If a cardholder asserts a dispute on a "pending" charge, what is the bank's obligation to investigate? Since it has not really posted, does Reg Z even apply?

Does anyone even have thoughts on this? I'm struggling to confirm, but I cant see how Reg Z applies.

What is a pending charge?? A pre-authorization??

Yes, like when you check into a hotel and they "authorize" your card for incidentals. Or when a gas station does an authorization before you get gas. The company is basically checking to see if you have the funds available and "holding" them so to speak. But in the hotel example, when you check out of the hotel and have no charges, they would reverse the pending charge and release it. These do not appear on a billing statement (which is why I think 1026.13 does not apply) and there is no liability YET (which is why I think 1026.12(b) does not apply). But they do eat up your available credit while they are pending.

Not disputable under Regulation Z. If they want the authorization released, they need to talk to the merchant.

Excellent. Just what I thought, but I like to get some validation from others. Thanks