CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Finance and other interest income	$ 3,423	$ 4,122	$ 4,941
Interest expense on debt held by:
Interest expense	1,777	2,346	2,905
Net interest income	1,646	1,776	2,036
Provision for credit losses	2,224	4,418	5,346
Net interest income (loss) after provision for credit losses	(578)	(2,642)	(3,310)
Other revenues:
Derivative related income (expense)	(207)	(1,146)	(379)
Gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives	(449)	1,164	741
Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates	35	20	36
Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale	(1,529)	1	2
Other income	31	101	84
Total other revenues	(2,119)	140	484
Operating expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits	183	158	234
Occupancy and equipment expenses, net	44	51	55
Real estate owned expenses	90	206	274
Other servicing and administrative expenses	487	570	372
Support services from HSBC affiliates	310	270	241
Total operating expenses	1,114	1,255	1,176
Loss from continuing operations before income tax	(3,811)	(3,757)	(4,002)
Income tax benefit	1,406	1,431	1,453
Loss from continuing operations	(2,405)	(2,326)	(2,549)
Discontinued Operations (Note 3):
Income from discontinued operations before income tax	2,521	1,380	1,070
Income tax expense	(961)	(462)	(437)
Income from discontinued operations	1,560	918	633
Net loss	(845)	(1,408)	(1,916)
Debt issued to HSBC affiliates [Member]
Interest expense on debt held by:
Interest expense	163	164	147
Debt issued to non-affiliates [Member]
Interest expense on debt held by:
Interest expense	$ 1,614	$ 2,182	$ 2,758