Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits-Future Payments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Postretirement Plans Other Than Pensions [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015	$ 5
2016	6
2017	6
2018	6
2019	6
2020-2024	27
Hsbc North America [Member] \| HSBC North America Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015	169
2016	172
2017	175
2018	177
2019	181
2020-2024	$ 962

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Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the five fiscal years after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (f)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of benefits from a defined benefit plan expected to be paid in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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