Intangible Assets - Residential MSRs Activity (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair value of MSRs:
Beginning balance	$ 227us-gaap_ServicingAssetAtFairValueAmount	$ 168us-gaap_ServicingAssetAtFairValueAmount
Additions related to loan sales	0	14
Changes in fair value due to:
Changes in fair value due to changes in valuation model inputs or assumptions	(38)	88
Reductions related to customer payments	(30)	(43)
Ending balance	$ 159us-gaap_ServicingAssetAtFairValueAmount	$ 227us-gaap_ServicingAssetAtFairValueAmount

Name:	hsbcusa_ChangesInFairValueDueToAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	hsbcusa_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The value of new servicing assets, subsequently measured at fair value, acquired or created during the current period through purchases or from transfers of financial assets.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 860

-SubTopic 50

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7882072&loc=d3e122625-111746

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ServicingAssetAtFairValueAdditions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of an asset representing net future revenue from contractually specified servicing fees, late charges, and other ancillary revenues, in excess of future costs related to servicing arrangements.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 860

-SubTopic 50

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7882072&loc=d3e122625-111746

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ServicingAssetAtFairValueAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

- Definition

The net increase or decrease in fair value as a result of changes in the inputs used to calculate the fair value of servicing assets.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 860

-SubTopic 50

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(4)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7882072&loc=d3e122625-111746

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ServicingAssetAtFairValueChangesInFairValueResultingFromChangesInValuationInputs
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net Increase or Decrease in fair value as a result of other changes that are not additions, disposals, or a result of change in the inputs, assumptions, or model used to calculate the fair value of servicing assets.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 860

-SubTopic 50

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(4)(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7882072&loc=d3e122625-111746

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ServicingAssetAtFairValueOtherChangesInFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration