The initial stages of Cu, Ag and Zn electrodeposition processes are investigated in a magnetic (B) field superimposed perpendicularly to an Au(1 1 1) electrode. Cyclic voltammetry shows no B field effects on the monolayer formation at underpotentials. On the other hand, the nucleation in the overpotential region is clearly inhibited. Since these phenomena are independent of the magnetic susceptibility of the metal species, the present results may be interpreted in terms of B field effects on the surface diffusion of ad-atoms or the 2D diffusion layer formation. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.