shortchanged the US government, which took over the two firms in a 2008 rescue, Rep. Maxine Waters said earlier this week.

“Our agreements with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are a necessary step toward the ultimate recovery of the housing market,” Jerry Dubrowski, a spokesman for BofA, said yesterday. “We have taken a leadership role in responding to the housing crisis.”