Loans - Components of Loans (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total loans	$ 67,695		$ 63,258		$ 51,867
Commercial Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total commercial	48,494		44,150
Total loans	48,494		44,150
Commercial Loan [Member] | Construction and Other Real Estate [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total commercial	9,034		8,457
Total loans	9,034		8,457		7,860
Commercial Loan [Member] | Business and Corporate Banking [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total commercial	14,446		12,608
Total loans	14,446		12,608		10,225
Commercial Loan [Member] | Global Banking [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total commercial	21,625	[1],[2]	20,009	[1],[2]
Total loans	21,625		20,009		12,658
Commercial Loan [Member] | Other Commercial [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total commercial	3,389		3,076
Total loans	3,389		3,076		2,906
Consumer Loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total consumer	19,201		19,108
Total loans	19,201		19,108
Consumer Loans [Member] | Residential Mortgage [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total consumer	15,826		15,371
Total loans	15,826	[3]	15,371		14,113
Consumer Loans [Member] | Home Equity Mortgages [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total consumer	2,011		2,324
Total loans	2,011		2,324		2,563
Consumer Loans [Member] | Credit Cards [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total consumer	854		815
Total loans	854	[4]	815		828
Consumer Loans [Member] | Other consumer
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Total consumer	510		598
Total loans	$ 510		$ 598		$ 714

[1] Represents large multinational firms including globally focused U.S. corporate and financial institutions and U.S. Dollar lending to multinational banking customers managed by HSBC on a global basis as well as loans to HSBC affiliates.

[2] Includes loans to HSBC affiliates of $5.3 billion and $4.5 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. See Note 22, "Related Party Transactions" for additional information regarding loans to HSBC affiliates.

[3] Home equity mortgages maturities reflect estimates based on historical payment patterns.

[4] As credit card receivables do not have stated maturities, the table reflects estimates based on historical payment patterns.