Carrying Amount At Period End of Residential Mortgage Loans Serviced By Affiliates

No definition available.

Name:	hsbcusa_CarryingAmountAtPeriodEndofResidentialMortgageLoansServicedByAffiliates
Namespace Prefix:	hsbcusa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Loan and lease receivable extended loan and line of credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hsbcusa_LoanAndLeaseReceivableExtendedLoanAndLineOfCreditFacility
Namespace Prefix:	hsbcusa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Loan and lease receivable revolving line of credit outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hsbcusa_LoanAndLeaseReceivableRevolvingLineOfCreditOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	hsbcusa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of maturity of line of credit.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hsbcusa_PeriodOfMaturityOfLineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	hsbcusa_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related Party Transaction, Lending Arrangement, Line of Credit Facility, Amount Maturing Period One

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hsbcusa_RelatedPartyTransactionLendingArrangementLineofCreditFacilityAmountMaturingPeriodOne
Namespace Prefix:	hsbcusa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Related Party Transaction, Lending Arrangement, Line of Credit Facility, Amount Maturing Period Three

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hsbcusa_RelatedPartyTransactionLendingArrangementLineofCreditFacilityAmountMaturingPeriodThree
Namespace Prefix:	hsbcusa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Related Party Transaction, Lending Arrangement, Line of Credit Facility, Amount Maturing Period Two

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hsbcusa_RelatedPartyTransactionLendingArrangementLineofCreditFacilityAmountMaturingPeriodTwo
Namespace Prefix:	hsbcusa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Related Party Transaction, Liquidity Facility, Notional Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hsbcusa_RelatedPartyTransactionLiquidityFacilityNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	hsbcusa_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 12

-Section 13

-Sentence Column B

+ Details

Name:	invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of the assets less the liabilities of a derivative or group of derivatives.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13433-108611

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13495-108611

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41271-113958

+ Details

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

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, reflects the carrying amount of unpaid loan amounts due from related parties at the balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 850

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(e))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph e

-Article 9

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

Income earned by providing the use of assets to an outside party in exchange for a payment or series of payments that is nonoperating in nature.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis=us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=hsbcusa_SupportServicesFromAffiliatesMember
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=hsbcusa_HmusMember
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=hsbcusa_HNAIMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=hsbcusa_HSBCBankBrasilMember
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=hsbcusa_HsbcFinanceMember
Namespace Prefix:
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=hsbcusa_HsbcInvestmentsMember
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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount	$ 4,737,184,000,000invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount		$ 4,829,655,000,000invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
HSBC Investment Bahamas [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	805,000,000		805,000,000
Amount outstanding under the loan agreement	0		0
HSBC North America Inc. HNAI [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	150,000,000		150,000,000
Amount outstanding under the loan agreement	0		0
HSBC Finance Corporation [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Related Parties	3,014,000,000		3,014,000,000
HSBC Finance Corporation [Member] \| Extended Uncommitted Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt term	364 days
Extended loans and lines of credit	5,000,000,000.0		5,000,000,000
Loan And Lease Receivable Revolving Line Of Credit Outstanding	3,000,000,000		3,000,000,000
Maximum maturity for borrowings under uncommitted revolving credit agreement	5 years
Credit agreement, amount maturing September 2017	512,000,000
Credit agreement amount maturing January 2018	1,500,000,000
Credit agreement amount maturing September 2018	1,000,000,000
HSBC Finance Corporation [Member] \| Extended committed revolving credit facility [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Extended loans and lines of credit	1,000,000,000		1,000,000,000
Loan And Lease Receivable Revolving Line Of Credit Outstanding	0		0
HMUS [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Extended loans and lines of credit	6,700,000,000		6,700,000,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Related Parties	764,000,000		563,000,000
Loan And Lease Receivable Revolving Line Of Credit Outstanding	764,000,000		563,000,000
HSBC Bank Brasil [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Extended loans and lines of credit	1,200,000,000		1,200,000,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Related Parties	1,110,000,000		1,108,000,000
Loan And Lease Receivable Revolving Line Of Credit Outstanding	1,100,000,000		1,100,000,000
Other Affiliates [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Extended loans and lines of credit	2,300,000,000		2,300,000,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Related Parties	128,000,000		136,000,000
Loan And Lease Receivable Revolving Line Of Credit Outstanding	0		0
Regency [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Liquidity Facility, Notional Amount	2,700,000,000
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Related Parties	5,016,000,000		4,821,000,000
Derivative, notional amount	1,063,200,000,000		1,082,600,000,000
Fair value of derivative assets and liabilities	1,089,000,000		1,166,000,000
Residential Mortgage [Member] \| HSBC Finance Corporation [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Carrying Amount At Period End of Residential Mortgage Loans Serviced By HSBC Finance	804,000,000		837,000,000
90-Day LIBOR Plus Spread [Member] \| Floating Rate Notes [Member] \| Hnah [Member] \| Senior debt [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Senior debt			4,000,000,000.0
Support Services From Affiliates [Member] \| Affiliated Entity [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Rent from related party	$ 15,000,000	$ 14,000,000