The complex variable reproducing kernel particle method (CVRKPM) and the FEM are coupled in this paper to analyze the two-dimensional potential problems. The coupled method not only conveniently imposes the essential boundary conditions, but also exploits the advantages of the individual methods while avoiding their disadvantages, resulting in improved computational efficiency. A hybrid approximation function is applied to combine the CVRKPM with the FEM. Formulations of the coupled method are presented in detail. Three numerical examples of the two-dimensional potential problems are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new method.