UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

Commission File Number: 0-18832

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401(K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

(Full title of the plan)

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

(Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the Plan)

2323 Ring Road, Elizabethtown, Kentucky 42701

(Address of principal executive offices)

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401(K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2011 and 2010

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401(K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2011 and 2010

CONTENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM	1
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS	2
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS	3
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	4
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i-SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)	11

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Plan Administrator

First Financial Service Corporation

401(k)/Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the First Financial Service Corporation 401(k)/Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “Plan”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2011 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental Schedule H, Line 4i-Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic 2011 financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic 2011 financial statements taken as a whole.

Crowe Horwath LLP

South Bend, Indiana

June 28, 2012

1.

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401 (K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

December 31, 2011 and 2010

	2011		2010
ASSETS
Investments, at fair value (Note 3):
First Financial Service Corporation common stock	$	346,571	$	963,064
Mutual funds		10,912,234		11,535,538
Money market deposit accounts		43,257		44,760
Self directed investments		80,705		73,436
Total Investments		11,382,767		12,616,798
Receivables:
Notes receivable from participants		474,442		374,026
Total Receivables		474,442		374,026
Total Assets		11,857,209		12,990,824
LIABILITIES		-		-
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS	$	11,857,209	$	12,990,824

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

2.

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401 (K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

Year Ended December 31, 2011

Additions to net assets attributed to:	2011
Dividends	$	145,872
Interest income on notes receivable from participants		19,016
Other Income		45,000
Contributions:
Employer		505,434
Employee, before and after tax		593,431
Rollovers		13,995
Total additions		1,322,748
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
Distributions		1,189,421
Administrative expenses		18,814
Net depreciation in fair value of investments		1,248,128
Total deductions		2,456,363
Net decrease		1,133,615
Net assets available for benefits, beginning of year		12,990,824
End of year	$	11,857,209

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

3.

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401 (K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2011 and 2010

NOTE 1 - PLAN DESCRIPTION

The following brief description of the First Financial Service Corporation 401(k)/Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “Plan”) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan Agreement for a complete description of the Plan’s provisions. The sponsor of the Plan is First Financial Service Corporation (the “Company” or “Employer”).

General: The Plan is a defined contribution plan covering substantially all employees of First Financial Service Corporation, a bank holding company and its subsidiaries, which include First Federal Savings Bank, First Service Corporation of Elizabethtown, Heritage Properties, LLC and First Federal Office Park, LLC (collectively the “Company”).

Employees of the Company are eligible for participation in the Plan upon the completion of at least 1,000 hours of service in one full year. The employee becomes a participant on the first day of the month following fulfillment of this requirement. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).

Within the Plan, there are two parts, the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) and a 401(k) portion. The Company makes contributions to these parts as determined by the Plan document, the Company’s Board of Directors, and within the guidelines of ERISA and the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service.

Contributions: Participants may contribute up to 50% of their compensation up to the maximum amount allowed by the IRS through regular payroll deductions under the 401(k) provisions of the Plan. Participants may also make contributions after taxes are withheld. The employer matches 100% of the employee contributions up to 6% of the employee’s compensation. If the employee does not contribute at least 2% of their compensation, then the employer makes a minimum contribution of 2% of the employee’s compensation. To be eligible to receive an Employer contribution, a participant must work 1,000 hours in the plan year. Employer contributions under the ESOP are at the discretion of the Employer’s Board of Directors. For 2011, the Board of Directors decided not to make an ESOP contribution to the Plan. ESOP contributions are allocated based on the participant’s allocable share of the Company contribution, which is based on compensation.

Participant Accounts: Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contributions and an allocation of the Employer contributions and Plan earnings, and is charged with his or her withdrawals and an allocation of administrative expenses. Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances, as defined. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account. All participants are eligible to diversify their Employer ESOP contributions immediately.

Retirement, Death and Disability: A participant is entitled to 100% of their account balance upon retirement, death or disability.

Vesting: Participants are immediately vested in the Employer’s ESOP contributions, their voluntary contributions and the matching contributions plus actual earnings thereon.

Payment of Benefits: Upon retirement, permanent disability or death, a participant or his or her designated beneficiary may elect to receive the amount credited to his or her account in a lump-sum distribution, or in equal installments over a period not exceeding the life expectancy of the participant. If a participant’s account balance exceeds $5,000, no portion of the account balance will be distributed as a lump-sum without the participant’s consent.

(Continued)

4.

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401 (K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2011 and 2010

NOTE 1 - PLAN DESCRIPTION (Continued)

Investment Options: Each participant may direct their contributions and the Company’s matching contribution to any of the investment options available under the Plan, including the Company’s common stock. Employer ESOP contributions are made in the form of First Financial Service Corporation common stock.

