Current Status of Particle Searches at the B Factories

The B factories, {\mbox{\slshape B\kern-0.1em{\smaller A}\kern-0.1em B\kern-0.1em{\smaller A\kern-0.2em R}}} and Belle, are well known for their contributions to the understanding of CP violation. Efficient 4$\pi$ detectors and large integrated luminosities, combined with the very clean event structure found in $e^+e^-$ collisions create an environment that is also ideal for particle searches and studies of rare decays. We will review the status of these searches and discuss the properties of some of the new states which have been observed.