unrealized gain loss on cash flow hedges net of tax accumulated other comprehensive income loss.

No definition available.

Name:	hsbcfc_UnrealizedGainLossOnCashFlowHedgesNetOfTaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	hsbcfc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Unrealized gain loss on foreign currency derivatives net of tax.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hsbcfc_UnrealizedGainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	hsbcfc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

unrealized gain loss on interest rate cash flow hedges net of tax accumulated other comprehensive income loss.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hsbcfc_UnrealizedGainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgesNetOfTaxAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	hsbcfc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of net gains or losses on a cash flow hedge reclassified in the period to interest expense from accumulated other comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7668309&loc=d3e80784-113994

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToInterestExpenseNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of net gains or losses on foreign currency cash flow hedges reclassified during the period to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income upon the hedged transaction affecting earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(2), b(4)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToEarningsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net gain (loss) recognized in earnings during the reporting period representing the amount of the cash flow hedges' ineffectiveness.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (d)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnCashFlowHedgeIneffectivenessNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net gain (loss) during the reporting period due to ineffectiveness in foreign currency cash flow hedges. Recognized in earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (d)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeIneffectiveness
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net gain (loss) during the reporting period due to ineffectiveness in interest rate cash flow hedges. Recognized in earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (d)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnInterestRateCashFlowHedgeIneffectiveness
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of net gains or losses on interest rate cash flow hedges reclassified during the period to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income upon the hedged transaction affecting earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToEarningsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Derivative Financial Instruments - Gain or Loss Recorded on Our Cash Flow Hedging Relationships (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Unrealized gain loss on cash flow hedges net of tax accumulated other comprehensive income loss	$ 45	$ (99)	$ 110	$ (39)
Currency swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Currency Swaps	21	70	49	108
Interest rate swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Interest Rate Swaps	24	(169)	61	(147)
Interest Income [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Interest Expense, Net, Total	(6)	(14)	(21)	(50)
Interest Income [Member] \| Currency swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Reclassed from Accumulated OCI into Income on Currency Swaps	(5)	(6)	(16)	(19)
Interest Income [Member] \| Interest rate swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Reclassed from Accumulated OCI into Income on Interest Rate Swaps	(1)	(8)	(5)	(31)
Derivative related income [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net, Total	7	2	6	(1)
Derivative related income [Member] \| Currency swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Currency Swaps	6		5	(5)
Derivative related income [Member] \| Interest rate swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Interest Rate Swaps	$ 1	$ 2	$ 1	$ 4