(Reuters) - American Express Co (>> American Express Company) said it would launch operations in Cuba following President Barack Obama's decision this month to ease sanctions against the communist-ruled island.

MasterCard Inc (>> Mastercard Inc) said last week it would allow its cards issued in the United States to be used in Cuba from March 1 as Washington eases restrictions on travel, trade and financial activities.

Marina Norville, a spokeswoman for American Express, confirmed in an email that AmEx also planned to start business activities in Cuba but provided no further details.

Visa Inc (>> Visa Inc) has not revealed its plans for Cuba, and company executives were not available to comment on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Amrutha Gayathri in Bengaluru; Editing by Ted Kerr)

Stocks treated in this article : American Express Company, Mastercard Inc, Visa Inc