Do banks need XRP to use Ripple?

Could you please clarify for me, do banks actually require XRP in order to utilize Ripple's technology? It's a bit confusing to me, as I've heard differing opinions on this matter. On one hand, some say that XRP serves as a bridge currency, facilitating cross-border payments and reducing transaction costs. On the other hand, others argue that banks can still use Ripple's platform without necessarily holding or using XRP. I'm trying to understand the true necessity of XRP in Ripple's ecosystem and how it fits into the broader financial landscape. Could you shed some light on this for me? Thank you in advance for your clarification.