Abstract: A process for metals passivation of metals-contaminated equilibrium catalyst (ECat) used in a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) process is disclosed. Repeated treatment of a slip stream of ECat in a high-strength magnetic field, preferably a magnetic catalyst separator, changes the properties of the ECat, promoting growth of relatively large crystals or deposits of metal deposits on ECat which are less catalytically poisonous. Magnetic conditioning permits an increase in metals levels on ECat from, e.g., 3000 to 4000 ppm, without increasing hydrogen and/or coke make. Metals passivation by magnetic conditioning can also be used to concentrate feed metals on the oldest catalyst in the unit. This allows magnetic separation of the oldest catalyst in the unit after 1-6 months of magnetic conditioning, even though feed metals levels are otherwise insufficient to permit effective magnetic catalyst separation.