No definition available.

Name:	hsbcusa_DepositsFixedMaturities
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Deposits without fixed maturities.

No definition available.

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

This element represents the portion of long term debt that the entity has elected to value at fair value under the fair value option.

No definition available.

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

Non-derivative trading assets fair value disclosure.

No definition available.

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

Non derivative trading liability.

No definition available.

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

Short-term financial assets fair value disclosure.

No definition available.

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DepositsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure. This item represents the aggregate of all deposit liabilities held by the entity, including foreign and domestic, interest and noninterest bearing; may include demand deposits, saving deposits, negotiable orders of withdrawal (NOW) and time deposits among others.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DepositsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Fair values as of the balance sheet date of all assets resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, net of the effects of master netting arrangements.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 6

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-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FIN39-1

-Paragraph 10A, 10B

-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.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Paragraph 4, 17

-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.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13495-108611

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
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Derivative instrument obligations meeting the definition of a liability which the Company is a party to as of the balance sheet date.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 15

-Paragraph 83

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6913464&loc=d3e34841-113949

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph i

-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.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 6

-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.

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. The amount shown on an entity's books for federal funds sold and securities borrowed or purchased under agreements to resell.

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-DEP

-Paragraph 4

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-Chapter 14

-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.

Name:	us-gaap_FederalFundsSoldAndSecuritiesBorrowedOrPurchasedUnderAgreementsToResellFairValueDisclosure
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- Details

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Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of commercial loans and leases receivable including, but not limited to, commercial and industrial loans, agricultural loans, mortgage loans, promissory notes, interbank and other loans to financial institutions, draws against credit facilities, trade financing, lease financings. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 01-6

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph e

-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.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

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-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6375948&loc=d3e4428-111522

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=d3e5066-111524

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmountCommercial
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Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of consumer loans, including, but not limited to, mortgage, home equity, vehicles, credit card, installment, and lease financing. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetReportedAmountConsumer
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents loans held-for-sale as presented on the statement of financial position which may include mortgage loans held-for-sale, finance receivables held-for-sale, or any other loans classified as held-for-sale which are due the Company as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LoansHeldForSaleFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The aggregate carrying amount of loans receivable that will be sold to other entities. Includes mortgage and all other loans (collectively, loans) not classified as held for investment. Such loans are stated at the lower of cost or market, or elected fair value. Mortgage loans exclude mortgage-backed securities which are considered a debt security (other loan).

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 65

-Paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 28, 29

-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.

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 01-6

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph d

-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.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph a

-Article 9

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 65

-Paragraph 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.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

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-Publisher OTS

-Name Federal Regulation (FR)

-Number Title 12

-Section 563c.102

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph h

-Chapter V

-Subsection I

-LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 49

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16382521&loc=d3e3084-111518

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(a))

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

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 948

-SubTopic 310

-Section 30

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6490209&loc=d3e48214-111002

Name:	us-gaap_LoansReceivableHeldForSaleNet
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The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

No definition available.

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

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure. This item represents the aggregate of securities borrowed from broker-dealers or institutions (a) to deliver them in place of securities not available because of short-sales or late or ineffective deliveries; (b) to lend them in connection with finder or conduit transactions; and (c) to be used for other purposes permitted under federal regulations.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_SecuritiesBorrowedFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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No definition available.