UPDATE 1-Merkel presses for coordination on financial reform

UPDATE 1-Merkel presses for coordination on financial reform

* German chancellor calls for international bank taxation

* Germany worried about exit strategy plans in Europe

* Wants European rating agency

BERLIN, May 20 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday called for a global levy on banks, a new European rating agency and a co-ordinated exit from stimulus measures as Germany stepped up efforts to drive financial regulatory reform.

With markets still digesting the unilateral ban on some forms of speculative trading that Berlin introduced on Tuesday, Merkel said international efforts to get the financial system back on track should be stepped up.

"The issue of exit strategies is of great importance to us... I am quite concerned about this issue," Merkel told a financial conference.

"Others say I can only have an exit strategy as soon as I have reduced the unemployment rate, that is contradictory... We will focus on a co-ordinated exit strategy in Europe."

She said Germany would push its partners to introduce taxes on banks. "Accountability is what is required in every state and I don't think it will ruin financial markets if we could agree on an international taxation.

"We will push for a tax on the financial markets... at the summit in Canada. It is not something that will be agreed at our first dinner at this summit. There will be many caveats."

She also said a European rating agency should be set up as an alternative to the big private agencies, which some have accused of underestimating risk before the financial crisis and, more recently, stoking the Greek debt crisis.

"The relationship between policymaking and rating agencies is a very tricky one and an interesting subject that needs to be addressed.

"I would be in favour of introducing a European rating agency which would act as a competitor to other rating agencies within a level playing field," she said.