Effective January 1, 2007, the Plan was amended to allow transfers out of the First Financial Service Corporation common stock for all types of contribution accounts which hold Qualifying Employer Securities—including the ESOP Contribution Account. This rule applies to all participants for their entire account invested in Employer Stock, and to any beneficiary who has an account under the Plan and is entitled to exercise the rights of a participant. If the participant elects to transfer some or all of their account out of First Financial Service Corporation common stock, they can then direct the investment of that amount into other investment options offered by the Plan.

Voting Rights: While the Plan entitles its trustee to vote Company shares held by the Plan, the Company currently permits participants to vote Company shares allocated to their account. Participants are notified by the trustee prior to the time such votes are to be executed.

Notes Receivable from Participants: Participants may borrow up to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of the vested portion of their account balance, subject to certain restrictions, in accordance with interest rates and collateral requirements established by the Plan. Principal and interest are paid through payroll deductions.

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Accounting: The financial statements of the Plan are prepared under the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the plan administrator to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures, and actual results may differ from these estimates.

Risks and Uncertainties for Investments: The Plan provides for certain investment options. The underlying investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market, liquidity and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the statement of net assets available for benefits and participants’ individual account balances. The Plan has an investment in First Financial Service Corporation common stock amounting to $346,571 and $963,064 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. This amount represents 3% and 7% of net assets available for benefits as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Notes Receivable from Participants: Notes receivable from participants are reported at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest, with no allowance for credit losses, as repayments of principal and interest are received through payroll deductions and the notes are collateralized by the participants’ account balances.

Payment of Benefits: Benefits are recorded when paid.

(Continued)

5.

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401 (K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2011 and 2010

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition: The Plan’s investments are reported at fair value. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Net appreciation (depreciation) includes the plan’s gains and losses on investments bought and sold as well as held during the year.

Fair value is the price that would be received by the Plan for an asset or paid by the Plan to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date in the Plan’s principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The effect of a change in valuation technique or its application on a fair value estimate is accounted for prospectively as a change in accounting estimate. When evaluating indications of fair value resulting from the use of multiple valuation techniques, the Plan is to select the point within the resulting range of reasonable estimates of fair value that is most representative of fair value under current market conditions. Fair value measurements are determined by maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs. The hierarchy places the highest priority on unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and gives the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of inputs within the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect the Plan’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

(Continued)

6.

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401 (K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2011 and 2010

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

In some cases, a valuation technique used to measure fair value may include inputs from multiple levels of the fair value hierarchy. The lowest level of significant input determines the placement of the entire fair value measurement in the hierarchy.

The following descriptions of the valuation methods and assumptions used by the Plan to estimate the fair values of investments apply to investments held directly by the Plan.

Mutual funds: The fair values of mutual fund investments are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (level 1 inputs).

Common stock: The fair values of common stock, including First Financial Service Corporation common stock, are determined by obtaining quoted prices from a nationally recognized exchange (level 1 inputs).

Money market deposit accounts: Fair values of money market deposit account balances have been determined based upon their quoted redemption prices and recent transaction prices of $1.00 per share (level 2 inputs), with no discounts for credit quality or liquidity restrictions, even though net asset values per share may fluctuate from the $1.00 targeted redemption price. The Plan’s investments in money market deposit accounts occasionally exceed federally insured balances.

Savings deposit accounts: Fair values are estimated to approximate deposit account balances, payable on demand, as no discounts for credit quality or liquidity were determined to be applicable (level 2 inputs).

The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use ofdifferent methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

(Continued)

7.

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401 (K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2011 and 2010

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

	Fair Value Measurements
	at December 31, 2011 Using
	Quoted Prices in		Significant
	Active Markets		Other		Significant
	for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Investments:
First Financial Service Corporation common stock	$	346,571	$	-	$	-
Mutual funds:
Growth		4,018,492		-
Growth and income		2,374,323		-		-
Equity and income		849,303		-		-
Bond		1,019,489		-		-
Money market		2,650,627		-		-
Money market deposit accounts		-		43,257		-
Self directed brokerage accounts:
Common stock		16,265		-		-
Money market deposit accounts		-		64,440		-

	Fair Value Measurements
	at December 31, 2010 Using
	Quoted Prices in		Significant
	Active Markets		Other		Significant
	for Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Investments:
First Financial Service Corporation common stock	$	963,064	$	-	$	-
Mutual funds:
Growth		5,164,390		-		-
Growth and income		2,504,707		-		-
Equity and income		899,860		-		-
Bond		921,017		-		-
Money market		2,045,564		-		-
Money market deposit accounts		-		44,760		-
Self directed brokerage accounts:
Common stock		7,843		-		-
Money market deposit accounts		-		65,593		-

(Continued)

8.

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401 (K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2011 and 2010

NOTE 3 - INVESTMENTS

The following presents investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets available for benefits.

