Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits-Assumptions (Details)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
HSBC North America Pension Plan [Member]
Net Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.25%	3.60%	4.25%
Expected long-term rate of return on Plan assets	5.50%	5.50%	5.50%
Postretirement Plans Other Than Pensions [Member]
Projected Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.15%	3.45%	3.95%
Salary increase assumption	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Net Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.45%	3.95%	3.95%
Salary increase assumption	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%

Weighted average rate for present value of future retirement benefits cash flows, used to determine benefit obligation of defined benefit plan.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (k)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108410482&loc=d3e1928-114920

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- Definition

Weighted average rate increase of compensation, used to determine benefit obligation of defined benefit plan. Plan includes, but is not limited to, pay-related defined benefit plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (k)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108410482&loc=d3e1928-114920

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- Definition

Weighted average rate for present value of future retirement benefits cash flows, used to determine net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit plan.

+ References

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- Definition

Weighted average rate of return on plan assets, reflecting average rate of earnings expected on existing plan assets and expected contributions, used to determine net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (k)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108410482&loc=d3e1928-114920

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- Definition

Weighted average rate of compensation increase used to determine net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit plan. Plan includes, but is not limited to, pay-related defined benefit plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (k)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108410482&loc=d3e1928-114920

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