Receivables - Additional Information on Nonaccrual Receivables (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Schedule Of Financing Receivables [Line Items]
Interest income that would have been recorded if the nonaccrual receivables had been current in accordance with contractual terms during the period	$ 759	$ 761
Interest income that was recorded on nonaccrual receivables included in interest income on nonaccrual loans during the period(1)	$ 185	$ 251

Interest income recorded of nonaccrual receivables in accordance with contractual terms.

No definition available.

Name:	hsbcfc_InterestIncomeRecordedOfNonaccrualReceivablesInAccordanceWithContractualTerms
Namespace Prefix:	hsbcfc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration