Solid-state ion exchange of Ni(II), Cu(I) and Zn(II) ions into zeolite Y has been proven by XAS. In the case of nickel the exchange starts already during compression of the components. The oxidation state is unchanged apart from smaller edge shifts during hydration-dehydration. The determined Mn+-O distances are generally too small for coordination to the proximal oxygens in the zeolite six ring. Therefore either asymmetric cation positions or, more probably, formation of M-O-M species is tentatively assumed.