NEW YORK – MasterCard and Visa have signaled that they are likely to appeal a Federal appeals court ruling that has said they must abandon their policy not allowing financial institutions which issue their cards from issuing the cards of other companies like American Express or Discover. In a press release, Visa called the decision disappointing. The San Francisco-based payment card association said it would likely appeal the ruling and petition for a rehearing by the appellate court. "We remain convinced that the district court decision . is erroneous and that our rules and practices have been lawful and beneficial to consumers, and we hope that higher courts will agree with us," Visa said in the release. A MasterCard spokesman said he had no formal release yet but that he expected the association was considering appeal.