	2011		2010
Investments at fair value:
*First Financial Service Corporation common stock Mutual funds:	$	346,571	$	963,064
American Capital Income Builder, Inc. R3		753,803		832,565
American Capital World Growth and Income R3		812,874		924,959
American Smallcap World Fund R3		800,898		1,338,774
*Ivy Global Natural Resources Fund A		589,895		753,690
Pimco Pacific Investment Total Return Fund A		665,656		673,383
**Vanguard Indexed Small Cap		647,947		620,512
Vanguard Index Trust-500 Portfolio		759,208		873,077
American Money Market Fund R3		2,650,627		2,045,564

* As of December 31, 2011, the Plan’s position in First Financial Service Corporation common stock and Ivy Global Natural Resources Fund A was not 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets available for benefits.

**As of December 31, 2010, the Plan’s position in Vanguard Indexed Small Cap was not 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets available for benefits.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Plan’s investments (including investments bought, sold and held during the year) depreciated in value as follows:

First Financial Service Corporation common stock	$	569,237
Mutual funds		678,891
Net depreciation	$	1,248,128

Dividends and interest for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $164,888.

NOTE 4 - INCOME TAX STATUS

The Internal Revenue Service has determined and informed the Company by a letter dated January 24, 2008, that the Plan and related trust are designed in accordance with applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Management believes the Plan is qualified under the appropriated requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.

NOTE 5 - PLAN TERMINATION

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA and its related regulations.

(Continued)

9.

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401 (K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2011 and 2010

NOTE 6 - PARTY-IN-INTEREST TRANSACTIONS

Parties-in-interest are defined under the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations as any fiduciary of the Plan, any party rendering service to the Plan, the employer and certain others. Investment management fees and operating expenses charged to the Plan for investments are deducted from income earned on investments and are not separately reflected. Consequently, investment management fees and operating expenses paid to parties in interest are reflected as a reduction of investment return for such investments. Professional fees of approximately $18,814 were paid for the administration of the Plan by the Plan for the year ended December 31, 2011. McCready and Keene, Inc. is the record keeper of the plan and is considered a party-in-interest. Notes receivable from participants also qualify as party-in-interest transactions.

The Plan has an investment in First Financial Service Corporation common stock amounting to $346,571 and $963,064 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. The Plan held 226,517 and 236,625 shares of First Financial Service Corporation common stock at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and recognized dividend income of $0 during 2011 from its investments in the Employer common stock.

(Continued)

10.

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401(K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Schedule H, Line 4i-Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

December 31, 2011 

Name of Plan Sponsor: First Financial Service Corporation

Employer Identification Number: 61-1168311

Three-digit Plan Number: 003

(a)
Party	(b)	(c)		(e)
in	Identity of Issue, Borrower,	Description of Investments Including	(d)	Current
Interest	Lessor or Similar Party	Maturity Date and Rate of Interest	Cost	Value
*	First Financial Service Corporation	Common Stock	#	$	346,571
	American Funds	AMCAP Fund, Inc. R3	#		486,696
	American Funds	Capital Income Builder, Inc. R3	#		753,803
	American Funds	Capital World Growth and Income R3	#		812,874
	American Funds	Europacific Growth Fund R3	#		257,839
	American Funds	New Economy Fund R3	#		188,027
	American Funds	New Perspective Fund R3	#		509,607
	American Funds	New World Fund R3	#		342,261
	American Funds	Smallcap World Fund R3	#		800,898
	American Funds	Washington Mutual Investors R3	#		475,128
	American Funds	Income Fund of America R3	#		95,499
	American Funds	Investment Company of America R3	#		327,114
	American Funds	Money Market R3	#		2,650,627
	Ivy Funds	Global Natural Resources Fund A	#		589,895
	Pimco Funds	Global Bond A	#		353,833
	Pimco Funds	Pacific Investment Total Return Fund A	#		665,656
	Vanguard Funds	Indexed Small Cap	#		647,947
	Vanguard Funds	Index Trust-500 Portfolio	#		759,208
	Vanguard Funds	Total Intl Stock Index Portfolio	#		195,322
	Total Mutual Funds				10,912,234
	Bank USA	Money Market	#		43,257
	Ameritrade	Self Directed Brokerage	#		80,705
*	Notes receivable from participants	Participant Loans with interest rates ranging from 4.25% - 9.25%	#		474,442
	Total			$	11,857,209

* Represents parties-in-interest

# Investment is participant directed therefore historical cost is not included.

11.

FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION

401(K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

FORM 11-K

DECEMBER 31, 2011

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		FIRST FINANCIAL SERVICE CORPORATION
		401(K)/EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
Date: June 28, 2012	By:	/s/ Frank Perez
		Frank Perez
		Chief Financial Officer
		First Financial Service Corporation

12.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
23.1	Consent of Crowe Horwath LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm (filed herewith).

13.