Australian Foundation Investment Company holds $1.9 billion worth of shares in the big four banks and managing director Ross Barker says the practical outcome of what he describes as a "strange" message the federal government is sending to investors, is that bank dividends will be cut further.

AFIC and fellow listed investment companies Argo Investments and Milton Corporation have a heavy exposure to banks and are wincing more than most after the federal budget, as uncertainty swirls about whether the banks will now make shareholders bear the brunt of its new $6.2 billion bank levy.